NATIONAL TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT, 2011
Research & Innovation - Inclusive Growth
7th JUNE 2011
Venue: Le Meridien

As BSB is the member of ASSOCHAM, it is the privilege to be a part of all the important conferences, forums and summits at national level. The students and the faculty attended the conference held on 7th June 2011 at Le Meridien on the raging topic Research & Innovation - Inclusive Growth. The conference started with the welcome address given by Shri R.N. Dhoot , Member of Parliament and president elect ASSOCHAM. He said technology has enabled humans to unfold the mysteries of universe."The government, academics and private sector must collaborate to create solutions required for local needs," he said. "Technological innovations should overcome challenges like poverty and food security for all Indians."

The team of panelists and the participants were introduced to the theme of the seminar by Prof Samir Brahmachari, Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research. He called for distributed co-creation and collaboration at scale to ensure that benefits of science and technology percolate down to the masses in every sphere of life - be it providing access to quality education and healthcare, or managing the environment.

He said the CSIR is identifying spin-out opportunities for start-up enterprises for rapid economic growth across the country.

Dr. K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization also addressed the participants on the theme. He said after launching space transportation satellites, India is now moving towards advanced communications satellites. The benefits of space research have touched millions of people in rural areas as well.

The Guest of Honor, Mr K. Kasturirangan, member of the Planning Commission, said the size of Indian economy at the end of the 11th five year plan is expected to be 1.8 trillion dollars and will reach six trillion dollars by the end of present decade and ten trillion dollars by 2025. "A matching response to this economic transition calls for a paradigm shift in the approach to science and technology," he said. "The focus has to be on output directed development path strategy for connecting knowledge and wealth generating activities, and making a tangible change in the socio-economic scenario."

The Chief Guest, Union minister for Science and Technology, Pawan Kumar Bansal today told to the Indian industry to increase its share of investments in research and development so that benefits of technological advancements and economic growth percolate down to the masses.

India spends 0.8 per cent of its GDP on R & D of which the private sector's contribution is only one-fourth, he said while addressing ASSOCHAM's National Technology Summit titled 'Research and Innovations for Inclusive Growth.'

The vote of thanks was proposed by ASSOCHAM secretary general D.S. Rawat said the chamber will strive to provide a platform for industry leaders and policy makers to debate such issues of crucial importance.

Mr Bansal said 82 per cent of R & D investments in Japan are by the private sector while Chinese businesses contribute 70 per cent of all R & D investments in the country.

"The Indian industry should collaborate with state institutions as science and technology play an important role in social and economic growth of a nation. Inclusive growth should be pursued by research and innovation in various fields," he said.

The minister said India has emerged as a major player in science and technology on the global horizon as fast-changing technologies and globalisation are continuing to re-write business rules.

Meanwhile, Mr K. Kasturirangan, member of the Planning Commission, said the size of Indian economy at the end of 11th five year plan is expected to be 1.8 trillion dollars and reach six trillion dollars by the end of present decade and ten trillion dollars by 2025.

"A matching response to this economic transition calls for a paradigm shift in the approach to science and technology," he said. "The focus has to be on output directed development path strategy for connecting knowledge and wealth generating activities, and making a tangible change in the socio-economic scenario."

Prof Samir Brahmachari, director general of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, called for distributed co-creation and collaboration at scale to ensure that benefits of science and technology percolate down to the masses in every sphere of life - be it providing access to quality education and healthcare, or managing the environment.

He said the CSIR is identifying spin-out opportunities for start-up enterprises for rapid economic growth across the country.

The full day conference was immensely informative and was interactive where each one from the audience was welcome to discuss and chime in with their suggestions and issues on e - governance research & innovation - inclusive growth