Friends broke the wonderful news that you are back in your office a day after your retirement. I thought I must personally congratulate you.
Among the top management comprising officers who have gallantly delayed even the Golden Jubilee Monument Project of R&DE(E) by six years, you have achieved the unique distinction of successfully destroying a full Institution that was created by DRDO through some of us to bring in an element of accountability of Contracting processes in the Lab.
PDOC was DRDO’s response to the CAG audit report, CA No. 16 of 2012-2013 (Defence Services) that had detected 94% failures in R&DE(E)’s projects in 15 years and lamented that the Lab “did not even have a reliable database of the projects undertaken”. The Report further said, there was no mechanism in place to assess the “accountability of personnel towards success or failure of the projects”, implying that recommendations for promotions were based on dubious considerations.
PDOC had brought in the long-awaited order. A small team in a short time created an ISO-compliant IT-enabled database from whatever project documents it could lay its hands on. This wasn’t easy given that each project group was treated like an independent kingdom by their directors and they guarded their dark secrets jealousy. But the real skeletons began tumbling out when PDOC scrutinized the contract documents. This is where, you, at the helm of the ISO compliance, came to rescue of the culture of great Indian corruption which holds us from what it takes to become a developed nation. I am sure Mr Parlikar, the lab director, also deserves a lot of compliments for your reappointment.
The Modi government has done the right thing by jolting an ossified bureaucracy
India’s ossified bureaucracy is being shuffled like never before. The most recent development in this realm has been the rather dramatic sacking of Sujatha Singh from the post of the Foreign Secretary and the appointment of S Jaishankar to that position. The rumours about this development were floating around for quite some time. Still, when the decision actually came to replace Singh about seven months before the end of her tenure, it ended up sending shock waves through the complacent Indian foreign policy establishment.
No one seems to be contesting that Jaishankar is a great choice. Yet the critics of the decision have largely focused on bureaucratic niceties by suggesting Jaishankar’s appointment not only curtailed Singh’s career but also ended up blocking the career prospects of some senior Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officers. The reaction of the Congress Party has been rather strange with former information and broadcasting minister Manish Tewari trying to link the action to the Khobragade episode involving an IFS officer who was jailed in the US two years ago for allegedly mistreating her maid. He tweeted: “Is sacking of Foreign Secretary late retribution for her stand on Devyani Khobragade affair? Removal after a Presidential visit ‘coincidental’?”
Such criticisms of the government’s decision are missing the key point. This decision should be viewed as part of a larger, and much needed, bureaucratic shake-up that the Prime Minister is engendering. Just two weeks ago, the government had also terminated the appointment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Avinash Chander, 15 months before his contract was to end.
Prime Ministers till now have devoted, at best, occasional interest in nuclear and strategic policy issues, mainly preferring to delegate substantial levels of policy making discretion to organisations like the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The conduct of the DRDO has been largely driven by an effort to protect its direct communicative link to the Prime Minister, secure recurrent generous funding, and maintain a high level of autonomy. Given its significant budgetary resources in the context of a developing nation, DRDO has repeatedly failed in delivering quality output. Major projects of the DRDO including the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Nag missile, Long-range Surface-to-Air missile project and the Airborne Early Warning and Control System have either not been completed on time or have resulted in huge cost overruns. It took the agency almost a decade and a half to operationalise the Agni-I.
The inattention or inability of the Prime Minister’s office so far to take concrete steps to improve the DRDO’s performance and compel it to cooperate with other defence bureaucratic stakeholders has permitted it a remarkable degree of self-governance in budgetary prioritisation, project design and delivery time-scale planning, and setting operational policy through regular statements outlining the doctrinal meaning of DRDO products. Prime Minister Modi had criticised the DRDO for its chalta hai attitude during an address in Kargil in August last year when he had said, “If a project was conceived in 1992, it should not be the case in 2014 we are still saying it will take some more time.” And in December last year, India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence had censured the DRDO, accusing it of shoddy research, chronic inefficiency, inordinate delays, corruption and its penchant for reverse engineering. The government seems to have taken the bull by the horns and removed Chander to ensure some semblance of accountability in the organisation.
The appointment of Jaishankar as foreign secretary is also along the same lines that merit would be rewarded. The Indian Foreign Service (IFS) needs to recognise that business as usual is no longer enough. At a time when India’s global imprint is expanding rapidly, a risk-averse foreign policy bureaucracy will not be able to meet the aspirations of the nation. The idea that seniority should determine who should be the nation’s top diplomat is an idea whose time has long gone. But bureaucratic resistance has prevented any substantive reforms in the service. There are hardly any incentives to perform and hardly any penalties for underperformance.
As a result, nearly everyone in the diplomatic service manages to rise to the upper echelons. Despite the fact that the best and the brightest are no longer attracted to the IFS, there have been few attempts to cultivate outside expertise, with hardly any opportunities for lateral entry or temporary rotations. In fact, it was Manmohan Singh who had wanted to introduce lateral entry in the Indian bureaucracy in his first term but the idea was quietly killed by the bureaucracy (who else?). Personnel are scarce and demands are growing on the IFS but Indian diplomats have not managed to transform the service and change its character to suit the needs of the time. Is it any wonder then that ad hocism pervades Indian foreign policy thinking?
Bureaucracies, if not competently led and directed, tend to morph into interest groups with a focus on preserving their own institutional privileges. In democracies, effective political control and guidance is absolutely critical if the role of bureaucracies is not to become corrosive on policymaking. It is in the nature of bureaucracies to be risk-averse. Leave them alone and they will muddle along the path of least resistance, trying to increase their power by resisting change. The Modi government is right in shaking things up and making Indian bureaucracies more accountable and effective. But much more remains to be done!
