NEWS

Launch of DST-Lockheed Martin India Innovation Growth Programme 2009
December 02, 2008, New Delhi

The third year of the India Innovation Growth Programme, a joint initiative of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, FICCI and IC2 Institute, University of Texas at Austin received additional impetus with the joining in as partners of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India and the Indo-US S&T Forum.

The programme was launched by the Hon'ble Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on 2nd December 2008 at a technology exposition held at Federation House, New Delhi. Dr, Kalam, in his inaugural address, strongly supported and appreciated the joint effort of all the partners for this programme. He also emphasized the need innovation in our thinking to rejuvenate the agricultural sector particularly through value addition and the small and medium scale industries and enterprises for making higher levels of contribution to the GDP. Simultaneously, we have to enhance the rural and urban infrastructure particularly through the establishment of 7000 PURA complexes spread in different parts of the country. He further highlighted the importance of innovation and creativity for transforming India into a knowledge society.

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, stated, "Economic development is powered by competitiveness. Competitiveness is powered by knowledge. Knowledge is powered by technology & innovation."

During a special address at the function, Dr. T Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India said, " India is emerging as a major innovation hub and we need to further strengthen the ecosystem for converting ideas to innovations and finally to successful business ventures".

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ray O. Johnson, Lockheed Martin Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, stated, "The success of this program is directly attributable to the strong partnership formed between industry, government, and academia. This partnership has enabled new ideas to cross international borders as we join hands in promoting the tremendous entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in India. "

Dr. Arabinda Mitra, Executive Director, Indo-US S&T Forum, stated that, "This is a true model of public private partnership reaffirming Indo-US Science & Technology Forum's (IUSSTF) commitment to build India's grass-root entrepreneurial and innovation capability by adopting some of the best practices of techno-entrepreneurship in USA ".

Welcoming the guests and participants at the event, Dr. Amit Mitra, Secretary General, FICCI said, "FICCI's aim through the India Innovation Growth Programme is to rightly take the R&D efforts being carried out in the public and private labs of India to the marketplace. Such "Mind to market" initiatives are the need of the hour in order to create a win-win situation for both-the innovators and the industry. We have to transform India into knowledge society with innovation as the thrust area influencing the information society, industrial society and agricultural society."