DRDO turns to NRIs to reverse brain drain

DRDO turns to NRIs to reverse brain drain

Rajat Pandit, TNN Mar 13, 2008, 03.09am IST

NEW DELHI: Pack your bags, return to India and work in the cutting-edge defence technology arena to bolster the country’s military strength.

Often lambasted for huge time and cost overruns in strategic projects, the Defence Research and Development Organisation now wants to add some solid NRI firepower to its armoury.

After losing close to 1,500 scientists to much greener pastures of corporate world just since 2002, DRDO is stepping up its ‘talent search scheme’ to lure NRIs into its fold through some ‘reverse brain drain’.

The scheme for NRIs, though still in its infancy, has already netted at least 40 PhDs and MTechs working in academics or industry in countries like US, UK, Japan and Sweden.

“We are intensifying the drive. In 2007 alone, we received 150 applications from NRI scientists and engineers and finally picked up 22. The number of applicants is increasing, with the majority coming from US,” a top DRDO scientist told TOI on Wednesday.

Defence minister A K Antony, on his part, told Parliament that DRDO, faced with an ‘attrition rate’ of around 7% every year, was now processing applications ‘quickly’ in the NRI talent search scheme.

“They are being interviewed through televideo conferencing for their quick appointment in DRDO. The process is repeated three-four times a year to increase the intake of NRIs,” he said.

At present, DRDO has around 6,900 scientists against a sanctioned strength of 7,255. But the greater worry is the ‘quality’ of scientists, with DRDO unable to attract bright youngsters from institutes like IITs in sufficient numbers for its 52 laboratories and establishments across the country.

It hopes to gain some ground through the NRI scheme, both in terms of quantity and quality. “The NRIs bring new knowledge, expertise, work ethic and culture,” said the scientist.

But will the scheme attract good talent, considering that those selected will get a carry-home monthly package of just about Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000? DRDO seems reasonably confident of it.

“NRIs in the 35 to 45 age-group, having worked abroad for 10 or more years, have enough buffer money. If they want to come back to their kith and kin, we can provide them with job satisfaction,” said a senior DRDO official.

“We also give value in terms of accommodation, working environment and facilities in our labs, health benefits, pension and the like,” he added. Then, of course, DRDO has demanded a ‘performance-based incentive package’ for scientists, over and above the revision in salaries, from the 6th Pay Commission.

This includes proposals like a Rs 10,000 award for every patent being filed or a paper being published in a reputed journal, as also a ‘technology-transfer fee’ for every lab-to-industry transfer.

DRDO scientists say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself has promised to them that careers in science will be made ‘more attractive from all perspectives’ to stem brain drain.

Apart from fiscal and career incentives, they say the government is also considering facilitating mobility between institutions, between institutions and academia, as well as from research institutions to the production and marketing sectors.

rajat.pandit@timesgroup.com

Readers’ opinions (33)

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Raja (India)
13 Mar, 2008 01:41 PM
India has always been a growing economy; esp. in last 7-8 years. India has very confidently entered in 21st century. Today, countries like: U.S., U.K., Japan have realised that. Canada and Australia have realised India’s potential too; but still – i believe it is just a matter of time before they start getting more serious like U.S., U.K. and Japan. This is an excellent move. And Guys… for many NRI’S; money is not the only criteria to be staying outside their own country. If they are getting similar opportunities in research and development sectors, growth opportunities – than why not? All the best.

arun (china)
13 Mar, 2008 01:32 PM
This move could be a good idea as well as dangerous move. But critising the idea and giving a wrong message (as done by some readers) is not a correct approach. It is accepted that the politicians (like Arjun Singh)spoil the whole education and working institutions. So we will try to put in our effort to protect our motherland for the enemies in our shoulders (china & pakistan). Bring in talents and dollars.

