When one talks of nation building, there seems to be a tendency to look at applied research more than basic or fundamental research. From where India is right now, what sort of research do you think is more important?
In India, where there is a lot of poverty, and lots of other problems, we have to focus on solving the problems around us. For example, healthcare, education, agriculture, human work productivity, infrastructure are problems. These need solutions. To that extent, most focus should be on applied research. On the other hand, I would not want to distinguish between fundamental research and applied research because fundamental problems are ‘not-yet-applied research’ problems. Look at quantum mechanics. Without it, we wouldn’t have transistors, DVDs, laser printers or laser surgeries. We wouldn’t have quantum computers. Same thing with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. It is used in GPS. We shouldn’t be hung up on fundamental research or applied research.
What would convince governments to look more at the necessity of fundamental research since it has long lead times?
We have to set apart a percentage of our GDP for solving long-term fundamental research problems. That will yield results, may be not in 10-20 years. Sometimes, they yield results in 50-100 years. But they will yield results. We have to do long-term planning. But we may set apart a larger percentage of GDP on solving problems that we see around us today.
Is there a percentage that you would recommend for a country like India? The country spends 0.7 per cent (of GDP) on R&D today.
Esta historia es de la edición February 23, 2020 de Business Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 23, 2020 de Business Today.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
"Understand what drives key talent"
Novartis India is a part of the Basel, Switzerland-headquartered pharma major Novartis AG
MILLENNIALS MISSING HOME
SKY-HIGH PROPERTY PRICES, COUPLED WITH SLOW INCOME GROWTH, HAVE MADE THE DREAM OF OWNING A HOME A DISTANT ONE FOR MANY MILLENNIALS. THIS COULD LEAD TO STAGNATION IN SOCIAL MOBILITY AND POTENTIALLY DEEPEN EXISTING SOCIAL INEQUALITIES
SIGNATURE MOVE
SIGNATURE GLOBAL, A LEADER IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, IS LOOKING TO GET BACK IN THE BLACK WITH A SHIFT IN FOCUS TO MID-SEGMENT AND PREMIUM HOUSING AFTER LOW-COST PROJECTS BECAME UNVIABLE FOR DEVELOPERS
MAKING A MARK
PHARMA MAJOR GLENMARK IS STRATEGICALLY PLOTTING ITS WAY UP, ALL BY SHIFTING ITS FOCUS TO BRANDED AND SPECIALITY MEDICINE AND ENSURING IT GETS ITS R&D RIGHT
TIME TO UNSHACKLE?
YOUNG INDIA IS OBSESSED WITH APPS. BUT THE GATEWAY TO THEM IS CLOSELY GUARDED BY TWO TECH BEHEMOTHS-GOOGLE AND APPLE-WHO CONTROL 99% OF THE MARKET IN INDIA. IS IT TIME FOR INDIA TO BREAK FREE FROM THIS DUOPOLY AND HAVE ITS OWN APP STORE?
DIGITAL DICHOTOMY
Where does one draw the line between protecting consumer interests and maintaining market freedom? Industry and experts are debating this even as the Digital Competition Bill seeks to rein in Big Tech firms in India, the world's second-largest internet market
"ChatGPT helped people understand the benefits of using AI"
Humane Inc. Co-founders Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno on AI, their product, the company's vision, and more
ON THE FAST TRACK
THE DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS (DFC) NETWORK OF THE INDIAN RAILWAYS HAS STARTED ATTRACTING MORE FREIGHT PLAYERS. FROM CONNECTING MAJOR PORTS TO CRISS-CROSSING MULTIMODAL LOGISTICS PARKS, DFCS ARE SET TO BE A GAME CHANGER FOR FREIGHT SERVICES IN INDIA
WE HAVE A MODEL MADE IN INDIA, FOR INDIA, AND BY INDIA"
Manish Tiwary, Country Manager of Amazon India, on the opportunities in the country, digital, and more
WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR AMAZON INDIA
THE E-COMMERCE GIANT HAS SEEN STEADY GROWTH SINCE ITS ENTRY INTO INDIA IN 2013, BUT THE OFFLINE PIECE REMAINS A CHALLENGE. AFTER LOSING OUT ON THE FUTURE RETAIL ACQUISITION, HOW DOES IT PLAN TO KEEP THE GROWTH ENGINES REVVING?