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Many BrahMos staffers have official data on personal devices:ATS FIR

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Shisher Arya, TNN: October 12, 2108

Nagpur: Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) investigators grilling Nishant Aggarwal have reported that the BrahMos Aerospace systems engineer confessed to having copied data related to the missiles from his senior colleague Alan Abraham’s computer, when he was still undergoing training in the organization.
The First Information Report (FIR) registered by Uttar Pradesh ATS was accessed by TOI. It says Aggarwal told investigators that he had copied the data from the official computer of his colleague around four years ago, without his permission. The person from whose computer the data was downloaded was posted at the Hyderabad facility of BrahMos Aerospace, where Aggarwal was undergoing training. The person has now quit the job and is pursuing a research project in Canada.
Aggarwal had just joined the organization four years ago, and was posted at the facility in Nagpur before arrested three days ago.
The FIR says Aggarwal confessed that he had copied the data without his colleague’s permission. However, he has also named close to a dozen other colleagues, who, he claims, have even more sensitive data stored on their private computers as wel. the designations of these colleagues include his peers andeven seniors.
However, Agagarwal had no answer to how official data, which was supposed to remain a secret, reached his personal devices pertained to mution of war, supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles.
The FIR further says that apart from storing the details in in personal devices, Aggarwal also had links with two Pakistani Intelligence Operatives (PIOs).They were in contact with him through fake Facebook (FB).accounts in the name of Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan.Aggarwal did not reveal anything on how did he got in touch with the two persons on Facebook.Their e-mail IDs have been traced to Pakistan, said the ATS.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that among the papers seized by ATS from Nishant’s computers is a user manual of the missiles supplied to the Indian Navy. The manual is, however, supposed to be 10 years old,and a routine document each engineer has for his reference.Much changes have been made to the system since then, said sources.
Sources said it was sometime during 2011 that such information was provided in soft copy to a number of BrahMos Aerospace employees for reference.Even this was supposed to remain in official computers only.After that, software that does not allow data to be copied or altered has been put in place.
Sources say the investigations began after an IAF officer was held on similar charges early this year. It was found that Neha Sharma was a Facebook friend of this officer too. An army officer at Jabalpur too was under scanner.
The FIR mentions that the PIO agents using fake names had been extracting information from top officials of important defence establishments of the country. Their tactics included honey trapping and even blackmailing and bribaery.
IN A NUTSHELL
Colleague from whose computer Aggarwal copied data was posted at Hyderabad, Aggarwal was trainee at that time.Colleague has quit job and is now pursuing research at Canada.
Aggarwal named a dozen other colleagues who have official data on their computers.
ATS FIR says two Pak operatives — Neha Sharma and Pooja Ranjan – had befriended many defence officials.
Honey-trapping, bribery and blackmail were tactics to glean information.

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Defence deals stuck due to lobbying, Parrikar says

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TNN | Nov 13, 2014, 12.29AM IST
PANAJI: Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday said most defence deals are stuck because of lobbying, vested interests, and kickbacks that happened during the last 10 years of Congress rule at the Centre. He said his priority is to clear the controversy and speed up acquisition in a transparent manner.

“My target is to clear all weapons purchase deals one by one on a priority basis, beginning next week,” said the country’s new defence minister, adding that he will also strengthen the army’s fighting capability, logistics, and infrastructure. He further said he will strengthen the armed forces with pre-emptive measures that discourage cross-border firing on the line of control.

He said India need not worry about Pakistan or China or any other country as the country’s defences are strong.
Speaking to party workers on his maiden visit to Goa after being sworn into the Union Cabinet, he said that after being extensively briefed over the last two days, he has realized that India has no need to worry about any other country.

Parrikar, who is on a five day visit to Goa, told media persons that everybody knows what happened in the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper deal and there was a question mark raised on the acquisition of fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). He refused to elaborate on the fighter aircraft deal.

“Most (defence) acquisitions made have some controversy. I don’t want to go into the details, but my job is to clear the controversy,” he said, adding that the more you go in for tightening on corruption, the more you raise the question, and the deals get more complex, and one should adopt a transparent method where no questions are raised.

Asked to react on incursions in Arunachal Pradesh by the Chinese military, Parrikar said this type of incursion and crossing the imaginary line of control happens many times in many sectors, but it is taken care of on the same day or within a couple of days. “Except on one or two occasions, there has been no serious incident.” He added the ministry will take steps to avoid such incidents in the future.

