New Delhi, Jun 17:
BrahMos, the world’s only supersonic cruise missile and a symbol of the
India’s military prowess has been billed to be “uninterceptable” for the
“next 20 years”, by none other than the “father of BrahMos” himself.
“The equivalent of BrahMos is yet to built. And, in the next 20 years,
it cannot be intercepted by an enemy,” says A Sivathanu Pillai,
scientist, and CEO and MD of BrahMos Aerospace sharing the vision for
the future trajectory of growth for the iconic missile technology
developed jointly by India and Russia.
Pillai, also Chief Controller (R and D), DRDO and hailed largely as the
“father of BrahMos” mentions “missile technology” as one of the 10 key
and “unique leap-frog technologies” for building a securer and greater
future of India, “driven by youth power” in a new book which he has
co-authored with the former President A P J Kalam.
Titled “Thoughts for Change: We can Do It”, by two renowned scientific
minds aims to be a clarion call to the youth of India to “reclaim its
ancient scientific wisdom” even as it exhorts them to embrace and work
towards building a future where “multiple technologies will intersect
and interoperate“.
“We take pride in the fact that BrahMos, world’s only supersonic cruise
missile, a symbol of Indo-Russian co-operation, where India provided the
guidance, avionics, software and airframe components, etc, has been
successfully delivered to both the Indian Navy and the Indian Army and
the aerial version for the Indian Air Force too shall be ready in few
years time,” Pillai told PTI in an interview.
BrahMos, developed jointly in a strategic partnership between Indian
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Russian NPO
Mashinostroyeniya, is a stealth cruise missile with a range of 290 km
and travels at a speed of Mach 2.8 to 3.
The name BrahMos is a portmanteau formed from the names of two rivers, the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia.
Among other technologies that the authors believe will lay the roadmap
for the future of war theatres and health care, etc, in India is the
convergence of Information, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology
(nano-info-bio).
Other technologies in the list include — Robotics, Artificial
Intelligence and Cognitive Sciences; Sensor Technology; Materials
Technology; High Energetics; Fusion Technology; Space Technology;
Hypersonics and Green Technology.
“Nano-info-bio and their convergence will redefine the future as we know
it, whether in changing the dynamics of the war theatre where
information technology will be coupled with the existing biotechnology
and the new and emerging field of nanotechnology or health care. A
simple looking bird flying in the air could be a surveillance and
reconnaissance device.
“As per health, drug delivery through nano tech has been tried on
Parkinson’s Syndrome and Epilepsy patients outside India and has shown
to stop their symptoms like shaking of limbs and has even allowed them
to walk, not possible otherwise. And, it is definitely a future India is
looking to, given its huge youth bank,” says Pillai.
Divided into five sections, the book in fact lays a special emphasis on
the youth power, especially in the final section titled ‘Future India’
where it asks the young India to “think big” and to “assume the
leadership role” in building a “knowledge society” for the world.
“India has currently 580 million youth population. And, every one among
the youth of India must prepare himself or herself to do remarkable
work, which will create a place for him or her in the history of the
world. History is not written for cowards and one who thinks small,” he
said.
Fending off worries that the Indian youth has been diverted by a current
phase of commercialism, the ‘father of BrahMos’ urges them to remain
positive and “believe in the power of India“.
“This current phase of commercialism luring the youth is only a
temporary phase. After ten years, you will see, the youth of India will
change. And, I and Mr Kalam, himself a popular force among the youth of
the country, we both believe that the future of India is great. And, we
have to be a positive force and not a negative one, and tackle the
problems of the nation,” he says.
Commenting on the lack of research culture in Indian universities and
organisations, Pillai emphasised the need for Government’s greater
attention and allocation of resources towards building a “research-based
paradigm” in educational and research institutions.
“Government is spending 1.7 crore to make one IIT graduate. And, after
graduation, the best brains go for either corporate jobs or to US
universities, among others. And, then that country becomes a great
country.
They leave because they don’t have research opportunities back home and
that’s why we need to focus more on research — based paradigm. Because,
when science grows, country grows,” he said.
The book has been brought out by Pentagon Press and also contains illustrations accompanying the text.
Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/brahmos-cannot-be-intercepted-in-next-20-years-pillai/article4822740.ece
