Innovation essential for growth of India: Kota Harinarayana

CUTTACK: With many countries sniping at India’s heels, only innovation will keep India ahead of the pack, said eminent defence scientist Kota Harinarayana.
Speaking at the 8th convocation ceremony of Ravenshaw University here on Saturday, Harinarayana urged students and universities in the country to focus more on innovation and research activities as it would help to generate wealth and reduce poverty.
Harinarayan, who is better known for his contribution in developing light combat aircraft, said that India’s transformation into a global economic force is yet to benefit majority of Indians. There is massive unmet need for basic services such as water, energy, health care, transportation, housing and through innovation solution for all these problems can be achieved.
“Our infrastructure is creaking, agriculture has stagnated with marginal growth and our manufacturing sector’s performance is below par. Our imports exceed our exports. We continue to depend on imports to meet our defence requirements. Innovation is essential to ensure India’s growth,” said Harinarayana. “We must recognize that everything we know and operate becomes obsolete over time. Continuous renewal is the name of the game to remain alive and kicking,” added Padamshree award winner.
Harinarayana advised universities to tie up with research laboratories and industries to provide a platform to their students to take up research challenges. “The innovation dream can be realized only when we network our universities with research and development laboratories and industries,” said the scientist.
Governor S C Jamir, who is also chancellor of the university, also stressed on the need to promote research activities in universities. “If education is bedrock of the university, then research excellencies are the defining feature of our institutional landscape,” said Jamir.
Urging universities to promote and propagate research programmes, Jamir said “It is for the university to nurture yound minds and sparkle with innovation ,”. Vice chancellor of the university P C Sarangi and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
Meritorious students were awarded with gold medals while honoris causa was conferred on three eminent persons, including Prof Harinarayana. The other two awardees were noted philosopher Jitendra Nath Mohanty and academician Gour Kishore Das.