K’taka man heads centre aimed at commercialising security innovations

Mangaluru: In just over a year since it’s launch, Security and Scientific Technical Research Association (SASTRA), pegged to be India’s first innovation and incubation centre in the security sector, has not only been hand-holding six startups developing various autonomous systems, but has also signed an agreement with the Indian navy for commercialisation of four innovations.
Headed by Konark Rai, who hails from Puttur in Dakshina Kannada district, SASTRA, which operates under the aegis of Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gujarat, among other things aims to “elevate sprouting innovators and facilitate an efficient work environment dedicated to the advancement in the domain of national security.”
Stating that it will particularly focus on integrating modern technologies and relevant doctrines to support the security forces of India and its allies, the incubation centre said the primary objective is to facilitate a three-way engagement between academia, industry and the government for innovation, incubation, indigenisation and technology acceleration in the security sector.
“The country needed SASTRA because homegrown innovators lacked a platform backed by the ministry of home affairs that could help in taking security innovations to the next level. Launched in September 2020, SASTRA is currently supporting six startups related to autonomous systems including drones and boats. Most of the prototypes are ready and final products are set for deployment,” Rai, managing director, SASTRA, told TOI.
Pointing to how the association is a pioneering effort that would strengthen national security with emphasis on civil defence fusion, Rai said that RRU has now signed an agreement on its behalf to commercialise innovations developed and patented by the navy.
Rai, who started his schooling at Bishop Cottons Boys’ School in Bengaluru later studied at Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva School, Alike and St Victor’s School in Puttur and did his graduation from Gujarat National Law University before working as a political and policy analyst in the United Nations.
Elaborating about the agreement, Rai said the navy has agreed to assign licenses of four innovations developed and patented by them — surgical gowns called ‘Navrakshak’; oxygen recycling system called ‘Aadyant’; a low-cost digital stethoscope called ‘Spandan’ and technology for a dental dome: a ‘mobile micro-dental clinical amplifying bio-aerosol protection’ — to SASTRA for commercialising.
“The navy has a wide range of innovations for which patent applications have already been filed. Through NIIO (Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation), it has agreed to assign the license to SASTRA, which will manage and commercialise such products by entering into Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreements with select MSMEs to ensure that products gets mass produced for the larger benefit of the society,” Rai said.
The NIIO, launched on August 13, 2020, puts in place dedicated structures for the navy to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence.
“At SASTRA, we work towards an Atmarakshit Bharath and at the service of those serving the nation,” Rai, whose parents Pramod Kumar Rai and T Shobha Rai are based in Puttur, said.