Address during XIV Convocation of

National Institution of Industrial Engineering

Mumbai
16 August 2008

National Challenges for Industrial Engineering

I am indeed delighted to participate in the XIV

Convocation of National Institution of Industrial Engineering
(NITIE) Mumbai. I take this opportunity to congratulate the
students of NITIE for their excellent academic performance. I
greet the Director, Professors and staff for shaping the young
minds and preparing them to contribute to the nation in
multiple fields. Dear graduates, when you complete your
education in this Institute, the learning and in turn the
empowerment will certainly assist you to meet the challenges
in life. My best wishes to all of you. When I am in the midst of
students, I would like to talk on the topic “National
Challenges for Industrial Engineering”.

During the last 9 months, I have visited and interacted

with students and faculty members of 19 foreign universities
(10 in America, 6 in Europe and 3 in Asia). During these visits,
I found that all these universities are concentrating on

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

www.abdulkalam.com

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research. For example, Waterloo University, I saw a solar
powered car developed by the students which has been driven
many parts of the world. The famous Black Berry is the
product coming out of Waterloo research. Carnegie Mellon
University had developed a robotic car which has participated
in an International Competition. Arkansas University and Rice
University have realized a solar photovoltaic cell using carbon
nano-tube in the laboratory with 50% efficiency against the
present 20%. The research and development in these
universities has enriched the quality of teaching and the
quality of teaching is enriching the research and development.
Wherever I went, I saw that research teaching research each is
re-enforcing the other. I am sure, these examples will be
emulated by the faculty members and students of NITIE,
particularly since NITIE is a Techno-managerial institution.

Ambience Ascent Phase

In Indian history, very rarely has our nation come across
a situation, all at a time, an ascending economic trajectory,
continuously rising foreign exchange reserves, global
recognition of our technological competence, energy of 540
million youth, umbilical connectivities of 25 million people of
Indian origin in various parts of the planet, with the potential
sharing capacity of knowledge and resources and interest
shown by many developed countries to invest in our engineers

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and scientists including setting up of new Research &
Development Centers. There is however a need for reducing
the inflation faced by our economy. The distinction between
public and the private sectors and the illusory primacy of one
over the other is vanishing. India as the largest democracy in
the world has a reputation for its democracy and for providing
leadership to one billion people with multi-cultural, multi-
language and multi-religious backgrounds. Our technological
competence and value systems with civilizational heritage are
also highly respected. Foreign Institutional Investors are
finding investing in India attractive. We need to accelerate this
process through hassle free single window system of clearance
for investment proposals. Our industrialists are also investing
abroad and opening new business ventures. The Indian
economy is growing with an average annual GDP growth rate
of over 8 to 9%. We have to work hard to sustain the growth
and enhance the rate of growth to 10% of GDP.

In this context, now let me describe my visualization of

the distinctive profile of India by 2020.

Distinctive Profile of India by 2020

1. A Nation where the rural and urban divide has
reduced to a thin line.
2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and
adequate access to energy and quality water.

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 3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service
sector work together in symphony.
4. A Nation where education with value system is not
denied to any meritorious candidates because of
societal or economic discrimination.
5. A Nation, which is the best destination for the most
talented scholars, scientists, and investors.
6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to
all.
7. A Nation where the governance is responsive,
transparent and corruption free.
8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated,
illiteracy removed and crimes against women and
children are absent and none in the society feels
alienated.
9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, devoid of
terrorism, peaceful and happy and continues with a
sustainable growth path.
10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is
proud of its leadership.

Integrated Action for developed India

To achieve the distinctive profile of India, we have the

mission of transforming India into a developed nation. We
have identified five areas where India has a core competence

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for integrated action: (1) Agriculture and food processing (2)
Education and Healthcare (3) Information and Communication
Technology (4) Reliable and Quality Electric power, Surface
transport and Infrastructure for all parts of the country and
(5) Self-reliance in critical technologies. These five areas are
closely inter-related and if progressed in a coordinated way,
will lead to food, economic and national security. The major
mission is the development of infrastructure for bringing rural
prosperity are through Provision of Urban Amenities in Rural
Areas (PURA) through creation of three connectivities namely
physical, electronic, knowledge leading to economic
connectivity. The number of PURA for the whole country is
estimated to be 7000. Educational institutions like NITIE can
definitely participate in evolving road map for development of
PURAs in Mumbai region. I have come across such example
in Periyar PURA at Vallam in Tamil Nadu, where students and
teachers of Periyar Maniammai College of Engineering and
Technology are working in the planning and development of a
cluster of sixty five villages involving one lakh population. In
order to achieve Vision 2020 from the present ambience, the
role of educational institutions like NITIE is to generate quality
human resource backed with value systems derived from our
civilizational heritage. Since, I am in the midst of students
being prepared for techno-managerial expertise, I would like to

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give my experience with a teacher who taught me system
design, system integration and system management.

