NewzVille Desk
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed DRDO’s Best Performing Scientists and Technical Persons, who witnessed the 77th Republic Day Parade as Special Guests today. Singh said, “Operation Sindoor demonstrated that indigenous systems are strengthening India’s operational readiness.”
He stated that DRDO’s technology was effectively used on the battlefield during Operation Sindoor, and the R&D Organisation is playing a key role in the rapid transformation of the defence sector based on the indigenisation pursuit.
He commended the crucial role of DRDO in achieving self-reliance that has become a national mindset under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The Defencee Minister stressed on the need to focus on R&D, exhorting the DRDO scientists to think innovatively & quickly, while not being afraid of taking risks. “Technology is changing rapidly. Any tech that is new today may become irrelevant in 4-5 years. Therefore, in today’s times, especially on the battlefield, we must move forward keeping in mind the theory of ‘survival of the fastest’ and not just ‘survival of the fittest’. The country that thinks, decides & deploys technology quickly stays ahead,” he said.
Rajnath Singh urged the DRDO to move beyond the sectors where the private sector has already developed its capabilities, suggesting the creation of a separate wing within the organisation that takes risks in sectors where the chances of success may seem low. However, if success is achieved, it will be historic, he added.
The event was organised by the DRDO to honour dedicated scientists, technical experts, and innovators whose commitment, perseverance & excellence form the strong foundation of India’s defence capabilities.
On the occasion, Singh distributed awards to the recipients of DRDO Award Scheme 2024.
The awards include:
Dr Bhagavantam Technology Leadership Award 2024 to Director, Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad BV Paparao for successfully leading the scientific teams of the lab in the design, development, and demonstration of world-class technologies related to Agni missiles and India’s first-of-its-kind Multiple Independently Targetable Re-Entry Vehicle technology for a Long-Range Hypersonic Cruise Missile.
Dr Nagchaudhuri Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 to Dr Balaguru V, Former Scientist CVRDE, Chennai for his exceptional efforts in realising prestigious defence platforms such as MBT Arjun MK-1 and the Indian Light Tank ‘Zorawar’.
Three Best Scientific Excellence Awards and two Best Technical Excellence Awards were also given.
A book titled ‘The Unprecedented Success Story of the First Indigenous Supersonic Multi-Target Surface-to-Air Missile System – AKASH’ co-authored by Dr G Chandramouli, Padma Shri, former Project Director of Akash and Dr Prahlada Ram Rao, Padma Shri and first Project Director of Akash, were also released which reflects the organisation’s research excellence, developmental strength, and strategic vision.
MoS, Ministry of Defence, Sanjay Seth, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, and DRDO’s Best Performing Scientists & Technical Persons, with their families, were present during the function.
