Indigenous Technologies Shaping Viksit Bharat
Dr Nimish Kapoor
Leveraging indigenous technology is essential for a country to empower its communities in the ongoing battle against marginalisation, poverty and impoverishment. The laws protecting Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) safeguard the creative efforts, knowledge or technology developed by individuals and communities. The country's scientific advancements are now focussed on incorporating indigenous technology into science education, research and learning. This approach aims to enhance public awareness of science, technology and innovation, showcasing achievements of Indian scientists who use home grown technologies to address various challenges for the overall well-being of society. The theme for National Science Day 2024 is 'Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat.' The theme emphasises the significance of Indigenous Technology as a crucial facilitator of rapid socio-economic development, efficient governance and timely relief delivery. It signifies that India is prepared to embrace and advance indigenous technology frameworks to enhance the well-being of its people and promote economic growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the challenges and opportunities in India that can be tackled and propelled forward through indigenous technology frameworks. India is recognised for its strong capacity in vaccine development, as demonstrated during the pandemic. Now, the country is prepared to keep pace with global advancements in Quantum Technology. The impact of Indian scientific breakthroughs is notably improving the 'Ease of Living' for the common man. Viksit Bharat@2047 is the vision of the Government of India to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of its independence. The vision encompasses various aspects of indigenous scientific and technological development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability and good governance. As India stands at this critical juncture, poised to take off on its growth trajectory, it is important to realise that tremendous dedication and belief in India's destiny, immense desire, potential, talent and capabilities of its citizens, especially the youth, coupled with steadfast leadership, is necessary to realise this potential. Recent scientific accomplishments highlight India's notable ascent on the global stage in the last decade. Globally, we rank among the top five countries in scientific research publications and have made a remarkable jump from the 81st to the 40th position in the Global Innovation Index (GII) since 2015. Additionally, our patent filings have exceeded 90,000, marking the highest in two decades. The surge is also evident in the space sector, with the number of Space Start-Ups increasing from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023 according to the DPIIT Start-Up India Portal. Furthermore, investment in Indian Space Start-Ups has risen to $124.7 million in 2023.
India is among the top countries globally in the field of scientific research. In space exploration as well, India is positioned as one of the top five countries. This success is attributed to the strengthening of the indigenous Science and Technology (S&T) ecosystem in various fields, including artificial intelligence, astronomy, solar and wind energy, semi-conductors, climate research, space research and bio technology. The nation consistently engages in space missions, including lunar exploration and the renowned Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). A noteworthy achievement is India's successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon's South Pole, making it the first country to accomplish this remarkable feat. Additionally, the Aditya-L1 satellite, dedicated to the comprehensive study of the Sun, features seven distinct pay-loads, all developed domestically. This includes five payloads by ISRO and two collaborative efforts with Indian academic institutes in partnership with ISRO. Now let us explore recent advancements in indigenous technologies that play a pivotal role in building a self reliant and developed India (Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat). Notably, technologies such as the Thermal Camera, CMOS Camera and Fleet Management System have been successfully transferred to industries, marking significant progress in fostering self-sufficiency and technological growth within the nation. The Thermal Smart Camera, CMOS Camera and Fleet Management System are designed and developed by CDAC Thiruvananthapuram under InTranSE Programme of MeitY.
Thermal Smart Camera: This device incorporates an integrated DPU (Digital Processing Unit) for running various AI-based analytics, catering to diverse applications in smart cities, industries, defence, healthcare and other sectors. Initially tested and validated for road traffic applications, the technology has been successfully transferred to eight industries simultaneously.
CMOS Camera: This camera, known as iVIS 10GigE, is an industrial vision sensor with CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor) based vision processing. Equipped with a robust on-board computing engine, it is designed for next-generation industrial machine vision applications. This technology has been transferred to an industry.