Written by Vijaita Singh | New Delhi | Posted: December 24, 2014 2:19 am
Indian Express
The country’s scientist and DRDO chief Avinash Chander on Tuesday invoked mythology to explain the importance of intelligence network, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi cited Karna’s birth in Mahabharata to suggest “genetic science” existed in India even in ancient times.
Chander, the man behind the Agni series missiles, while addressing the Intelligence Bureau sleuths said “information gathering and intelligence have been emphasised even in Vedas and Puranas”, and invoked “Rig Veda and Atharva Veda” to send across his point that intelligence gathering had to be abreast with technology.
NSA Ajit Doval, new IB chief Dineshwar Sharma and outgoing IB chief Syed Asif Ibrahim were present on the dais when the DRDO chief addressed the function.
Delivering the 27th Intelligence Bureau Centenary Endowment Lecture, Chander, who is also the scientific advisor to the Defence Minister, said, “Information gathering and intelligence have been emphasised even in Vedas and Puranas. We find the invocations in Rig Veda and Atharva Veda, where it talks how the spies of Agni came down from the sky with thousands of eyes. The son of Brahaspati, teacher of gods, Kaccha was sent as a spy to Sukracharya to know the Sanjeevani mantra as explained in Mathsyapurana.” His term expired on December 1, but he was retained for two more years by the NDA government to head the post.
Chander, a IIT graduate, said, “In Sabhaparvam of Mahabharata ‘Lokapala Sabhakhayana Parva’ explains the importance of information gathering, establishing the spy network and related instrumentation in connection with the armed forces.”
To make his point, Chander said, “Arthashastra by Kautilya defines it as an integral part of court craft. The first of two chapters on establishing an intelligence system explain five kinds of spies for gathering internal intelligence.”
Comments
c.r.panicker • 2 hours ago
Bhagavat Gita advises three courses of action (1) Gyana Yoga (2) Karma Yoga and (3) Bhakti Yoga. Before doing something, acquire complete of the situation, then create a fool proof plan of action and act with all resources to tackle the situation. You will then succeed in your operation. In this sense what is wrong in quoting puranas and scriptures. There is nothing which need hurt the sentiments of non-Hindus
RCA • 4 hours ago
Please don’t refer to Vedas as mythology. That was the terminology of the British Raj, which referred to Christian holy book as scripture, but Hindu holy books as mythology (i.e a myth, or something that is not correct). Its time to fix this wrong terminology.
Sai bhargavs • 5 hours ago
its not mythology
SacchaDesi • 11 hours ago
Nowadays everyone has to quote from Vedas to keep their job. DRDO has been among worst performing indian organisation. May be this explains why.
sk • 14 hours ago
Bad mentality of media and psuedo secularists. The top Scientists world over quote Veda/Upanishads/Advaita all the time and they will be quoted much more in coming times as can be seen by new physicists openly adopting yoga/meditation path, like John Hagelin (Harvard/Stanford/CERN trained Quantum Physicist or his senior in that field like Schrodinger, Neils Bohr or even people like Peter Russell), the whole world invokes Veda/Upanishads more than Indians, Indians hardly discuss Upanishads/Advaita, Indians discuss bollywood, hollywood or other such stupid stuff more.
Intelligent people are becoming more and more truthful and so they do not care about saying whatever is truth, Vedas/Upanishads/Advaita/Patanjali/Yoga/Meditation are the firstto give basic truth about reality and consciousness, this recognition will only increase not decrease because it is truth. Also, these people gave these ideas in remarkably humble/detached ways with amazing simplicity so when an intelligent mind reads Upanishads/Advaita, there is little chance to not to be impressed by those ideas.
guest • 14 hours ago
The Vedas aren’t mythology, the Mahabharat and the Ramayana are.
Hegelman • 19 hours ago
This is a major violation of secularism and our constitution. The Hindutva Brigade is getting out of control. Hindu right wing outfits are quoting Hindu scriptures and mythology.
It is time for the Secular Brigade to swing into action. Secular leftwing organisations – not outfits – should answer back by citing Christian and Muslim historical facts.
Hegelman • 19 hours ago
How can this be allowed in India? No one in India must cite Hindu scriptures or mythology. This is a secular land, and such actions violate our constitution.
jois • 19 hours ago
very nice explanation from scientist. what is the problem? we are proud to be Indian
Davinder Prasad • 19 hours ago
Outgoing Chief Mr Saye Asif Ibrahim must have been amused at this silly comment from the incoming Mr Avinash Chander. May Lord God help Mr Chand to think straight, he has responsibility for the whole nation.
SK tyagi • 20 hours ago
Well our vedas are full of all info needed by us
Devil • 21 hours ago
What is wrong if an accomplished Scientist Mr Chander is illustrating a point by invoking puranas or vedas. In west, people cite greek mythology, bible etc extensively to make points. Its only some of de-racinated Indians who are shameful of our heritage & culture and always trying to ape west. If Mr. Chander would have illustrate the same point invoking bible or greek mythology or sun tzu, he wouldn’t have raised any hackles. Shame on such deracinated Indians.
Katewal Devil • 10 hours ago
Well said.
Mahalakshmi Iyer Devil • 12 hours ago
First of all you should know the difference between mythology and philosophy.
Philosophy and mythology have nothing in common. Mythology belongs to the religious domain, it is religion explained in stories. Myths are passed down one generation to the next, and they belong to a specific culture.
Philosophy, on the other hand, belongs more to the scientific domain. It is the work of one man, or a series of men, as they sit down to think about the origin of the universe, the purpose of life and so on. Most philosophy has nothing to do with religion, and it can explain the world without superhuman figures.
