India’s technical might and commercial products
Posted : September 27, 2004 at 9:09 pm [IST]
A country that has successfully developed indigenously satellites, launching rockets, many sophisticated missiles, and equipment for nuclear energy and explosion technology can also design and develop products of mass consumptions and commercial values that can take the country high up in the manufacturing capability. Why is it not happening? What is stopping the country to emerge as the largest manufacturer of Electronic goods such as TV, DVD, music systems or automobiles, or for that matter refrigerators and air conditioners or other consumable goods that can push India as big in the global market? Is it the weakness of our entrepreneurs or is it because of certain constraints in government policy? Why can’t we compete with the Chinese in manufacturing? How is that we keep on following other countries and never become the leader in some areas leaving behind all others to emulate us? Naturally, there can’t be lack of individual capability or intelligence of the billion plus people in the country. Is it then the leadership of the entrepreneurs that is too much short-sighted and that does think in big way? Why could not Hindustan Motors or Premier Motors excel and grow? Why can’t Bajaj Auto become the largest two-wheel manufacturers of the world? Why can’t Tata Motors become the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers?
As it seems our entrepreneurs and industrialists are still not shaking off the older mindset of dependence on the developed countries for the product development. They lack confidence in our product designers. And perhaps they do not have confidence to have the market accept our home made designs. The Japanese follow a different route and market their latest products first in their domestic market. Once successful at home market, they launch with necessary modifications for other markets. So the entrepreneurs must work on both areas of product design and development to world class level on one hand and have a thorough understanding of the global market on the other. The government policies must only help in facilitating the entrepreneurs and helping them whatever they ask for rather than make them holding their hands. However, a strong emphasis on the advance education of product design in the professional institutes is necessary. Simultaneously, the persons opting for the courses must see an assured better future that can be assured by the industrialists by giving the necessary importance to these people. Why can’t we have some national level design competition giving a prize money in million of rupees? So should be the encouragement for the research of industrial importance.
As I understand, automobile manufacturers can now avail themselves of 150 per cent deduction, for income-tax purposes, of the amount spent by them towards scientific research undertaken in in-house research and development (R&D) facilities. The benefit is not restricted to manufacturers of automobiles alone, but also to even manufacturers of automotive components. This is a step in right direction and shall provide further incentives for scientific research activities within the country.
The benefits are already available to companies engaged in the business of biotechnology or in the business of manufacture or production of any drugs, pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, computers, telecommunication equipment and chemicals. India must excel with products and its brands if we want to capture the world. Let the industrialist ask the researchers what they require and what they can market. Indian scientists and technologists are intelligent enough to come with a product to their expectations.
A country that has successfully developed indigenously satellites, launching rockets, many sophisticated missiles, and equipment for nuclear energy and explosion technology can also design and develop products of mass consumptions and commercial values that can take the country high up in the manufacturing capability. Why is it not happening? What is stopping the country to emerge as the largest manufacturer of Electronic goods such as TV, DVD, music systems or automobiles, or for that matter refrigerators and air conditioners or other consumable goods that can push India as big in the global market? Is it the weakness of our entrepreneurs or is it because of certain constraints in government policy? Why can’t we compete with the Chinese in manufacturing? How is that we keep on following other countries and never become the leader in some areas leaving behind all others to emulate us? Naturally, there can’t be lack of individual capability or intelligence of the billion plus people in the country. Is it then the leadership of the entrepreneurs that is too much short-sighted and that does think in big way? Why could not Hindustan Motors or Premier Motors excel and grow? Why can’t Bajaj Auto become the largest two-wheel manufacturers of the world? Why can’t Tata Motors become the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers?
As it seems our entrepreneurs and industrialists are still not shaking off the older mindset of dependence on the developed countries for the product development. They lack confidence in our product designers. And perhaps they do not have confidence to have the market accept our home made designs. The Japanese follow a different route and market their latest products first in their domestic market. Once successful at home market, they launch with necessary modifications for other markets. So the entrepreneurs must work on both areas of product design and development to world class level on one hand and have a thorough understanding of the global market on the other. The government policies must only help in facilitating the entrepreneurs and helping them whatever they ask for rather than make them holding their hands. However, a strong emphasis on the advance education of product design in the professional institutes is necessary. Simultaneously, the persons opting for the courses must see an assured better future that can be assured by the industrialists by giving the necessary importance to these people. Why can’t we have some national level design competition giving a prize money in million of rupees? So should be the encouragement for the research of industrial importance.
As I understand, automobile manufacturers can now avail themselves of 150 per cent deduction, for income-tax purposes, of the amount spent by them towards scientific research undertaken in in-house research and development (R&D) facilities. The benefit is not restricted to manufacturers of automobiles alone, but also to even manufacturers of automotive components. This is a step in right direction and shall provide further incentives for scientific research activities within the country.
The benefits are already available to companies engaged in the business of biotechnology or in the business of manufacture or production of any drugs, pharmaceuticals, electronic equipment, computers, telecommunication equipment and chemicals. India must excel with products and its brands if we want to capture the world. Let the industrialist ask the researchers what they require and what they can market. Indian scientists and technologists are intelligent enough to come with a product to their expectations.
- Indra
Category: Industry/Management |
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