Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday here exhorted innovators and start-ups to come up with products, which can become a necessity for the Armed Forces. He also said the government’s self-reliance efforts have made science, technology and innovation a revolutionary idea in the country.
He made these assertions during Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) seminar ‘Swavlamban’ at Bharat Mandapam. The defence minister also unveiled the third edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 3.0) challenge and 13th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 13).
Citing the success of digital transactions, Rajnath stated that today India has emerged as the world’s largest country in terms of the value of digital payments. He also spoke of the Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile Trinity, which has made the delivery of government schemes easy and transparent.
“You don't wait for the right time, you bring the right time. You’re fully capable. You must come up with new ideas through innovation,” he said, assuring all possible help of the government in this endeavour.
The ADITI 3.0 features a challenge from the Indian Navy to design a High-Power Microwave Weapon System. The DISC 13 presents seven challenges – three from Indian Army and two each from Indian Navy and Indian Air Force – in the domains of Artificial Intelligence, military communication and autonomous bots among others.
The defence minister highlighted the self-reliance efforts being made by the Government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that the changes brought about in the last few years have created an innovative culture in India, keeping national security in mind.
Acknowledging the vital contribution of both public and private sectors in realising the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Rajnath reasserted the Government’s commitment to march ahead on the road to progress by taking all the stakeholders together. ‘Continuous Innovation’,” he said.
The defence minister added that the Government’s concerted efforts have not only reduced import dependency and ensured public and private sectors to work together for ‘Aatmanirbharta in defence, it has also resulted in the emergence of science, technology, innovation and self-reliance as a revolutionary idea throughout the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi reiterated the Indian Navy’s commitment to safeguard national maritime interests, adding that to facilitate this journey, a solemn resolve has been made to become a ‘Fully Aatmanirbhar Force’ by 2047.