Fleet Management System: Named FlexiFleet, is focussed on optimising operations and improving the efficiency of fleet operators and transit agencies. It provides features like vehicle location tracking and alerts for conditions such as over speed, geofence violations, ignition status, idle time, halts and rash driving. Simultaneously, a mobile app called Personalised Transit Route Guidance System enhances the travel experience for passengers by offering personalised route options. Another technology, Operational Strategies for Headway Reliability, acts as a dynamic scheduling decision support tool for transit operators, aiming to minimise instances of bus bunching and enhance the reliability of public transit services. This technology has been transferred to three industries concurrently.
CSIR Aroma Mission - Purple Revolution Ushered through Lavender Cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir
India that was importing lemongrass oil for years, became an exporting country by 2023, with CSIR's Aroma Mission. In the year 2023, the country exported 600 million tons of lemongrass oil. Additionally, CSIR's scientific interventions have led to the phenomenal growth of lavender cultivation and development of lavender products taking lavender from lab-to-market and creating several Agri-Startups in J&K. CSIR developed an elite variety of lavender suitable for cultivation in temperate regions of J&K and provided free saplings and end-to-end agro-technologies to farmers and also installed distillation units for essential oil extraction in several regions of J&K.
India's First Women Friendly, Compact Electric Tractor- CSIR PRIMA ET11
CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CMERI) has created a compact, 100% Pure Electric Tractor called CSIR PRIMA ET11. This tractor is specifically designed to serve the needs of small and marginal farmers in India, utilising agromechanical technology. The entire tractor has been created using indigenous components and technologies. With a primary focus on meeting the demands of agricultural field applications, the design encompasses careful consideration of dynamics, weight distribution, transmission engagements, lever and pedal positions. Notably, it stands out as India's first women-friendly tractor, featuring strategically placed levers, switches and other controls for easy access and operation by women. Additionally, electronic switches have been incorporated to replace several mechanical systems, enhancing overall ease of use. Farmers can charge the tractor using a standard home charging socket within 7 to 8 hours, allowing it to operate in the field for over 4 hours. Alternatively, during normal haulage operations, the tractor can run for more than 6 hours. The tractor features a robust and efficient transmission system with a semi synchronised gearing system, designed to achieve optimal efficiency at a minimal cost. Equipped with a top-notch hydraulic system boasting a lifting capacity of 500 kg or more, the tractor can lift implements necessary for both field and hauling operations. It's worth noting that the tractor is capable of towing a 1.8-ton capacity trolley at a maximum speed of 25 kmph.
Hydrazine Hydrate Manufacturing Facility
The Hydrazine Hydrate Manufacturing Facility under the CSIR was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in 2022. In the year 2023, the first batch of commercial production of Hydrazine Hydrate started. Today, it is a 10,000 tonnes per annum-manufacturing plant. Hydrazine Hydrate is now finding its application in chemical industries, processing industries and several other chemistry-related and pharmacy related industries.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Technology
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) technology is an indigenously developed techno-logy in the field of aviation. Airbus, a prominent aircraft manufacturer, has joined hands with the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) to pioneer innovative technologies and accelerate the development and qualification of indigenous sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) within India. This collaboration targets the reduction of carbon emissions in the Indian aerospace sector, thereby contributing to environ-mental sustainability. This will employ cutting-edge HEFA (Hydro-processed Esters and Fatty Acids) technology, a promising pathway for SAF production, emphasising sustainability and environmental impact. Airbus and CSIR-IIP will work collaboratively to conduct technical assessments, secure approvals, access markets and attain sustainability accre-ditations, all essential elements for SAF production.