He said he will look at the country being able to produce indigenous weapons based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘make in India’ concept. He also said that revamping of the DRDO is on the cards, but “as of now I have not taken any decision. Right now, I want them to perform”. He further said the ministry will concentrate on improving training capacity, and filling up vacancies of officers in the army.

Parrikar was given a rousing welcome at the Dabolim airport by Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar and the state cabinet.

Drdo

Role Model and an Inspiration for Women Scientists – Especially for DRDO

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“We feel Tessy Thomas serves as a role model and an inspiration for women scientists to achieve their dreams and have their feet planted in both worlds successfully,”

In January, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told the Indian Science Congress that Ms Thomas is an example of a “woman making her mark in a traditionally male bastion and decisively breaking the glass ceiling”.

Ms Thomas – the media also love to call her Agniputri, or one born of fire, after the missiles she has helped develop.

An expert in ‘solid propellants’, which fuels Agni missiles, she is based at the Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad. ????????

But the charismatic scientist says she has never faced any anti-female bias at her workplace ??????

The media loves calling her Missile Woman – and with good reason.- By Pallava Bagla, Science Journalist

‘Agni Putri’ Tessy Thomas breaks glass ceiling – Rajat Pandit, TNN

Women scientists enter IIT council – Akshaya Mukul, TNN | Sep 2, 2014

NEW DELHI: The IITs, predominantly a male club that never had a woman director or scientist in its council, is in for a big change.

HRD ministry has nominated two women scientists Tessy Thomas and Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath to the IIT council, the apex body of 16 IITs.

A senior HRD official said, “The idea behind getting women scientists in the IIT council is to show that science is not the sole preserve of men. Women can be at par with men in carrying out research.”

Some of DRDO women scientists truly inspired by Tessy Thomas and all DRDO witnessing the progress of those women scientists who are following  Tessy Thomas’s footsteps.

Few examples are

Ms J Manjula, Outstanding Scientist/Sc ‘H’ has taken over as Director DARE wef 01 July 2014.

Ms. AVACHAT SS, Scientist ‘G’ ARDE, Pune Expertise in Documention 

Dr. Manisha Sathe, Scientist ‘E’, DRDE – YOUNG SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 2007

Dr. Vineeta Nigam, Scientist ‘E’ DMSRDE

And lot of other in queue

To                                                                                            9th September 2014
Ms Prisca Mathew, CPIO, Under Secretary,
Room No. 428-C,
TECHNICAL EDUATION BUREAU,
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT,
SHASTRI BHAWAN, RAJENDRA PRASAD ROAD,
NEW DELHI – 110 001

 

Hello,
Kindly provide me with the following information requested under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in respect of Ms Tessy Thomas nomination by HRD Minister as director in  IIT council, the apex body of 16 IITs.

  1. File noting for nomination of Ms Tessy Thomas, Scientist-H, Director, ASL, Hyderabad (DRDO) as  Director in IIT council
  2. Whether any request were made from Min. of HRD for nominating/suggesting the name of candidate from DRDO for nominating as Director in IIT council (Y/N)
  3. If yes then provide certified copy of letter sent by Min. of HRD to the DRDO.
  4. Whether DRDO submitted/proposed the name/recommendation  of Ms Tessy Thomas to Min. of HRD (Y/N)
  5. If yes then provide the certified copy of the recommendation letter.
  6. Criteria for nomination for women Director in IIT council by HRD and list of names consider for nomination of women Director.
  7. Credential submitted by Ms Tessy Thomas or by DRDO for nomination of Director in IIT council.
Regards
 
Prabhu  Dandriyal,
21-Sunderwala, Raipur, Dehradun -248008 
0135- 2787750,   9411114879,  
prabhudoon@gmail.com    www.corruptionindrdo.com
 
Registration Number DOHED/R/2014/64247
Drdo

DRDO Recruit 500 Scientists this financial year 2014

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To
Smt. Sudha Krishnan,
Joint Secretary (Pers), Department of Expenditure,
Room No. 39-A, North Block.
New Delhi – 110001

Subject: DRDO recruit 500 scientists this financial year 2014

The news was published in Times of India “DRDO to recruit 500 more scientists this year” – Vishwas Kothari, TNN Jan 8, 2014,

Directorate of HRD, DRDO vide their letter no DHRD/77001/C/M/010 dated 22 August 2012 conveyed to all Lab Directors/Establishment that the Government for Sanction of additional scientist posts to meet only the immediate and unavoidable critical requirements against the ongoing projects/progarammes as per the advice of Ministry of Finance.