Devils will always flock together to justify their baseless arguments.
Davinder Prasad Devil • 19 hours ago
This is an equally silly comment, I am sorry to say. Being Hindu does not mean that you have to agree with every nonsense, I am saying this as a Hindu.
harsh baniya • a day ago
Anything wrong about that Indian Express? Don’t be so pathetic please.
harsh baniya • a day ago
So whats wrong in it …. ???? And btw Mahabharata is not mythology …. Foreign funded paid historians has termed it so
Ramesh Sharma • a day ago
He should have cited the relevant Vedic and Puranic sutras. Otherwise how can we verify his remarks? DRDO has grossly under performed given the resources at its command.
SC Ramesh Sharma • 2 hours ago
Have you ever gone through Vedic or puranic literature? Had you studied you would not have raised this query.
Mahalakshmi Iyer • a day ago
How long are we going to talk science on the basis of mythology? No wonder we are no where near China in Science & Technology even after 62 years of independence.
We must understand Scientific temper is different from mythological temper. Our defense and space programmes should be based on Scientific innovations and not on mythological farts.
kyafarakpadtakounhai Mahalakshmi Iyer • 14 hours ago
China followed the vedas and purana’s way before we did, all the technology in china has been spied and taken from the US and Europe, right from esculators, trains to their spaceship. What did china do on its own?
When a drone crashed in Iran, the Chinese were there even before US knew about the whereabouts of the Drone.
Even if it is Mythology, it has been conceived through experience.
In few centuries the atomic bomb and Einstein will also become Mythology.
Life on earth happens in cycles, if we are able to make the nuclear bomb, Bramha Astra must have been invented during the mythological times,
We have planes they have Pushpak Viman.
We have televisions they had Divya Dhristi.
The mantras are forumlas and proceedures to manufacture something.
We never believe in what we have at home, it is always bullshit, always things
outside our home look beautiful. The day we believe what we have is the day
when India will Surpass all other countries.
Bharani Komandur Mahalakshmi Iyer • 20 hours ago
Why do we keep calling Mahabharata and Ramayana as “Mythology” and not “History”. Why are Hindus so ashamed of their History? Also, DRDO can accomplish a lot, if there is political will. Our politicians want to keep “buying” technology, so that their Swiss Banks accounts can be filled. That is the problem. In China, the punishment for Corruption is Death Sentence, and they do Execute them. In India, we Celebrate corruption. That is the problem. I am sure, if he had cited Bible or Quran, we “The Secular Hindus” would have applauded.
anonymous • a day ago
Tell me why aristotles poetics is taught in MA (English) even today. the same should be true for indian scriptures. what is all this debale about.
Arjun Narayanan • a day ago
Communal remarks! How dare he even think of Hindu scriptures in a secular country. Shall we start a twitter trend to protest this? At least a one hour discussion on News Hour should happen right?
DG1 • a day ago
DRDO chief has gone nuts. If he really was a student of Vedas then the moribund organization that he heads would not be as pathetic as it is, given the funds and resourced poured into it to come up with something worthwhile and original.
Bharani Komandur DG1 • 20 hours ago
Please do not blame the DRDO. Do you really think that India can get to Mars, but cannot make a combat aircraft? Seriously? Politicians do not want the DRDO to make combat aircrafts or any high tech weapons. They want them to be “Imported only”, so that in those shady deals, their Bank Accounts in Switzerland and Mauritius can get filled.
LalaLajpatRai • a day ago
It is 100% true that several ancient texts talk about intelligence gathering though I differ with Avinash on his understanding of Rg Vedic texts. Instead of just quoting and claiming that we had all these before, it would have been useful if Avinash had really figured out what exactly we could use out of them in modern day context. Otherwise it is an empty useless talk.
sks LalaLajpatRai • 18 hours ago
what u can use from it is them importance of intel gathering. That’s what the poor fellow emphasized. Now what technology was used may or may not be relevant for today hence he didnt go in that direction.
Sachi Mohanty • a day ago
All the nincompoops are coming out of the woodwork. Or, may be, this shows how technical education does not ‘teach’ rational thinking.
Gwen Stacy • a day ago
Why do you have problem with scientist stating some fact? There are verifiable . All you need is to roll your finger on internet online translation of Vedas .
Indian First • a day ago
Nice going…great future for this guy.
sishtla • a day ago
What is your problems if certain facts are told in the interest of nation to assist in intelligence gathering.Do the writer wants some other religious text to show his secular credentials.If the trend continues the news paper will have to close its publication.
MKRao • a day ago
I am shocked to see but it almost seems like talking anything that is related to Hinduism in India has become an unpardonable sin these!!! Why are we are becoming so intolerable towards Hinduism?!!! Why nobody talks of religions which are only turning a normal humans into perverts, psychopaths and subhumans?!!!! When the source of all religions were meant to be for betterment of Humanity?!!!!
Prabakar • a day ago
Excellent
Mohanlal Com • a day ago
Absolutely true! All Bharatiyas should be proud of these invaluable sayings and the nation must implement the principles.
Venkat • a day ago
Great though the author seems to be somewhat skeptical. Please read about Mahaperiyavaa to understand everything that we see today our so called new discoveries and inventions already find mention in the Vedas there is nothing new to discover.
anil • a day ago
For idiots, what DRDO chief said is a mythology, but for intelligents, it is history.
Sundara Pandiyan • a day ago
Good to know that our scientists are well-versed in our history and heritage.
Curry • a day ago
May the spies of Jesus, his servant Modi, come down from the sky with thousands of eyes for DRDO chief Avinash Chander. Amen.
By Hemant Kumar Rout | ENS Published: 10th November 2014 -The Indian Express
BALASORE: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday greeted new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar with the successful test firing of new generation state-of-the-art long range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) Barak-8.