NAGRAJ (HYDERABAD)
13 Mar, 2008 01:23 PM
WHICH NRI WILL COME AND JOIN DRDO. THE DESERVING AND HARD WORKING SCIENTISTS WITH IN DRDO ARE SIDE LINED AND FORGOTTEN AND FELLOWS WHO DONT DO A NAYA PAISA OF JOB AND WHO ARE RHETORIC AND WHO HAVE GOOD RELATION WITH HIGHER UPS HOLD VINTAGE POSITION.LET DRDO RECOGNIZE THE TALENT WITH IN AND HONOR THOSE WHO DEDICATED AND BROUGHT THE MISSILE TECHNOLOGY TO THIS LEVEL SO THAT IT MAY SERVE AS MOTIVATION FOR THE YOUNGER SCIENTIST TO PERFORM BEFORE ASKING THE NRI TO PACK AND COME BACK. ASK THE NON PERFORMING FELLOWS IN DRDO TO PACK AND LEAVE AND ALL WILL BE WELL.

dev (australia)
13 Mar, 2008 01:21 PM
Though having no research qualif. etc..looking at your readers comments..anybody can realise the problem in getting back NRIs..India seems to be run by politicians and bureaucrats..In Western countries the tech people dont kowtow to anybody. If any pollie or bureaucrats create small problem for techie…it will end up in court quite fast. And the legal ppl also will not give any support to their fellow bureaucrats/pollies. So you can see, the babuji culture is the main culprit in india.One of your readers also suggest the solution..having entrance exam for politicians.

Dr. P. Metlapalli (USA)
13 Mar, 2008 12:29 PM
DRDO must be crazy to think anyone would come back from USA for Rs 35000 – 45,000 p.m. in the middle of pothole-ridden roads where no vehicle can move (soon all traffic will come to a standstill in India – with so many vehicles adding daily to the world’s lousiest roads). Politicians are busy with keeping their grip on power – they should first face legal action than try for elections. Their final aim to make 90% reserved – one day a reserved doctor will do their surgery and even then they won’t wake up. All this so-called “economic boom” will collapse the moment US stops outsourcing. India is simply doomed forever, unless they have a “government by merit” – politicians selected by entrance exam than elections. That way their link to elections will be cut and things will automatically get sorted out.

sac (India)
13 Mar, 2008 11:42 AM

Dear NRIs, Dont even THINK of returning to India. You will find your self in the middle of the Mud Reservior. And this mud reservior is a stincking one. India is and will always remain country of illeterate and goondas. It is and will always be ruled by Illeterate and roadside people called Politicians and Mantris. Most of the NRIs repent and look for jobs back in the better coutries in a period of year or 2. The way India is shown to the world is a myth. And in reality, this country and country politicians has no will to improve. The rulers of this country will keep this country poor, countrymen illeterate FOR EVER. Come to India only if you want to KILL your peace of mind, your career, want to beg for everything in front of corrupt beaurocrats, police and politicians and most important, if you want your children and all future generations to ABUSE and CURSE you FOREVER. Think 1000000000000000000 times before coming to India.

Rajivi (Mangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:41 AM

Instead of appealing to the NRIs, the DRDO, being a government organisation, should provide an atmoshpere of good working condition and good salary. Now a days, with the cost of education going up and up, the brilliant scientists would not want to work for peanuts,after spending huge amount on their education. Being a retired government employee, I know how the working atmoshpere is, and also the pain seniours experience, when they have to work under the Juniors, in the name of reservation.

Rajivi (Mangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:41 AM

Instead of appealing to the NRIs, the DRDO, being a government organisation, should provide an atmoshpere of good working condition and good salary. Now a days, with the cost of education going up and up, the brilliant scientists would not want to work for peanuts,after spending huge amount on their education. Being a retired government employee, I know how the working atmoshpere is, and also the pain seniours experience, when they have to work under the Juniors, in the name of reservation.

dms-sd_CA (California, USA)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

Just a note: If your hair has not turned gray and thinned out on the top – it is highly unlikely that you are truly a genious scientist !

Mitesh Joshi (Pune)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

I don’t feel that it is possible for DRDO to attract a “pure techie” from the Silicon valley of US, Hi-tech labs of Japan, Sweden etc… coz they are living a cool life with 4-5000$ per month.Money matters… envionment matters….Government strategy matters…. Nation’s International decision matters…. As we konw the bitter reality of our system i.e. it works for only-only for vote bank & money at any level of corruption. Real techie wants to work on realities & needs, not on time to time changing Govt. policies & courrupt enviornment. They actually have lost the faith in our country system & its leaders. Currently there is a drain of techie’s of middle level layer too in name of studies & marriages. They are now focusing on Australia as their next destination as US is already saturated.

