'Research Is Very Vital'

(Excerpts from the address delivered by former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam during the first convocation of the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram on June 28, 2012)

The information technology and communication technology have already converged leading to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Information Technology combined with bio-technology has led to bio-informatics. Similarly, Photonics is grown out from the labs to converge with classical Electronics and Microelectronics to bring in new high speed options in consumer products. Flexible and unbreakable displays using thin layer of film on transparent polymers have emerged as new symbols of entertainment and media tools. Now, nano-technology has come in. It is the field of the future that will replace microelectronics and many fields with tremendous application potential in the areas of medicine, electronics and material science. I am sure about the use of nano-robot for drug delivery. When Nano technology and ICT meet, integrated silicon electronics, photonics are born and it can be said that material convergence will happen. With material convergence and biotechnology linked, a new science called Intelligent Bioscience will be born which would lead to a disease free, happy and more intelligent human habitat with longevity and high human capabilities. Convergence of bio-nano-info technologies can lead to the development of nano robots. Nano robots when they are injected into a patient, my expert friends say, it will diagnose and deliver the treatment exclusively in the affected area and then the nano-robot gets digested as it is a DNA based product. I saw the product sample in one of the labs in South Korea where best of minds with multiple technology work with a target of finding out of the box solution.

Last year, I was in the Harvard University where I visited laboratories of many eminent professors from the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. I recall, how Professor Hongkun Park, showed me his invention of nano needles, which can pierce and deliver content into individual targeted cells. That's how nano particle sciences is shaping the bio sciences. Then I met Professor Vinod Manoharan, who showed on the other hand bio sciences is in turn shaping nano material science as well. He is using DNA material to design self assembling particles. When particular type of DNA is applied on a particle at the atomic level, he is able to generate a prefixed behavior and automatic assembly from them. This could be our answer to self assembly of devices and colonies in deep space without human intervention as envisioned by Dr K Erik Drexler. Thus, within a single research building, I saw how two different sciences are shaping each other without any iron curtain between the technologists. This reciprocating contribution of sciences to one another is going to shape our future and industry needs to be ready for it.

Friends, a nation's Economic development is powered by competitiveness. Competitiveness is powered by knowledge power. Knowledge power is powered by Technology and innovation. That's real challenge for scientific community that can take results of technology and enrich the life of rural 750 million people.

When I was studying the Global innovation report for the year 2011, I found that as per Global Innovation Index, Switzerland is ranked 1; Sweden 2; Singapore 3; Hong Kong 4; and India 62. There is a relationship between innovation index and competitiveness. While India is 62 in innovation index, our ranking in global competitiveness index is 56 in 2010-11. If India has to graduate from the present ranking in competitiveness index of 56 and become equal to economically developed nations, it is essential that building indigenous design capability and leading to innovative index to better than 5 through research and technological development. The present growth has been achieved by the use of technologies essentially developed elsewhere based on scientific discoveries and patents generated before 10 to 15 years. Definitely, latest technologies resulting from latest scientific results are not available from developed countries to India at least for a decade. Hence, research is very vital, particularly, basic science which will result in the latest technology required for meeting Global Competitiveness by Indian organizations, institutions and industry and also resulting in benefit to the common man. This is an important message for Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology to take up basic research in space science, so that we will have cost effective technologies for our growth.

Friends, space science and technology education in India, in the present century will be in a competitive environment where research and teaching are to be the focus.

Friends, in the last five decades, Indian Space, Missile and Aircraft technologies have matured and have tremendous integrated potential for developing world class newer systems. While we will be celebrating Golden Jubilee of ISRO very soon, I would suggest the following space missions:

1. Manned Space Missions to Moon and Mars and establishment of space industry.

2. Cost effective space transportation systems using Hypersonic Reusable Vehicles (SSTO).

3. Harnessing Space energy through solar satellite for power and drinking water.

4. Developing Solar Sail for inter planetary mission.

5. Integrated Disaster Management and Role of space technology.

6. Refueling, Repair and Maintenance of Satellites in Geo Orbit.

7. Operational Indian Navigational Satellites.

These programmes will throw up new opportunities and challenges to the scientific community and the youth of India, apart from motivating the young graduates to become partners in future missions of national and international importance.