The 15th National Conference on In House R&D In Industry
November 22-23, 2001, New Delhi

Welcome Address by Mr R S Lodha, President-Elect, FICCI

Hon’ble Minister of State For Science & Technology, Shri Bachi Singh Rawat Ji
Dr R A Mashelkar, Secretary, DSIR
Shri Jagdish Singh, Advisor, DSIR
Senior Officials from Government of India,
Distinguished Award Winners,
Distinguished Speakers,
Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my privilege to be here this morning and address this august gathering of eminent scientists, researchers, technocrats, industry leaders and Government officials. I am deeply honored to welcome Shri Rawatji who despite his busy schedule agreed to our invitation to inaugurate this conference. Sir, we are indeed honored to have you with us.

I also have pleasure in welcoming the 10 award winners this year whose outstanding and path breaking In-house R&D has resulted in creation of new technology and its successful commercialization. FICCI and DSIR present these awards to acknowledge successful efforts of industry towards innovative research and technical development.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Today’s economy is knowledge economy. The role of knowledge has grown steeply in importance. It has been recognized that the knowledge of individuals and organizations will give any country the competitive edge needed in the 21st century. The generation and utilization of knowledge leads to wealth creation. Knowledge is no doubt the new mantra for survival and is more powerful than brick or mortar.

Sir with the lowering of tariff barriers industry is being exposed to global competition. This competition has created new Vistas and has brought home the importance of knowledge as a tool for competition. In the challenging environment of today it has become all the more necessary that R&D be encouraged as a tool for economic development. It means the development of new products and processes. It also means process improvement, product improvement, quality improvement, cost reduction and incremental innovation in already existing technologies. These are absolutely essential ingredients for us to be competitive in the new environment. Here I would like to point out, sir, that the mention in directive principles of state policy of promoting scientific temper in the country has failed to produce the desired results. Whereas the scientific temper did promote the study of science in schools and universities, it did not promote the culture of In House R&D which could as I already said, improve processes, reduce costs or develop new products. We did, however, make significant advances in defense and space research for obvious reasons but our industrial R&D has been nowhere near world standards. In house R&D has a major role to play not only for the development of innovation and competitive technologies but also to make a critical assessment of the technologies imported by the industry. While a substantial part of the national R&D expenditure in the developed countries is incurred by industries, in India the share of expenditure by industry and Government is around 28 percent and 72 percent. We have to take urgent measures to speed up the process of Industrial R&D in India. FICCI-DSIR partnership in organizing this annual conference and the tradition of presenting awards for outstanding achievement by In house R&D units symbolizes the determination of industry and the Government to work together to strengthen the R&D capabilities of our country.
Sir, may I now come to the theme of this year’s conference. - Life Sciences and New Business Opportunities. The topic reflects important current interest. Recent advances in the field of life sciences has thrown open new opportunities in healthcare, nutrition, increasing crop yields etc. There is an unlimited contribution of biosciences towards growth whether it is coming up with treatment of hitherto incurable diseases or the development of new plant and crop varieties with higher yield potential, resistance to diseases and greater nutritive and therapeutic properties. Biotechnology is one of the most revolutionary and beneficial scientific advances of this generation. Ladies and gentlemen, Biotechnology is a precise science that enables us to find the most beneficial traits, in terms of added nutrition, increased flavor, or greater ability to fight pests or diseases, and incorporate them into various organisms. Uses of biotechnology include the research, development, and commercialization of products and services to detect, diagnose, protect, and treat all people against harmful pathogens and other agents. With biotechnology we could provide real answers to some of the greatest challenges we face at the dawn of a new century, such as hunger and malnutrition, as well as more effective ways to prevent diseases and treat serious illnesses. It is an accessible and exciting new development, which is already improving the way we live.

After the September 11, 2001 attack on America, questions have been raised about broader uses of biotechnology, including its use to detect, diagnose, prevent, or treat victims of possible future biological attacks as well as the potential for misuse of the technology. Biotechnology companies have a number of technologies, including vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, that can be enlisted to fight bioterrorism. These companies are working to solve these problems with new vaccines based on improved delivery technologies and discoveries made through genetic research. Further research in the life sciences is intended to accelerate the discovery and development of the next generation of pharmaceuticals, as well as reduce the cost of and improve the quality of healthcare.

The conference, I am sure, will throw light on these new and emerging areas and its commercialization aspects. The conference sessions and presentations are designed to encourage the sharing of different perspectives and experiences. Given the sum total of knowledge and expertise assembled here today, it is not necessary for me to elaborate on these aspects and issues. I would congratulate DSIR for structuring a comprehensive programme. I am hopeful that the conference will provide an excellent platform and an opportunity to discuss diverse complementary issues involved in the field of biosciences. With These few words I welcome all of you once again. . I wish the conference a great success.

Thank you,