A model of Barak-8 missile | EPS
Defence sources said the missile, developed jointly by the DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), was test launched from the weapon test range in the Negev desert of Israel at about 10.20 am as per Indian time.
A DRDO release stated that the missile successfully intercepted a manoeuvring air-breathing target mimicking an attacking combat aircraft. The test also validated all the elements related to the naval and land-based variants of the missile including the phased array radar, battle management system, communications and the interceptor.
“After detecting the incoming aerial target through the system’s radar, the weapon system calculated the optimal interception point, launched the missile into its operational trajectory that acquired the target and successfully intercepted it. All the weapon system’s components met mission parameters successfully”, the release stated.
Barak-8 is an Indo-Israeli surface-to-air missile (SAM), designed to defend against aircraft, anti-ship missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In January 2007, India and Israel had signed a US$330 million deal to co-develop an all new generation of the Barak SAM, which has been named as Barak-8.
The missile has a length of about 4.5 meters, a diameter of 0.54 meters, wingspan of 0.94 meters and weighs around 275 kg including a 60 kg warhead which detonates at proximity. The missile has maximum speed of Mach 2 with an operational range of 75 km to 100 km. It possesses high degrees of maneuverability at target interception range.
A second motor is fired during the terminal phase, at which stage the active radar seeker is activated to home in on to the enemy track. Barak-8 has been designed to counter a wide variety of air-borne threats, such as anti-ship missiles, aircraft, UAVs and drones as well as supersonic cruise missiles, the sources added.
The test was carried out in the presence of DRDO scientists and officials of the Indian Armed Forces. The system is developed for both Israel defence forces and Indian armed forces. Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister and DRDO Chief Avinash Chander and President of IAI Joseph Weiss witnessed the test along with top officials of Israel defence forces.
According to IAI, Barak-8 employs a state-of-the-art phased array multi-mission radar, two-way data link and flexible command and control system. Congratulating scientists, Chander termed the event as a milestone in cooperation between the two countries in developing advanced weapon systems.
9 Comments
devasis • 24 days ago Parrikar the nation wants some action from you. Let us make our arms ourselves. The 80,000 crores we spend on importing arms could have been spent on health and education.
Davanand Atomic Singh • a month ago All this weaponry and yet still an army jawan and a civilian is dead. Are we using the weaponry for the right reasons? Here the minister is greeted with the launch whilst there are families crying for their loved ones. Can we correct ourselves and use the equipment for the right reasons and not shelve them for no purpose. These weapons have to be exploited or the enemy will just take control of our country, through intelligence or actions.
ron ban • a month ago Interesting thing is that India has co developed with Russia a ship killing missile named Brahmos …………… and with Israel has co developed a missile named Barak 8 to protect ships from Brahmos type missiles.
Mohit • a month ago
Do some more test and install this system in our new frigates and aircraft carrier “Vikramaditya”. They have been deployed without missile defense system.
NSR • a month ago Since India paid for the development of LRSAM and MRSAM, does it get the Intellectual Property completely, or share with Israel, or no IP at all?
How did Israel allowed to sell Barak-8 to other foreign countries? Does India also has right to sell it too if it wishes…
Mohit NSR • 25 days ago
India have contributed by developing rocket motor and actuation system for Barak-8 missile. IAI have worked on target seeker and radar. DRDO should have acquired technology from Israeli. This missile can be sold to other nation only when allowed by both India and Israel.
It is good that other nation are getting interested in acquiring this system as it will help in making money out of this and developing more advanced weaponry. 2) In the long term , India can sell off other missile system to these country as they have more confidence on Indian built systems 3) selling to friendly nation can help us in long term.
nicky NSR • a month ago
its a co-developed system so both have equal right over lrsam . yes India can export it any country but both India and Israel must agree first .if for example India wants to sell lrsam to Brazil but Israel not interested then the deal cannot go through .
NSR nicky • 25 days ago
I read somewhere that Israel is not going to transfer full technology of seeker and radar to us even though they used our money to develop it…I heard that they just supplied blueprints and India had trouble producing seeker from the supplied data…
After successful flight, even IAI president acknowledged that without India’s money it would have remained a design project only…
So I hope they do really transfer all technology and do more joint R&D, design, and manufacturing projects…
डी आर डी ओ पिछले दो सालों में बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी के बारे इतना ढिढोरा इसलिए पीटा क्योंकि एक तो इनके पास और कुछ डेवलप नहीं हो पा रहा था और दूसरा डी आर डी ओ द्वारा डा सेल्वामूर्ति को नंबर दो के पद पर बिठाना।
डा सेल्वामूर्ति डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन के नहीं थे वो तो लाइफ साइंस जैसे विषय से संबधित थे जोकि एक डी आर डी ओ का एक मुक़्तलिफ़ कार्य था परन्तु डा सेल्वामूर्ति के प्रोपगंडा स्पेसलिस्ट होने के कारण उन्होंने डी आर डी ओ के मुख्य मिशन से डी आर डी ओ को भटका दिया और सब अधिकारी नाम व् पैसे के कारण डा सेल्वामूर्ति के पीछे हो लिए। मंत्रियो और बाबाओ व् फ्लिम स्टार्स के साथ फोटो सेशन और टेक्नोलॉजी ट्रांसफर के नाम पर कम्पनियो से साठघांट और साथ में टेम्परोरी ड्यूटी का मजा लेने के लिए डी आर डी ओ मुख्यालय के सब अधिकारी डा सेल्वामूर्ति के जाल में फँस गए। डा सेल्वामूर्ति ने बहुत से डीम्ड यूनिवर्सिटी को डी आर डी ओ लाइफ साइंस बोर्ड के माध्यम से करोड़ो रूपए बांटे तथा उनसे अपने लिए व् अन्य डी आर डी ओ अधिकारियो के लिए मानद उपाधि ली व् कुछ अपने चापलूसों को पी एच डी करवाई।
बायो डायजेस्टर तकनिकी का कई बार डी आर डी ओ ने विभिन्न स्थानो में लोकार्पण करके देश के बहुमूल्य पैसो का जम कर दुरूपयोग किया।
One World South Asia
India’s DRDO develops eco-friendly toilets
Tripti Nath/ OneWorld South Asia Jul 23, 2012
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) dedicated to enhancing self reliance in defence systems, has demonstrated exemplary versatility by developing eco-friendly bio-toilets for soldiers for human waste management in high altitude regions.
