Innovative Solutions for Global Impact: Insights from IIT Madras Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala at Tamil Nadu Story 2024
At Tamil Nadu Story 2024, IIT Madras Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala discussed how solving India's large-scale problems with unique approaches can provide global solutions.
He highlighted India's progress in technology and education, citing advancements like affordable telephony and energy-efficient innovations.
Jhunjhunwala emphasized the need for practical applications in education, the benefits of academia-industry collaboration, and India's growing talent pool that prefers to contribute locally rather than abroad. His insights underscore the potential for India to lead in technological and economic development.
Lets take a look on what points we will cover- 2.Unique Solutions for National Problems |
Introduction
At the Tamil Nadu Story 2024 event in Chennai, IIT Madras Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala emphasized the importance of solving India's large-scale problems uniquely to make global contributions.
He highlighted challenges in energy efficiency and the potential of India's youth in driving innovation.
Image: Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Image courtesy: IITM research park
"We need to solve our problems in a unique manner. If we do (so), we can solve similar problems globally"
Ashok Jhunjhunwala
Unique Solutions for National Problems
Ashok Jhunjhunwala stressed that by tackling India's problems in innovative ways, the country can offer solutions to similar global issues.
He illustrated this with the example of improving heating and cooling system efficiency, which significantly impacts energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Jhunjhunwala pointed out India's success in reducing telephony and internet costs, showcasing the nation's ability to make technology affordable.
He also discussed future advancements like autonomous public transportation and personalized energy-efficient buildings.
India's Progress Over the Years
India's progress over the years
Image courtesy: The Finance Express
India has made tremendous progress in the past thirty years, transforming from a nation with scarce basic amenities and technological infrastructure to a global leader in IT services, space technology, and pharmaceuticals.
However, many households still rely on outdated systems, presenting both challenges and opportunities for technological innovation.
Jhunjhunwala, who returned to India in 1981 after studying in the USA, recalled the early struggles of making telephones accessible and affordable.
He noted that reducing the cost of telephones from Rs 40,000 to Rs 10,000 in the 1990s was a turning point in India's growth story.
Leveraging Young Talent and Education
Education in India has seen significant improvements, with millions of engineering graduates being produced annually.
Jhunjhunwala emphasized the need for education to focus on practical applications rather than just theoretical knowledge.
Practical problem solving
Image courtesy: AllAboutLean.com
"Many youngsters focus on publishing papers rather than solving practical problems"
said Ashok Jhunjhunwala
He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and industry, which led to the creation of startups that are now vital to India's growth.
These startups often operated on a self-sustaining model, borrowing money from banks rather than relying on government or industry funding.
Addressing Brain Drain
Jhunjhunwala addressed the issue of brain drain, noting that less than 10% of IIT graduates now go abroad. Many top talents from smaller cities prefer to work in India, contributing to the nation's growth.