The Lab Directors are therefore to submit scientists’ requirement as per enclosed   “Appendix ‘A’ “

How the government has been fooled and the poor tax payers money is being misused can be observed by “Appendix ‘A’ “, deployment of scientists (DRDS personals)

The Performa “Appendix ‘A’ stats the scientists requirement as under:-

  1. PROJECT/PROGRAMME WISE
  2. NON-PROJECT WISE (TECHNICAL JOBS)
  3. ESTABLISHMENT ACTIVITIES

Two third of scientists are needed for

 dhrd table1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All these above activity is earlier in DRDO doing by admin allied cadres which were duly approved and sanctioned by Government of India, and come through UPSC recruitment system, but unfortunately in the last week of December 2010 DRDO director’s conclave some directors raised voice against the admin allied officials quoting that  they are creating hurdles by pin pointing the Government orders. The DRDO directors want to run their own rules and they very much sure that the big boundary walls of their territory can stop their all illegal acts in the name of secrecy.  So it was decided in year 2010 itself that they will remove admin allied cadre phase wise.

If you examine the current scenario of each DRDO lab will find everywhere 30 – 40 % scientists are engaged in above mentioned assignment.

The best part of this these scientists who are engaged in admin allied task are enjoying all special perks and allowances which are given specially to scientists in VI pay commissions and also  getting fast promotions in respect of those scientists who are devotedly working in projects/ programs. It is because of their proximity with top management of DRDO.

Due to this incompetency is growing very fast in DRDO. This has resulted into large number of litigation due to incompetent scientists handling the administration and HR activities.

The current ongoing example the grade pay 4800 was inducted without taking proper sanction from Min of Finance and hundreds of effected employees filed case in CAT.

There lot of complaints registered by CVC/CVO MoD in respect of recruitment procedures  were manipulated several times by these incompetent scientists who were looking HRD/Administrations and resulted Sh A K Anthony, Defence Minister recommended a CBI inquiry against 10 top DRDO officials on 29th October 2013.

Major setback is that by implementing this practice of using scientist for sundry task the real scientist losing their interest in work and most of the time either leave the organization or sit idle.

So all these fabricated demand of DRDO may please be thoroughly examined with their time bound impact.

Finance Ministry requested to send their rep to meet admin/ allied officials of DRDO before sanctioning the post of scientist.

Finance Ministry must examine the DO part orders of all respective 52 Labs of DRDO, which will be best way to verification of utilization of scientific / technical manpower of DRDO.

Regards

                                                                                                                        25th January 2014
Prabhu Dandriyal                                                                                                                            
21-Sunderwal, Raipur, Dehradun -248008                                                                             
0135-2787750 – 91-9411114879                                                                
prabhudoon@gmail.com,  www.corruptionindrdo.com
 
Enclosed :  DHRD, DRDO letter no DHRD/77001/C/M/010 dated 22 August 2012 dhrd page1
dhrd page11
 
 
dhrd page12
 
dhrd page13
 
dhrd page15
 

DRDO to recruit 500 more scientists this year

Vishwas Kothari, TNN, Jan 8, 2014, 03.24AM IST

PUNE: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) plans to recruit 500 additional scientists this year to meet its workforce requirement across different levels and projects.

“Our present recruitment is focused on filling vacancies that arise from retirements and resignations. However, considering the kind of projects we have been working on, we have moved a proposal with the Union government for an additional recruitment of 500 scientists,” DRDO’s human resources (HR) chief Malakondaiah said on Tuesday. “The government had asked us to file the proposal projecting our need,” he added.

The collective cost of DRDO’s ongoing projects, including Aakash missile, light combat aircraft ‘Tejas’ and Brahmos missile, is worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore. The organisation has close to 7,500 scientists as part of its existing force, he said.

Malakondaiah, who is chief controller of research and development (HR), was in the city to address the valedictory function of the 71-member ‘batch-18’ of the Post Induction Training School (POINTS) at the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), a deemed university under the DRDO in Girinagar here.

Started in March 2003, POINTS is an initiative to impart integrated training to newly inducted scientists in the beginning of their career in DRDO laboratories and projects. So far, the school has trained 3,394 scientists from 17 batches and the 18th batch was the first of its kind, comprising graduates and postgraduates only from the Indian Institutes of Technology, Indian Institute of Science and DIAT.

Malakondaiah said, “Unlike conventional industries like information technology, DRDO is facing an almost negligible rate of attrition vis-a-vis resignations, which contributes barely one per cent of the arising vacancies. This is due to the fact that the Sixth Pay Commission has vastly reduced the gap in the pay scales offered by DRDO and private corporate bodies. This has also helped the organisation to attract and retain young scientific talent emerging from the IITs and IISc.” The additional recruitments will go a long way in resolving some of the issues related to the shortfall of workforce in projects across DRDO, he added.

