Innovate to enhance defence system, says ex-DRDO chief

NAGPUR: Engineers should make it a habit to experiment and innovate to enhance vigilance and defence system in the country, said VK Aatre, an eminent scientist and former head of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Tuesday.

Replying to the felicitation after being conferred with lifetime achievement award for his contribution to the field of science at Suresh Bhat Hall at a function organized by The Engineers’ Forum, Aatre said, “War is inevitable and therefore it is important to upgrade technology to prevent heavy destruction it causes in the end”.

Having played a vital role in the development of a wide spectrum of electronic technology and deeply involved in human resource development at DRDO, Aatre spearheaded the development of underwater technology for Navy through design and production of state-of-the-art transducer and sonar suits.

‘Role of engineers in defence of the nation’ was the theme of the 20th Engineers’ Day organized as a tribute to Bharat Ratna Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya. Annual souvenir of the forum was also published.

In his presidential address, Pramod Padole, director of Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), spoke about the similarity between research and development (R&D) of defence and engineers.

He said, “A large number of projects designed by the defence can be used for the benefit of the society. Equipment for vehicle tracking and night vision are to name a few. A lot of private sector firms have also collaborated with defence to come up with better technological solutions.”

Speaking about R&D at VNIT, Padole said, “The mechanical and metallurgy department is working on projects that are costing up to Rs60 crore and they are funded by various agencies. The biomedical engineering department also came up with a technique to convert 2D City scan into 3D solid model where complicated geometry is made easy. Mock operations can be carried out before the final surgery.”

President of the forum Prakash Kulkarni, working president Suresh Gandhewar, secretary Keshav Tayade and treasurer Yadao Laxane were seated on the dais.