Kakodkar asks students to remain India-focused

Seeking support from Indian nuclear science professionals to carry forward research on the atomic power programme, Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar has asked students to focus on India rather than look towards the West.

"There was no doubt on the capabilities of Indians. India had been making important contributions to the global knowledge pool for ages. The process is continuing even today," he said addressing the 41st convocation of Utkal University here.

"I often wonder why despite having capabilities for original thinking, we remain vulnerable to foreign dependencies," Kakodkar said.

Stressing that it was crucial to build technologies out of the knowledge pool available in the country, the eminent scientist said India could not become world leader and survive global competition unless the country achieved leadership at least in areas where Indians have strength.

"The domestic linkage between high level of research activity and its conversion into new innovative technologies can be nurtured only on the basis of such an orientation, as otherwise there is a continuing possibility of Indian brains contributing to western technologies with attendant higher costs in accessing them for development," Kakodkar said.

Noting that India holds one of the largest human resource pool of experts in the field of nuclear science and technology, Kakodkar said  "Internationally there is recognition of our strong technological capabilities in this area".

He said that professional support for power programme was need of the hour.