Learn art of being humble from rishis: Parrikar tells scientists

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday has asked the government to increase its budget and allow recruiting new scientists to match China’s performance in defence R&D.

The sages of the Rigvedic era were “probably great scientists”, and defence scientists should learn several lessons from their “humble” lives, said Parrikar.

Parrikar was addressing the Directors” Conference of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in New Delhi, where he evoked scientific tempers and the spirit of “rishis’.

Before he spoke about “rishis”, Parrikar said he would like to touch on an issue which should not be taken in a wrong sense.

He then cited the example of rishi Dadhichi, who as per Hindu mythology gave up his life to enable Gods like Indra to fashion Vajras (indestructible weapons) from his bones to vanquish demons and reclaim Heaven. “So you can classify him into a scientist”, said Parrikar. But the major difference that I find in those days and today is that rishis had control over ego, control over anger. “Therefore, this interaction could be very a lot necessary”, Parrikar added.

He said the current value of production orders or DAC cleared systems from the DRDO stable stands at 1.79 Lakhs Crores, which does not include strategic systems.

“For a educated person, to have humility is one of the most important virtue”. “But I think it can also be substituted by involving yourself in more technology institutes like IIT and others with the participation of students”. “Hand- hold the Industry to make some products which you may have developed”, he said. “A case for recruitment of 436 scientists is with the government for approval”, he said.

He said the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) has export potential provided the scientists resolve “some small issues”.

“There is a need for enhanced budget and augmentation of scientific manpower”.

There is huge pressure on DRDO to perform as it has been found to be lagging in keeping pace with the requirements of the armed forces.