Learning integrated system design

While I was studying aeronautical engineering in MIT,

Chennai, (1954-57) during the third year of my course, I was
assigned a project to design a low-level attack aircraft together
with six other colleagues. I was given the responsibility of
system design and system integration by integrating the team
members. Also, I was responsible for aerodynamic and
structural design of the project. The other five of my team took
up the design of propulsion, control, guidance, avionics and
instrumentation of the aircraft. My design teacher Prof.
Srinivasan, the then Director of MIT, was our guide. He
reviewed the project and declared my work to be gloomy and
disappointing. He didn’t lend an ear to my difficulties in
bringing together data base from multiple designers. I asked
for a month’s time to complete the task, since I had to get the
inputs from five of my colleagues without which I cannot
complete the system design. Prof. Srinivasan told me "Look,
young man, today is Friday afternoon. I give you three days
time. If by Monday morning I don’t get the configuration
design, your scholarship will be stopped." I had a jolt in my
life, as scholarship was my lifeline, without which I cannot
continue with my studies. There was no other way out but to
finish the task. My team felt the need for working together

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round the clock. We didn’t sleep that night, working on the
drawing board skipping our dinner. On Saturday, I took just
an hour’s break. On Sunday morning, I was near completion,
when I felt someone’s presence in my laboratory. It was Prof.
Srinivasan studying my progress. After looking at my work, he
patted and hugged me affectionately. He had words of
appreciation: "I knew I was putting you under stress and
asking you to meet a difficult deadline. You have done great job
in system design”.

Through this review mechanism Prof Srinivasan, really

injected the necessity of understanding the value of time by
each team member and brought out the best from the system
design team. I realized that if something is at stake, the
human minds get ignited and the working capacity gets
enhanced manifold. That’s what exactly happened. This is one
of the techniques of building talent. The message is that young
in the organization, whatever be their specialization, be
trained to systems approach and projects, which will prepare
them for new products, innovation and undertaking higher
organizational responsibilities. Teacher has to be a coach like
Prof. Srinivasan. When you go out of this institution, many
opportunities are awaiting you. I would like to share few of
them.

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National Missions and opportunities

Agriculture and food processing: We are in the mission

of generating 340 million tones of food grains with reduced
land, with reduced water and with reduced workforce from the
present 230 million tonnes. New technology is needed in
agricultural area from seeds to cultivation to the grain, food
processing and marketing. This entire chain will enable
employment particularly in rural areas in a big way.

Infrastructure: India is aspiring to build hundred million

homes within next ten years. The infrastructure development
in metropolitan and tier-2 cities needs to be enhanced in the
form of new bridges, airports, marketing complexes and
industrial units. 40% of the rural areas need to be covered
with all weather roads; we need to double the present national
highways ratio for the 100 square kilometer area.
Simultaneously, we are in the process of developing ports,
railway systems and airports. For example, the Indian
Construction Industry employs over 31 million people for its
asset generating activity of over Rs. 3,10,000 crore which
includes expenditure of Rs. 2,00,000 crore incurred by the
Government. This will need development of specialized quality
human resource in all the spectrum of construction activity.
This task will need reorientation of our education system for
generating world class skills among the youth.

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 Energy: Energy Independence is our national goal. We
are determined to achieve this within the next 25 years i.e by
the year 2030. When our population may touch 1.4 billion
people, demand from power sector will increase from the
existing 145,000 MW to about 400,000 MW. This assumes an
energy growth rate of 5% per annum. Electric power
generation in India now accesses four basic energy sources:
Fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal; Hydroelectricity;
Nuclear power; and Renewable energy sources such as bio-
fuels, solar, biomass, wind and ocean. We need a major
thrust in solar energy (55,000 MW) and wind energy (64,000
MW) nuclear energy (50,000 MW) hydro power sources (66,000
MW) and bio-mass and municipal waste (20,000 MW). For the
transportation sector, we have to concentrate on bio-diesel,
ethanol and emulsified fuel.

Safe Drinking Water: Over 50% people do not have safe

drinking water in India. We are in the process of embarking
on the major mission of “Interlinking of Rivers” in the nation
and the statewide creation of “Waterways” which will act as a
reservoir to accommodate floodwater and enhance the
irrigation, navigation and tourism.

Healthcare: India is in the mission of “Health for all”

programme and “Vision 2020” for eye care. It provides
tremendous opportunity in the primary, secondary and
tertiary healthcare. We are also in the mission of establishing

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tele-medicine centers in the Primary Health Centre of 2 lakh
panchayats through connectivity mission via Satellite,
Terrestrial and wireless links. We have to enhance the
nutrition aspects of all citizens, particularly women and
children and also provide 100% sanitary facilities in homes,
schools and other public places.