The low temperature at high altitude halts and delays the natural biodegradation of human waste and leads to its accumulation which is an environment hazard.
The painstaking research spanning a decade involved study of the science of bio digestion. It began in 1998 and was carried out by a team of DRDO scientists who camped for 16 months in harsh weather conditions in Antarctica and identified psychrophilic bacteria that can withstand both summer and winter temperature. The bacteria were then brought back to the laboratories where they were cultured and their kinetics studied.
After DRDO installed 200 units of bio digesters in high altitude areas such as Siachen and Ladakh for its jawans and word spread about the advantages of bio toilets, the Planning Commission evinced interest in the technology developed by DRDO. The technology has been adapted successfully for use in all terrains.
Dr W. Selvamurthy, DRDO’s distinguished scientist and Chief Controller of Research and Development, said, “The Lakhsadweep Islands were facing water borne diseases and had approached the Planning
Commission for a solution. What began as a solution for jawans turned out to be a gift to society. The bio toilets are a blessing in rural India where only 30 per cent of population has private toilets.”
Not just this, big brother America is taking interest in the bio-toilets. Coming month, Dr Selwamurthy alongwith Dr Lokendra Singh, Scientist G and Director, Life Sciences, Defence Research and Development Establishment, Gwalior, will be travelling to Seattle in the United States to make a presentation to the Bill Gates Foundation as Bill Gates is reviewing the technology of bio toilets.
The presentation alongwith the exhibition of the innovation will be made at the invitation of the Bill Gates Foundation which is holding a global competition for best global solution for human waste management.
Dr Selwamurthy is confident that this will become a global technology. “ It is a unique IP (Intellectual Property. We have patented this technology not only at the national level but also at the international level.”
Better known as bio digesters, the toilets were conceptualised as DRDO’s solution for decomposition of biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high altitude areas.While 12,000 units in Lakshadweep islands are using DRDO developed technology , the railways which have faced severe criticism for stinking platforms and unsightly human waste littered tracks , are also using these toilets.
As of date, eight trains are running with 436 bio toilets based on DRDO technology in 191 coaches.” As part of the green intitatives promised in the Railway Budget for 2012-’13, the Ministry of Railways will provide 2500 bio toilets in its coaches. By 2016-17, the new railway coaches will completely switch over to bio toilets.
]The Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh, has given a go ahead for installation of bio toilets in 1000 village communities (gram panchayats) with a budget of Rs 400 crore. At the launch venue located only 15 kilometre from the Wheeler island where Agni V was successfully test fired early this year, the Minister for Rural Development promised that under the recently launched Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) , his ministry will ensure that all gram panchayats are covered in the next 10 years.
As of now, India has 2,40,000 gram panchayats.”
The DRDO distinguished scientist said, “ To begin with, we have installed six twin bio digester toilets in Odisha in eastern India. The Ministry of Rural Development will identify these 1000 villages communities and ensure that every village home gets a bio toilet.”
Dr Selwamurthy is satisfied that DRDO is discharging its corporate social responsibility. “ Our technology has a spin off. It is now going to States. The Minister for Urban Development has recommended that new housing societies being developed in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra, instal bio toilets.”
DRDO’s versatility has earned it praise from the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr Jairam Ramesh. While launching the eco toilet project based on DRDO’s bio digester technology in Dhamra in Odisha’s
Bhadrak district last month, the minister said that bio toilets can do to rural sanitation what Agni has done to India’s external defence. He said that the DRDO developed technology for bio toilets can bring a significant change in the quality of life of people, mainly in rural areas and help them lead a healthy life.”
Dr Selvamurthy agrees that the bio digesters will prevent the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging and meet its objective of discouraging open defecation and improving sanitation conditions. Open defecation is a huge problem in India and Sikkim is the only State that boasts of zero defecation in the open. Sixty per cent people in the world who have to go outside for toilets are from India.
The senior scientist, who has been part of the DRDO’s growth story for almost four decades, said that one toilet would cost Rs 15,000 but the cost would be borne by the Ministry of Rural Development. “Looking at the cost benefit analysis, it is not very expensive. It will prevent deaths that are caused by water borne diseases. A large number of children die due to water borne diseases. The durability of the whole system is 25 years. We have given it to 45 Indian companies for capacity building. We are willing to give it to other countries also. Industry will implement it under the Quality Assurance of DRDO. We are only monitoring it.”
DRDO to launch green toilets for civilians – The New Indian Express
Kasturi Ray Express News Service – BHUBANESWAR Published: 24th June 2012
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in a first of its kind attempt, will launch, not missiles, but bio-toilets for use by civilians. Scheduled to be dedicated to the nation on Sunday at Dhamra, 64 km from Bhadrak district, the bio-toilets project was conceived by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with Ministry of Rural Development.
With the objective of reducing open defecation and increasing sanitation, the project has been based on DRDO’s Bio-Digester technology developed by Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior, and Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, two constituent laboratories under DRDO.
