C-DAC scientists told to focus on affordable tech

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) has been told to work towards developing innovative and affordable technologies that will help grow India as a major power in research and development.

Addressing scientists and engineers at the C-DAC centre here on Wednesday, Dr Shashi Tharoor, said R & D in India has been growing in leaps and bounds in recent times.

QUALITY FOCUS

Technologists should now focus on quality since the much-touted cost advantage may not last for too long.

Current-day technologists have ceased to be those, who in olden times, lived in labs and insulated from the real world, Dr Tharoor said.

On the other hand, they are only too well aware of issues affecting the common man and are devising, deploying and improving solutions which suit the Indian conditions. The country's R & D capability has come to be recognised the world over. The best evidence for this is the fact that global majors such as Philips, General Electric and perhaps IBM have more R & D personnel stationed in India than elsewhere.

MODEL SHIFT

While India is extremely well-placed to call the shots in R & D, it is essential that concerned organisations move away from the ‘cost efficient' model and train their focus on ensuring quality of service.

Citing the example of mobile phone revolution in India, Dr Tharoor said information and communication technology has empowered ordinary people.

It is this empowerment that will pave the way for future innovations. Therefore the need if the hour was to develop affordable technologies.

Mr R. Ravindra Kumar, Executive Director, C-DAC, familiarised Dr Tharoor with the range of activities being carried out at C-DAC.

He was also taken to various labs where he interacted with scientists and engineers.

Dr Tharoor also watched the demonstration of various technologies and products developed in-house at C-DAC.

These included a digital programmable hearing aid, an acoustic landmine detector, hazardous object removal system, cyber forensics tools, a WiMAX base station, Area Traffic Control System, online plant automation system, an assessment and guidance tool for mentally challenged children and low cost mobile telemedicine systems.

According to Mr Ravindra Kumar, C-DAC would be expanding its operations to the Technopark facility where a building with a built-up area of 1.6 lakh sq ft will be operational within six months.

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