Dr Yagnaswami SundaraRajan speaks, his audie nces erupt into peals of laughter. It's not because the sub jects he deals with are light, but the way he goes about it is. At 68, his wit is intact. Good enough reason to lend an ear to what he has to say about stuff he is most com for table with. The delegates at Em Tech India couldn't agree more on Tuesday, when he gave his vision talk about India's Technology Mission. Not one to waste minutes on frivolous topics, SundaraRajan straightway stressed on the need to innovate and look at avenues that present a huge scope for enterprises and entrepreneurs in the country. Waste water recycling was, SundaraRajan said, the need of the hour. He spoke about how Kalpana Chawla's space mission was planned and what it entailed. "Even perspiration, not just urine, had to be recycled (on the mission)," emphasized SundaraRajan, who is an honorary distinguished professor at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He had also been instrumental behind some of Indian Space Research Organisation prestigious projects. Unlike the United States or European countries, India hadn't given the benefits of science to ordinary citizens, he said, adding that even those elite who reaped them mumbled under their breaths for that not being enough. SundaraRajan, however, pointed out that India has a lot of opportunities for youngsters, with its large population and the issues associated in magnitude with it.
Incidentally, he is the co-author of India 2020, better known as former President and fellow space scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The world, according to the eminent scientist, is heading towards a learning society from being a knowledge society. "Most of you will beliving in one such society soon," he asserted. Pointing out that about 10 per cent of our country had people aged more than 60 years, SundaraRajan said, "When I was born in 1944, the average life expectancy was, believe it or not, 31. That means, people my age didn't have much hopes back then. Now, it has more than doubled. Biotech has a great potential to further it.” He also advised enterprises and young innovators to work towards helping elderly people attain autonomy, something they fiercely guard. "It will demand mobility. You can work on a walking stick or a comb that doesn't have to be used like a traditional one, but focus on bringing the cost down. Communication is also important, as old people of my age tend to get dementia." Neurosciences and experts got a pat from him for doing exceptional work in saving and extending human lives. SundaraRajan also said it was necessary to find local supply chains for electricity, which would open up more opportunities for innovators.
Source: CIOL Bureau
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