The technology was used to decompose biological waste generated by soldiers deployed in high-altitude regions such as Siachen and Ladakh. It degrades and converts the human waste into usable water and gasses in an eco-friendly manner. The generated gas can be utilised for energy/cooking and water for irrigation purposes. The process involves the bacteria which feeds upon the fecal matter inside the tank, through anaerobic process which finally degrades the matter and releases methane gas that can be used for cooking, along with the treated water. Highlighting the technical aspects and features of bio-digester technology, Dr W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D Life Science & International Cooperation) stated, “The bio digester technology is an innovative and cost effective solution for a mega problem of water pollution and health hazard due to open defecation.
The effluent coming out of the bio digesters is odourless and harmless and could be used for gardening and irrigation as well. Minister of State (I/C) Statistics and Programme Implementation and Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Srikant Jena and Minister of Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation, Government of India, Jairam Ramesh are expected to be present at the inauguration.
The research body held a meeting with the RD Minister introducing him to the new technology and desired it be adopted in the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) that funds construction of toilets in rural households. Earlier, DRDO and FICCI had entered into a MoU for DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) programme.
The DRDO-FICCI ATAC programme is a unique initiative of DRDO and FICCI that aims for commercialisation of cutting edge technologies developed by various DRDO labs for civilian applications. The RD Ministry will be implementing bio- toilets in its sanitation campaign providing privacy to rural folks apart from dealing with waste management. CTRAN Consulting, a BASIX group company dealing with sustainability solutions, has provided techno-managerial coordination for this project.
Bio-digester would cost Rs 15,000 (approx) and plans are afoot to launch it in thousands of gram panchayats.
Event: Inauguration of First Eco-Friendly, Bio digester Toilets at Parmarth Niketan, Rishikesh
Esteemed government leaders, scientists and sevaks gathered together today to officially inaugurate the new eco-friendly, bio-digester toilets built at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh through the cooperation and hard work of DRDO, FICCI and Ganga Action Parivar. These toilets, which provide an environmentally-friendly and sustainable solution to the major sewage crisis India is facing, are the beginning of a partnership between these three entities which will help to bring eco-friendly toilets throughout the Ganga River Basin. In the first stage alone, 5,000 toilet blocks will be built hand-in-hand along the banks of Ganga in Uttarakhand.
To dedicate this historic step towards a clean and green India, many top leaders from both the Uttarakhand state government as well as the Central government alongside top scientists and directors, including:
Shri Aziz Qureshiji, Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand
Shri Pritam Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Uttarakhand
Shri Surendra Rakesh, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare and Transport, Uttarakhand
Shri Satpal Maharaj, Hon’ble Member of Lok Sabha and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defence
Shri Harish Rawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Parliamentary Affairs, Agriculture and Food Processing Industry, Government of India
Shri Nirankar Saxena, Senior Director, FICCI
Dr. Lokendra Singh, Director of Life Sciences, DRDO
Shri S. Radhakrishnan, Director, DI2TM, DRDO
Shri R. Krishnan, Director – HR, BHEL
Shri S. Sundaresh, Chief Controller, R&D (ACE&SI), DRDO
The Hon’ble Governor of Uttarakhand praised the resolve of the DRDO, FICCI, GAP and the Parmarth family in its dedication to environmental protection and the betterment of India’s homes, villages, towns and cities. He recognized how building toilets in public places and girls’ schools will not only help the state in remaining clean but will also be a great facility for tourists and pilgrims. In addition, it will help save women’s dignity and promote women’s education, thus toilets are a must across villages and cities.
Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, founder of Ganga Action Parivar, spoke on how it is everyone’s right to live with dignity, and thus current practices related to sewage management, such as manual scavenging, must be eliminated. Pujya Swamiji detailed how lack of toilets in villages, girls’ schools and elsewhere is a true curse on society, as it creates innumerable difficulties in so many lives. Women in villages must wait until it is dark to go to relieve themselves, causing many stomach and bowel issues and diseases. To protect their dignity, they must stand up every time a person or a vehicle passes by, and to avoid this women often walk out into dark areas and jungles to go to the bathroom – a very dangerous practice.
Pujya Swamiji also spoke about how building toilets is necessary for maintaining Gangaji’s purity and cleanliness, and that by building eco-friendly toilets within the Ganga Basin will not only help keep the environment clean, but will help our culture shine everywhere.
“Open defecation is blot on our culture.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttrakhand
“Toilets are a must for saving women’s honour.” – His Excellency, Dr Aziz Quresh–Governer Of Uttarakhand
“For environmental protection and the promotion of cleanliness, both industrial and spiritual institutions must come forward.” – Harish Rawatji
“Cleanliness of the environment and Gangaji will radiate our culture.” – Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
DRDO unveils eco-friendly complex based on bio-digester tech – The Economic Times
PTI Feb 26, 2014,
NEW DELHI: DRDO is achieving many successes on technology front and is being recognised for the facilities it has developed for the welfare of people, Avinash Chander, Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister, said today.
Chander, who is also Defence, R&D, Secretary, appreciated the efforts of DRDO while inaugurating Anusandhan Vihar, a self-contained residential complex at DRDO Estate
The 5.4-acre eco-friendly complex consists of 56 Type V & 56 Type IV accommodations sports and children park facilities, a DRDO statement said, adding that the highlight of the complex is that it is first ever residential complex based on DRDO-developed bio-digester technology for sewage treatment.
“The entire water is recycled for various purposes including treated flush water for arboriculture, soft water for bathing and washing purposes each of 2-lakh litre capacity and treated water of 80000-ltr per day capacity for drinking and cooking purposes,” it said.