C-BOT - Unmanned Under-water Vehicle to Study Deep Sea
C-Bot, an underwater unmanned vehicle developed by CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) in Goa, is equipped to carry various instruments, sensors and devices up to 200 meters beneath the water's surface. This capability aids scientists in studying the undersea eco-system. Plans are underway to enhance C-Bot's capabilities for deep diving to explore depths of thousands of meters in the sea. This upgraded underwater vehicle will be instrumental in researching temperature, humidity and climate-related subjects. It facilitates the collection of samples, captures photos and investigates the growth of biology in extreme environments. The primary target for these studies is the entire Indian Ocean, covering a vast area of 71 million square kilometers. While considerable research has been conducted in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, there is a significant gap in studies in the Indian Ocean, making it crucial to explore and understand this expansive region.
Indigenous 4G/5G Technologies
India has achieved one of the fastest 5G rollouts globally, significantly increasing broad-band speed while simultaneously reducing tariffs to their lowest levels. With the second-largest telecom net-work worldwide, India has garnered attention for swiftly developing indigenous 4G/5G technologies. Over the past decade, there has been a substantial increase in digital and mobile coverage. The average monthly cellular data consumption per individual in India has reached 11 GB. Notably, the country's focus on technology and digital platforms is reshaping the landscape, making physical infrastructure expansion less critical while emphasising the importance of virtual expansion. This shift towards digital offerings holds the potential to establish a world-class education system, characterised by quality, affordability and equitable access and opportunities for all.
Mission COVID Suraksha
The Indian Government's Department of Biotechnology, through "Mission COVID Suraksha," successfully intro-duced four indigenous vac-cines. These vaccines include: (i) ZyCoV-D, the world's first DNA vaccine developed in India, (ii) CORBEVAXTM, India's inaugural protein subunit vaccine, (iii) GEMCOVAC-19, the world's first mRNA vaccine developed in India and
(iv) iNCOVACC, India's first intranasal COVID-19 vaccine. Under the mission, there was also support for enhancing manufacturing facilities to boost Covaxin production. Covaxin, India's own COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech, was developed in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) - National Institute of Virology (NIV). Mission COVID Suraksha achieved significant milestones, including the development of the world's first DNA vaccine for COVID-19 and support for the nation's first mRNA vaccine, intranasal vaccine candidates and a subunit vaccine against COVID-19. The government announced Mission COVID Suraksha under the Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package with a total cost of Rs 900 Crore. The mission aimed to expedite the development of safe, effective, affordable and indigenous COVID-19 vaccines.
India's First mRNA Vaccine - GEMCOVAC-OM
India's first mRNA vaccine GEMCOVAC-OM has been developed using the indigenous platform technology by Gennova, with funding support from Department of Bio-technology (DBT) and Bio-technology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). This vaccine got the nod from the office of the Drug Control General of India (DCGI) for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA). GEMCOVAC-OM is the fifth vaccine developed with support from Mission COVID Suraksha implemented by DBT and BIRAC under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package for accelerated development of Indian COVID-19 vaccines. The GEMCOVAC-OM, an Omicron-specific mRNA-based Booster vaccine does not require cold storage, is easy to deploy even in remote areas and can be administered without a needle. It is delivered intra-dermally using a needle-free injection device system. The clinical outcome demonstrates the need for variant-specific vaccines for desired immune response.
Conclusion
Fostering indigenous technological capabilities is a robust strategy with dual-use benefits, applicable both during crisis like the pandemic and in normal circumstances. To promote indigenous technologies effectively, the country should prioritise four key areas: (i) enhancing private sector capacities, (ii) improving governance and relief response delivery, (iii) disseminating information at the grassroots level in local languages and (iv) creating new avenues for future expansion. The theme "Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat" not only marks a new era but also presents an opportunity for collaboration between the public and scientific communities to contribute to the well-being of India. Emphasising the goal of making India self-reliant through science, it underscores the importance of addressing subjects that are significant for humanity as a whole. As we celebrate National Science Day and unveil the theme for 2024, it is evident that our scientific endeavours have the potential to shape not only the future of our nation but also contribute significantly to global progress.
(The author is a scientist and science communication specialist. Feedback on this article can be sent to feedback.employmentnews@gmail.com)
Views expressed are personal.