Mitesh Joshi (Pune)
13 Mar, 2008 11:32 AM

I don’t feel that it is possible for DRDO to attract a “pure techie” from the Silicon valley of US, Hi-tech labs of Japan, Sweden etc… coz they are living a cool life with 4-5000$ per month.Money matters… envionment matters….Government strategy matters…. Nation’s International decision matters…. As we konw the bitter reality of our system i.e. it works for only-only for vote bank & money at any level of corruption. Real techie wants to work on realities & needs, not on time to time changing Govt. policies & courrupt enviornment. They actually have lost the faith in our country system & its leaders. Currently there is a drain of techie’s of middle level layer too in name of studies & marriages. They are now focusing on Australia as their next destination as US is already saturated.

Satyanarayan (Singapore)
13 Mar, 2008 11:20 AM

Ask Arjun Singh (our HRD minister) to call NRIs, it would be better. Ask him how much % given for NRIs. To get good scientist pls. stop reservation in indian secuirity. For development of India minority reservation should be totaly eliminated.For DRDO first stop pilitics inside and start working. Do not take your relatives if you are in selection board.

Ajay (Delhi)
13 Mar, 2008 11:17 AM

I think India is going in a right direction. By recruiting NRI specialist, India can grow much stronger and faster in right direction. Jai Hind.

EMC3 (India)
13 Mar, 2008 11:14 AM

Ok…Now we have american spies also inside DRDO…These NRI’s will get paid from CIA as well as from DRDO..The CIA will also create a good identity and resume for them…

krishan (singapore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:54 AM

I dont know how many scientists in the age group of 35-45 will be attracted to this kind of sums, above all we all know the commitments that Indian employees carry,,its just too lazy out there, no accountability. Good luck to DRDO but I dont think it will work out.

P.M.G.Pillai (<ANNAR ALLAPUZHA)
13 Mar, 2008 10:47 AM

The defence minister homself has admitted in the floor of loksabha that ther is an atrition rate of seven percent of scientists from DRDO.People should analyze why this is taking place?After all India need trained,itelligenct scientists for under taking research when that is the fact why this large scale migratio occurs?one can under stand about the LACK OF FACILOITIES,encoutagements from government because poltical leadershiplack VISION hence criticise every aspect of a project for delay with out under standing and knowing the real cause of this Another depatt the accountant general will criticise for over running the cist here also lack knowledge lastly the pay packet also will pinch the concerned. All these causes drive our yong and upcoming intelligent scientists searcg for avenues where they will be given red carpet receotion and lot of encouragment.Hence the attrition.The government must under stand this fact and remedy the situation to ensure that these bright yong men are given honoured positions to under take their research indisturbed

N. S. Talekar (Kunming)
13 Mar, 2008 10:43 AM

This again goes to show that we are not producing quality scientists (Ph. D.) in Indian universities. The NRIs that the government wish to attract hold Ph. Ds from universities abroad. If we produce quality Ph. Ds like American, Australian, and European universities do, such scientists can do the job that government wishes NRIs will do and be happy with the salary that government plans to offer to NRIs. Our top undergraduates (e. g. IIT products) are as good as any in the world, but I cannot speak that for our Ph. Ds. Solution to this quality problem is simple but I doubt the current government has will power to discipline the research universities to improve their research standard.

Yash (MD, US)
13 Mar, 2008 10:43 AM

Bull Shit, — $1000 -1100 a month ..even NRI Cabbies in NY ..or sweepers in heathrow airport ..or construction labor in gulf won’t bother to look at DRDO option.. wake up from Slumber DRDO .. India govt funded institutes have fundamental problem like reservation ..red tape .. sluggishness ..that cause good techies to shun them

james (delhi)
13 Mar, 2008 10:39 AM

Rather than trying to woo in NRI’s, the DRDO needs to make itself attractive to the young and upcoming scientists and students in india. india has never had a dearth of scientific talent. the way DRDO can do that is by actively participating in the various institutes and universities. Moreover DRDO needs to fix definite goals and reward scientists once that is reached. Merit needs to be rewarded. It should get rid of all reservatoins and only take in people with talent. It should start funding research groups who come up with innovative ideas and plans. DRDO needs to be much more dynamic. It has to get rid of that “babu” culture which is very much prevalent. It can learn a thing or two from ISRO and a lot from NASA. Right now DRDO is like a half dead horse with no intention of running.