As per a study carried out by Defence Terrain Research Laboratory, the ecological balance of the area is maintained because the complex has adequate amount of greenery, it said.
DRDO said it has signed MoUs with various states, Union Territories, FICCI and Ganga Action Plan for installation of more than 18000 bio toilets across the country based on the bio-digester technology.
Over 10000 bio-digesters are being installed in various types of passenger coaches of the Indian Railways.
Event: Bhoomi Puja for New Biodigester Toilets with Vivek Oberoi – 26 Feb 2014
Today at the final day of the Kumbha Mela, Vivek Oberoi took a pledge for the construction of the first 2 toilet complexes being built by a partnership between Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI. Led by Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji, the Founder of Ganga Action Parivar and President of Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, Vivek performed puja, yagna and a ceremonial “bhoomi puja” blessing for bricks to be used in the eco-friendly, bio-digester toilet complexes. The first toilet complex built by the partnership of Ganga Action Parivar, DRDO and FICCI was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh by the hands of the Honourable Governor of Uttarakhand; the second toilet complex was inaugurated at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, by the hands of revered saints of all the world’s religions at a huge “Environmental Protection for World Peace” event held on November 3, 2012 in honor of Pujya Swami Chidanandji’s 60th birthday. Now, further complexes are being built throughout Uttarakhand, and plans are underway for construction in Uttar Pradesh as well, including here in Allahabad. The 2 toilet complexes sponsored by Vivek will be located here in Allahabad and in the sacred teerth of Badrinath.
Last night, on February 25th, at the Ganga Action Parivar Camp, Pujya Swami Chidanandji showed a film which had been made on the need for toilets. The lack of proper toilet facilities is not only a major factor contributing to pollution in Ganga, Yamuna and all rivers, but also is a source of violence, fear and illness in girls and women. Embarrassed to go to the toilet in the daytime, they suffer innumerable ailments from holding until the dark of night. Then, in the dark of night, they fall prey to wild animals and violent men. Hence, the toilet program initiated by Pujya Swamiji is an answer to problems faced by Mother Ganga, Mother Yamuna and all the young and old girls and women living on their banks.
Said Pujya Swami Chidanandji: “Every time we drive and I see women and girls having to jump up in the middle of answering nature’s calls due to shame of passing cars, it hurts my heart and I feel that we are inflicting great physical and emotional violence against our “Matri Shakti” by not providing them with safe, available places to go to the toilet. Also, lack of toilets is one of the main reasons for young girls dropping out of school, so we are committed to building toilets in schools so our young girls can continue their studies. Our temples purify our minds and thoughts, but a toilet is necessary for the body. Just as temples are crucial for spiritual health, so are toilets crucial for physical health. That is why, after decades of building temples, I am now focused on building toilets.”
Said Vivek Oberoi: “I am so glad to be part of such an important initiative which not only helps keep Mother Ganga clean but which also is seva for all of our mothers and sisters — of every age — who don’t have access to toilets and must brave the jungle and rapists in the dark of night. Giving our women the dignity they deserve is our duty.”
Members of Ganga Action Parivar explained that currently, much of India’s sewage is disposed of within water bodies such as the Ganga. The Ganga is deluged with nearly 2 billion liters of human waste a day, while being the sole source of drinking water to a population approximating that of the United States, Canada and Russia combined. The resulting public health crisis has taken a tremendous toll. According to the World Bank, 21% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. Of these diseases, diarrhea alone is responsible for over 1,600 deaths each day.
The DRDO-Developed Biodigester uses no chemicals and requires no electricity, nor moving parts. Rather, the biodigester tanks provide an oxygen-free environment within which harmless bacteria dissolve all sewage. What’s left is clear, 99% pathogen-free water, which is rich in agricultural nourishments, and odor-free methane gas which can then be utilized as a fabulous source of energy. Cars have been developed which can reach a top speed of over 180 kph which are fueled for an entire year from the biogas produced from the sewage of just 70 homes. A consortium of Japanese auto makers reports that this fuel can potentially cut carbon emissions by 75%.
Ex-Defence Minister Sh. A K Antony recommended reconsideration of DRDO recruitment of scientists again from UPSC channel instead of DRDO’s own Recruitment Assessment Centre (RAC). From 1984 on wards RAC independently recruited scientists as or when required by DRDO. The RAC is managed by DRDO scientists who were under control of DRDO top brasses directly.
CVO, MOD analyzed after receiving several complaints against DRDO top brasses that there were a lot of manipulations done in laid down recruitment rules by RAC & senior DRDO officials to recruit their wards. CVO, MOD proposed CBI enquiries against 10 top DRDO scientists who were involved in such criminal conspiracy. CVO, MOD also suggested that RAC be scrapped and scientists’ recruitment should be done through UPSC again. For this it was suggested that a study is conducted that would evaluate the RAC functionality by XLRI, ASCI Hyderabad, etc.
As DRDO has several experts bluff masters who have already proven their expertise by fooling the nation in different important projects, few are delayed by several years and few are closed unceremoniously.
So again they came forward to counter CVO, MOD suggestion and gave HR audit to Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad. ASCI introduced just one program in DRDO in 2006-07. Today, in 2014, ASCI is running several programs in the name of risk management, basic project management and a lot of other gimmicks in ITM-Mussoorie, DIPAS-Delhi, DRDL, ANURAG and so on. It is essentially a give and take game with no scope for improvement or benefits of DRDO or the officials. This can be seen from HR Audit of DRDO: A Pilot Study, a feedback format by ASCI, Hyderabad enclosed for your ready reference.
Interestingly the format is very good but the process of feedback is very bad.
