Gandhian Engineering

On the final day of Hi-Tech Pune, Dr. Mashelkar gave a very inspiring talk on the theme of Innovation led Inclusive Growth.

He highlighted several problems of India, and how they are being tackled by some very innovative entrepreneurs who are becoming the change agents.

He gave examples and examples of various breakthroughs achieved in India, that too at very affordable prices, which was earlier not possible.

Dr. Mashelkar called it the Gandhian Engineering, which essentially means how can we solve big probles, not in many centuries or decades, but in a few years, by Doing More with Less for More by More and More People. All it requires is Visionary leaders with Passion and Compassion. 

Jaipur Foot is one such example, the foot treatment would otherwise cost $20,000 in U.S, but with the Indian Innovation it has been made affordable to the poorest of the poor, for only $28 , that is almost 1/100th of the price, and with much superior  features and functionalities. He demostrated how with the Jaipur Foot treatment, a person is able to run, climb a tree and also jump from a tree. Amazing.

Other such innovation is Tata Nano Car, the dream made possible by Ratan Tata.

Another very good example was Kohli led TCS team which developed the Computer Based Functional Literacy, which is based on the theories of cognition, language and communication. This is meant to tackle the large illeteracy problem and solve it in a few years. The early results are very encouraging and it being a low cost solution, anyone can become literate in $2.5, which means now with a $2 billion investment, it will be possible to make the entire world literate.

Similar examples were given in medicine on making medicines accessible, affordable and available for the large number of poor.  The psoriasis treatment from U.S would cost $20,000 , but an invention at Lupin Labs R&D Division, has found the cure at a very affordable $50.

Similarly , Mobilys invented a low cost PC and is being sold globally.

Dr. Mashelkar further shared about the Global Research Alliance, where he is the President now. The Global Research Alliance is working on applying the Gandhian engineering to a world of problems that exists. The mission of the alliance is to build Global Knowledge for Global good through Global funds using Global Talent. 

This was really inspiring, I will try and get the presentation from Dr. Mashelkar.

Regards,

Ajay Sanghani

CEO, ITVidya.com

Cell : 09922930618