Mashelkar Innovation

Dear Friend,

The program was available in iiuindia calendar. It was a usual evening Friday monthly membership lecture at AIMA headquarters at Lodi Road, New Delhi.

Like last time, we had lecture delivered by Shiv Khera, this time, it was delivered by Mashelkar.

Theme: Civil Society and Governance

Dr R A Mashelkar, Former Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, and Secretary, Department of Scientific & Industrial Research, Government of India, an eminent internationally recognized personality.

During Shiv Khera time, hall was full while this time all oldies were in presence. I personally feel that Mashelkar is one of the few well known scientists available in the country. I am privileged to know this man since last many years. I am fortunate interacting with him earlier too. This time also I enjoyed every moment I spent in his presence.

India needs not only few persons like him but many-many more. And I hope that India will have those people around.

It is my pleasure to present the abstract of his presentation (especially for those who could attend the lecture).

The topic is new for me but I will try to do justice with time and effort. I will be presenting outsider view of civil society. Basically, I am scientist and technologist.

Let us see what is happening around the world.

One new thing is eminent - Changing geography of science.

If we compare three different continents in the world – America, Europe and Asia, earlier research works in science were in the order mentioned.

Now it is in reverse order - Asia, Europe and America.

All the centuries have been ruled by IC

19th century – Internal combustion engine
20th century – Integrated circuits
21st century – India-China, but I say Innovation-creativity,

If we study history of growth and development, we find that it was always innovation and creativity which led to growth and development for human society.

I have done extensive research to find the definition of civil society.
Civil society is the integration of shared interests, shared values, shared purposes and collective action.

Corruption and re-tapeism are the biggest hindrance of civil society. There is an urgent need to take some concrete steps to remove this evil however this remains a big challenge for us. (A weak Prime Minister and a dump President can hardly give courage and confidence needed to hard working Indians.)

If India has to be a great nation it needs great governance.

I have also raised questions like, what academics are doing.
We need to have enlightened democracy. But how can we get enlighten democracy when it relies heavily on uneducated voters.

Information Technology plays a very critical role in the development of our society. It has changed life style. It remains a challenge for us to exploit IT for our growth and development. (On my question that why Infosys is still doing 90% business with outside India? Mashelkar had no answer. India needs to awaken of its own potential. India has yet to learn to respect its own professionals and experts.)

IT needs to be used to spread literacy and education. TCS has shown through practical exercises.)

With proper education, future should emerge like as follow,

Child centered education
Women centered family
Family centered humanity
Knowledge centered society
Innovative centered India

Civil society – refers unquashed, collective interest, shared values, shared purposes. However, even in governance, we are not using the combined wisdom for our growth.

I am pained to hear about the impositions of Directors by governments in all IIMs in the country. Higher institutions need to be protected for their autonomous functioning.

We need citizen centered democratic governance

But what is happening… we are in mesh… you are correct.

I am happy that at the end of the lecture he replied only one question and that was mine. Not only that, he was thrilled to know that I have developed a theory for human development and written a book. He took the book and promised me to give feedback as early as possible.

The book was also liked by Mr Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary, who remains the brain behind the series of lecture on Civil Society and Governance. He has also promised to read the book and comment on it as early as possible.

India needs innovation. Amidst all these, innovation must remain the priority of intellectuals. You need good theories, right innovations, enlightened democracy and a civil society with good governance.

Thanks.

Take Hard Decision in Lighter Moment!