The ASCI approaches each lab/establishment of DRDO with the feedback format. I don’t know whether ASCI knows about the absolute power of DRDO directors or not. Example of LASTEC, when ASCI approached Director, LASTEC, Dr. A K Maini and asked for 20 volunteer names of DRDS, DRTC and Admin allied, he gave names of 20 chamchas (yes-men) in all categories. Can you imagine that ASCI will get the real picture of DRDO work scenario by using such methodology of assessment? It is impossible. These things repeat everywhere and this futile exercise is for countering CVO, MOD suggestion only.
The major check points for ASCI
Section 2 Point No. 1. (c) Working for nation attitude – Totally missing very few young scientists having such thinking.
(f) Professional freedom – Nil and this is the main reason of the exodus of nearly 700 in the last three years. You can verify this from continuous questions in the parliament on this issue.
(i) Rewards and recognition – Only reserved for chamachas. Please see the last ten years award list (in case of LASTEC local annual awards when Chairman award committee was Dr. R K Tyagi he gave award to himself and when Chairman award committee was Mrs. Neelam Malhan she gave the award to herself. It is not a joke; it is the great award culture of DRDO, which is followed in all awards of DRDO.
(t)Opportunity of Promotion – Only reserved for chamachas. Almost 90% results of every assessment were known by labs officials before assessment. In DRDO, officials are divided in three parts, one whom the director makes sure their promotions, second part those if get clear promotion line or not cleared director doesn’t bother and third part are those for them director makes sure that in any case they have to be deprived for promotion. This is a well known truth of today’s DRDO.
(u)Training – Only reserved for chamachas. Only name of selected officials cleared by Director’s office. It is immaterial whether person selected for training is related with his assigned work or field.
Remaining points are useless.
Point No 3.
(h) Workload – there are more than 50 % workforce (nearly 30000 personal) that has no work load due to outsourcing for minting money. It can be proved by analyzing their specific individual output.
(i) Grievances redressal mechanism – Very poor it can judged by the increasing number of court cases and representations received by Scientific Adviser , ASCI will not get clear picture from an individual feedback of chamchas.
ASCI will take money and forget but the nation who is going to pay for this HR Audit; it will get a big zero.
It is requested to DRDO’s honest officials to fill the following formats and send to ASCI mail address, nirmalya@asci.org.in to show the clear picture of DRDO to ASCI.
Dear friends,
I am looking this spirit in DRDO young scientists, few contacted and associated for noble cause, but still search is on at least one or two from each Lab come forward. I assure that these corrupt DRDO officials have no backbone basically they are beggars and always ready/ willing to lick the foots of suppliers and their bosses. the whole nation witnessed the KARGIL WAR and the statement of former Army chief V P Malik, who led the army during the 1999 Kargil war, has said “casualties in the conflict could have been reduced had DRDOnot come in the way” in the acquisition of weapon-locating radar. “Delivery delayed is delivery denied,” said Defence Minister A.K. Antony.
The fact finding committee from DRDO Hqrs reaching on 13th March 2014. It is requested to all honest and devoted DMSRDE officials without fear expose the prevailing corruption in their lab in the interest of nation and organization.
To 24th February 2014Sh A K Antony,Defence Minister,Room No – 104, South Block,New Delhi -110011
Subject: Patriots are vulnerable and easy prey for corrupt officials of DRDO
Honorable Sir,
Please find enclosed a representation of Sh G Jupiter of ASL, DRDO, Hyderabad to Sh Ranjit Sinha, IPS, Director, CBI for seeking justice.
Sh G Jupiter helped Intelligence Bureau (IB) to nab the espionage activity of DRDO.
The officer had a meeting with Ms Rosy Sharma then Deputy Secretary, D (R&D) Ministry of Defence on 20th and 21st June 2001.
Sh G Jupiter helped the Government of India to exposed and fixed mafia and spy agent operating in DRDO.
Intelligence Bureau (IB) officer Sh K T Moses has awarded Indian Police Medal for exposing this case, however, Sh G Jupiter was victimized by DRDO for the same act to the extent that he had to approached Honorable Court (CAT) for justice but mighty DRDO did not honor the Honorable Court (CAT) judgment till date and happy to harass a genuine honest patriot.
To maintain the honesty and commitment to the nation, it is requested that this case may please be treated with open heart and the officer should be given justice and his dues the nation woes.
Letter of Sh G Jupiter address to Sh Ranjit Sinha, Director, CBI
Letter of Ms Rosy Sharma then Deputy Secretary, D (R&D) MoD
Letter of Sh G Jupiter address to Sh Ranjit Sinha, Director, CBILetter of Sh G Jupiter address to Sh Ranjit Sinha, Director, CBILetter of Ms Rosy Sharma then Deputy Secretary, D (R&D) MoD
Tripoli varsity
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE
HYDERABAD, May 4: Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Srinivasulu, who was nabbed by Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials and city police here on Thursday night, was found to be working as a faculty member in the Tripoli University in Libya.
IB officials, acting on a tip off, sought the assistance of city police, who arrested the B-grade defence scientist at the Rajiv Gandhi International airport when he was about to board the Dubai-bound Air-India flight.
According to sources, Srinivasulu neither submitted his resignation nor obtained permission from the DRDO authorities for working in Libya. He obtained a passport without the knowledge of DRDO which is statutory. He left for Libya an year-and-half back and joined as a faculty member in the university at Tripoli.
During interrogation, Srinivasulu reportedly confessed before IB officials that he was taking some secret documents with him and one of his colleagues at Tripoli university, Kumar, was also involved in the spying.
Sources added that Srinivasulu has planned to go to Sharjah by the Dubai-bound Indian Airlines flight and then to Malta Islands in Africa by air. From there he was to catch a ship for Tripoli.