Pharma Vision: The global production of

pharmaceuticals, branded and generics put together is of the
order of $550 billion. The Indian Pharma industry at present
has a turnover of $12.5 billion of generics for domestic and
export markets against the production of $78 billion worth of
generics in the world. Pharma Council has evolved the Pharma
Vision 2020 with a view to make India the leader in drug
production. We have set a target of producing 40% of world
generics production. Indian pharmaceutical companies have
got the core competence for producing cost effective and
quality Pharma products. Our Pharma companies are working
towards molecule to drug and have embarked on number of
research programmes in developing medicines using our
traditional knowledge.

Information and Communication Technology: India

has to become “Knowledge System Powerhouse” instead of
software powerhouse. Also to achieve global operations, we
have to consider introduction of virtual platforms for
development of knowledge products based on national

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experience in engineering design of multiple systems leading to
a business volume of US$200 billion by 2012 from the present
business volume of US$60 billion.
Aerospace field: In the area of space, India has to
work for Low cost access to space bringing the cost per kg
from the present $20,000 per orbital kg to $2,000. This will
eventually lead India to take part in many mass missions for
earth applications and interplanetary exploration for industrial
base and second habitat. India has to work for 70 seater
aircraft which is viable to be produced before 2020 and with
enormous potential for air transportation in our country. This
will lead to a business volume of US$15 billion.

Automobile: The automobile industry in India accounts

for a business volume of US $ 45 billion. Definitely, it has a
potential to grow much faster both through Indian
manufacturers and many well-known international
manufacturers who have established huge facilities in the
country. We are poised to increase business volume to US $
200 billion by 2016 with an export component of at least US
$50 billion.

Shipbuilding: India today builds ships for oil exploration,

service vessels, port operations, self-propelled barges for river
transports and cargo ships upto 92,000 DWT. In addition, we
have facility for building combat ships for the Indian Navy. By
2008, we will have three shipyards for building vessels of

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capacity 100,000 to 150,000 DWT. We have to create facilities
for vessel ranging from 150,000 DWT to 300,000 DWT.
Simultaneously, there is a need for setting up of shipyards.
The technology has under gone a sea change. Many of the
shipbuilders in the world are building for India.

Rail Vision 2030: I have suggested increasing the

railway route length from the existing 63,000 kilometer to
90,000 kilometer, increasing average speed of trains to 200
kilometer per hour, establishment of number of metros,
integrating Indian Railways with inland smart waterways with
15,000 kilometers waterways, construction of multilevel
railways platforms to reduce platform crowding and overall
increase in the passenger and freight throughput.

PURA Mission: As I said earlier, the entire country will

have 7000 PURAs (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas)
encompassing over 600,000 villages. The theme of PURA,
apart from concentrating on reinforcing agriculture, will
emphasize on agro processing, development of Rural
Craftsmanship, dairy, fishing, silk production, so that the
non-farm revenue for the rural sector is enhanced, based on
the core competence of the region. Also the PURA complexes
will be driven by renewable energy such as solar, wind, bio-
fuel and conversion of municipal waste into power. In this
approach, the aim is to make sustainable development using
the core competence of the rural sector. In addition Periyar

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PURA and Vallam (TN) has developed a scheme called “one
village one product” where 40 products from 40 villages have
been selected after two levels of exhibitions in India and Tokyo
in partnership with JETRO. Such programmes have to be
spread in all parts of the country based on the core-
competence of individual region.

All these programmes which I have mentioned above

have social, research and technological content with
substantial amount of opportunities for techno-managerial
experts. Individuals can carve out their own niche areas and
prepare themselves for providing quality techno-managerial
support which will enable execution of the economic
programmes in time and at internationally competitive costs.

Conclusion
Since I am in midst of the techno managerial audience, I
would like to talk about the relationship between the national
economic development and creative leadership.

Nation’s Economic development is powered by

competitiveness.

The competitiveness is powered by knowledge power.

The knowledge power is powered by Technology and
innovation.

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The Technology and innovation is powered by
resource investment.

The Resource investment is powered by revenue and
return on Investment.

The Revenue is powered by Volume and repeat sales
through customer loyalty.

The customer loyalty is powered by Quality and value
of products.

Quality and value of products is powered by
Employee Productivity and innovation.

The Employee Productivity is powered by Employee
Loyalty, employee satisfaction and working
environment.

The Working Environment is powered by
management stewardship.

Management stewardship is powered by Creative
leadership

For success in all these missions, it is essential to have

creative leaders. Creative leadership means exercising the
vision to change the traditional role from the commander to
the coach, manager to mentor, from director to delegator and
from one who demands respect to one who facilitates self-
respect. For a prosperous and developed India, the important

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thrust will be on the generation of a number of creative leaders
from our educational institution like NITIE.

Once again let me congratulate all the graduating

students NITIE Mumbai. My best wishes to all the members of
NITIE Mumbai for success in their mission of generating high
quality techno managerial human resources for the nation.

May God Bless you.

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