Engineering a Self-Reliant India

Prof. Harish Hirani, 

Director CSIR-CMERI

Science and Affordable Innovations can play a significant role in giving an adrenaline shot to the Nation’s Economy and consequently its prosperity. India has the advantage of having a favourable Demographic Dividend which can be leveraged as a facilitator towards making the nation a Global Economic Nerve Centre. The core competencies of the Youth can be fortified through the three-stage approach: “understanding Science”, “aptitude towards affordable Innovation” and “motivation towards “Skilling, Reskilling and Upskilling”. The CSIR-CMERI three-stage initiatives are shaped and created in tandem with some of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These initiatives will help develop a very competent Workforce to drive the Industries including MSMEs, which are the lifeline of the National Economy.

In today’s highly inter-connected society, the students and learners of Engineering face dynamic and ever-evolving challenges of developing Affordable and Ecology-Friendly Technology Interventions. These technologies, apart from functional requirements, are needed primarily to preserve the fragile Environment and generate the least Carbon Footprint. Therefore, the engineers having knowledge in various disciplines need to get associated with problem-solving to the maximum extent, and orient their minds towards seeking novel approaches by nurturing their minds in Situational-Analysis and Simulative Thinking. Every Complex Problem such as Municipal Waste Management, Plastic Management, Agricultural-Post Harvest Management, Water Purification Technologies, etc. can be solved by breaking it in a number of sub-problems. Through these efforts, CSIR-CMERI has been supporting the mandated Sustainable Development Goals. Some of the Goals specifically targeted by CSIR-CMERI are Clean Water and Sanitation, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Affordable and Clean Energy, Mechanized Scavenging, Farm mechanization, Industry services, etc.  

India is aspiring to be a leading Manufacturing hub and also eying for Self-Reliance on many parameters. For this a skilled work force is the first pre-requisite. Practical skills and First-Hand work exposure to the latest technology and not merely theoretical studies are the most important factors for turning an Engineering Graduate/Diploma into a Real technologist. On the one hand India is producing significant number of Engineering Graduates on the other hand there is a huge dearth of skilled manpower, equipped with exposure to the latest technologies being felt by the Industries. Answer to the question, ‘Why there is huge unemployment amongst the engineering Graduates in India?’ is that While most of the students remain engaged in “Exam Culture” with an objective only to qualify the exams and not understanding the priority and scope in undergoing practical exposure and hands-on experience and original thought process. An engineer having exposure and skills and equipped with latest theoretical knowledge will have the capability to handle numerous opportunities and challenges, besides there exists a feel of pride and satisfaction in providing sustainable solutions through technology development to the problems being faced by our society and the country. A culture of inquisitiveness, scientific temper, and an objective to take the challenges in order to provide solutions to the society creates a real Engineer.

National Labs and other public funded Institutions having state of the art infrastructure are expected to play a very important role in bridging his gap and thereby contributing towards Atma Nirbhar Bharat, in order to provide the scope of skills training and exposure to the latest technology and also in order to create a spark of inquisitiveness and service through Science and Technology innovations. CSIR-CMERI as a National lab considers this a National duty to create an ambience of thought provoking technological challenges and to facilitate skill training to the youth.   To instil a Sense of Pride amongst the Young Engineers, CSIR-CMERI has multiple avenues for these Potential Champions such as SKILL DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING PROGRAMME (https://www.cmeri.res.in/skill-development-training-programme), BoPT Apprenticeship Trainees -(https://www.facebook.com/CSIRCMERIDgp/photos/a.627037870809721/1273265486186953/),  besides many others. This will provide an appropriate platform for the budding Students to gain exposure to the latest technological advancements of a premier R&D Institute. CSIR-CMERI houses some of the State-of-the-Art Equipment Infrastructure, which can be accessed by the students to holistically comprehend the Engineering Sciences. Thus, CSIR-CMERI through its outreach efforts intends to reach out to the future Entrepreneurs and Trend-Setters and facilitate them to realise their Goals. The CSIR-CMERI established CRTDH is one such example. CSIR-CMERI is also organising a National-Level Essay Competition (https://www.facebook.com/CSIRCMERIDgp/posts/1668695136643984) to ensure that the Youth are able to further provide perspectives on boosting the Sustainability and Innovative factors of CSIR-CMERI technologies. Thus, in this manner Engineering may be considered as an effective tool for Self Reliant India.

In response to an often asked question, ‘Is it better to have a work experience before pursuing Master’s in Engineering?’ I had opined that if the students intend to establish themselves as a Self-Made Entrepreneur, having a hands-on Work Experience will go a long way in establishing the fundamentals of the student before seeking further Academic Education. It is very important for the Students to strengthen their Knowledge Fundamentals before jumping deep into any discipline. ‘Calculated Risks’, which leads towards the objectives/goals, is the key strategy towards achieving Success. In doing so he/she might make numerous mistakes, however such mistakes will provide valuable experience and a learning curve for further improvisation of R&D approach.  Different Circumstances require Different Solutions and thus having a Dynamic and Responsive Mind-set is the key.  Reverse Thinking by strengthening the Fundamentals of the paradigm is critical to a Professional’s Life, even at advanced stages of Academic Career. The Engineers can play a substantial role towards realising this success story