V Shankar (Coimbatore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:23 AM

The DRDO initiative to attract NRI scientists is welcome. However, the Govt. S&T establishment should do serious introspection into why people leave in the first place. Not all talented people leave for better monetary benefits. They leave because the challenge or vision is not there. One problem is that the leaders are all the time worried about which post to apply for, which tour to go on next. They are also burdened (albeit self-inflicted) by a lot of exracurricular activities, so much so that the main thrust of their role is lost to the organization. It is all too easy to showcase a few achievements and get away with any kind of performance. The leadership is very happy creating good followers who will do what they say. Very few of our top scientists make time to handle and nurture top talent, given their preoccupations. It is time the government did serious introspection into how the top leadership in our S&T organizations, including universities functions. We need to take concrete steps to address systemic factors that remove focus from the mission and put institutional interests above individual goals. V. Shankar

vinay (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:23 AM

Tell them to give 80% reservations. They should do good then.

snq (muscat)
13 Mar, 2008 10:14 AM

even after all emigrations to the greener west , india still has a lot of talent. whereas greener west makes a mountain of a mole hill of talent with its supportive environment, in india we even trash mountains of talent to mole hill because of politics of reservation as a vote ban

G S RAINA (NEW DELHI)
13 Mar, 2008 10:09 AM

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN SUCCESSFUL..NEITHER IT WILL BE,…FOR SURE..IN ANY CASE WOULD ANY NRI BE SATISFIED WORKING ON A TECHNOLOGY WHICH HE CAN ‘DEVELOP/ INNOVATE’ ABROAD..WOULD ONE LIKE TO BE THE USER OR THE INVENTOR?

Manjunath (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 10:03 AM

DRDO seeing one more “Day Dream” !!

R.Varadarajan (Bangalore)
13 Mar, 2008 09:55 AM

A good idea to attract good scientists.

C V Pillai (Mumbai)
13 Mar, 2008 09:50 AM

Having worked in a well known Institute for nearly 30 years, I had tried to analyse the problems faced by the best talents who opt for employment in India. The main hurdle is their superiors, who refuse to accept their subordinate’s level of competancy. The pity is that many of these superiors are following the same British style hierarchy,(which is still being followed by our Babujis in NewDelhi) without realizing the situtaion. The situation means the facilities and status offerd by the private sector. Therefore the necessity is to change the attitude of the middle and high level persons in these establishments and then only the newly selected will able to perform well. Appropriate training / counseling may be given to these Officers to understand the changed environment. The Defence minister may please look into this at the earliest.

gadadhari_bhim (usa)
13 Mar, 2008 09:47 AM

I think what the DRDO fails to recognize that it’s not the technical quality of people which is creating a problem. The Problem is the environment where there is no accountability and lack of true meritrocracy. Of course there are issues of pay and other facilities to the scientists i.e. if you want to want to attract top people you have to give top pay and best working environment

Badri (Hyd)
13 Mar, 2008 09:45 AM

I think DRDO has taken a good step towords Brain Drain. It was late but they have implemented it..Govt company’s in India has got lot of potential only thing is they want proper process and mangement in place. My sincer advice atleast dont implement reservation at that high profile jobs….. hunt for talent.

Prabhjot (London)
13 Mar, 2008 09:44 AM

Brain drain has an exponential relationship with salaries. With a carry-home monthly package of just about Rs 35,000 to Rs 45,000, DRDO must be dreaming to attract back NRIs.

TruLies (Chennai)
13 Mar, 2008 08:50 AM

Why dont INDIA allow private R&D in defence projects. Govt can procure its weapons from them, save lot foreign exchange. With this govt can create more jobs. Latter these companies also will go export…

JK (MN)
13 Mar, 2008 08:26 AM

DRDO feels they are the god father of all the techies migrated to US.First you clean those mess then think about brains.

ashwani (canada)
13 Mar, 2008 08:06 AM

It is good to hear that we are finally planning to attract talent for DRDO but is it possible to keep DRDO away from rserved jobs at lower levels who finally also get promoted to higher levels.

Dr.G.Srinivasan (india)
13 Mar, 2008 07:32 AM

Ask Arjun singh and his coterie he will get you the necessary brains

rk (USA)
13 Mar, 2008 05:41 AM

Its time to scrap DRDO. Enough of tax payers money wasted.