Meanwhile, POINTS programme director Ajay Misra gave an overview about the training activities at the valedictory session, while DIAT vice-chancellor Prahlada addressed the young scientists. Deputy director D Srikanth was also present.

Drdo

Sanctioned in ’83, LCA Tejas is yet to take off

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Sanctioned in ’83, LCA Tejas is yet to take off

Rajat Pandit, TNN Feb 12, 2008, 01.55am IST

NEW DELHI: When defence minister A K Antony witnesses a flight demonstration of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in Bangalore on Tuesday, he should take a close look at the fighter which typifies all that is wrong with defence projects in India.

The LCA project was sanctioned way back in 1983 at a cost of Rs 560 crore to replace the rapidly aging MiG fighters.

A quarter of a century later, with project costs already pegged at Rs 5,489.78 crore, the LCA is still at least four years away from becoming fully operational.

And when IAF finally inducts an LCA squadron, around 2012 or so, it will fly with American GE-404 engines and radars developed with Israel’s help, apart from several other ‘foreign’ parts in what is touted to be an ‘indigenous’ project.

Yes, developing a supersonic fly-by-wire fighter jet from scratch, with international sanctions in place for several years, is an extremely complex task. “But taking almost three decades is criminal,” said a senior official.

“All the agencies involved in it like the Aeronautical Development Agency, Defence Research and Development Organization, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and even the IAF, which has frequently changed requirements of weapons and electronic warfare midway, have to share the blame,” he added.

For the record, the two LCA technology demonstrators and three prototype vehicles have clocked over 800 flights till now, accumulating 425 hours and covering a flight envelope of 1.4 Mach and 15-km altitude.

Last year, the LCA even test-fired its first air-to-air missile, prompting the defence ministry to proclaim it as “a historic event” marking the beginning of the “weaponization” of Tejas. But the fact remains that the deadlines for the IOC (initial operational clearance) and FOC (final operational clearance) of Tejas have been revised time and again. As things stand now, IOC is projected by 2010 and FOC by 2012.

IAF, on its part, has ordered only 20 LCAs so far, despite pressure from the defence R&D establishment, unsure as it is of the delivery date and whether the LCA will be a top-notch fighter once it is ready. Incidentally, IAF and Navy had earlier projected a requirement of as many as 220 LCAs.

The less said about the indigenous Kaveri engine, which was meant to power the LCA, the better. The repeated failures of Kaveri – its development cost has jumped to Rs 2,839 crore from the initial Rs 382 crore – has meant the first 40 LCAs will have the American GE-404 engines.

With no solution in sight, DRDO has invited proposals for foreign collaboration for the co-development of Kaveri now. Keeping all this in mind, the overall development cost of LCA will zoom well over Rs 12,000 crore before it becomes a reality.

 

Readers’ opinions (33)

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vivian fernandes (bombay)
12 Feb, 2008 09:21 AM
I have recently started working for the aviation industry and i have come to learn that although building a plane sounds easy there are so many parts that have to fit together that it is a mind boggling process.. However like many of the readers have mentioned,it should not take us 24 years to make a plane fly .. I do agree that the indian scientists are underpaid and i think it is high time we start bringing in private contractors like most of the western countries do.. so i think the only solution to this problem is to bring in people who know what they are doing and not leave projects in the hands of un educated,3rd rate politicians who might as well sold the parts for the plane on the black market to line their pockets..

Kotresh Tambrallimath (Bangalore)
12 Feb, 2008 09:00 AM
Indian Scientist salary is 5 to 10 times less than normal software Engineer salary. Because of this transition rates are high, so project is getting delay. Regarding cost of project, all are talking about 5000 cr. but how many billions of dollars US has invested to come to this position ??? Developing our own technology and building LCA is far far far better than Buying Black box(F16). I am very much thankful to all our scientists who are working in ADA and DRDO for there effort and dedication.

Krishna (Pennsylvania, PA)
12 Feb, 2008 08:31 AM
Well…I have worked on the LCA’s cockpit software programs in the early 90s. I know very well that we tried imitating F16’s fly by wire technology. We even followed USA DoD standard for software documentation. But I don’t understand why there is so much delay in taking off. I think we could not even copy something properly.

Prasad (Atlanta, USA)
12 Feb, 2008 08:24 AM
Even if we consider 12K Crore to develop an aircaraft from scratch (and belive, me there are many more things to an aircraft apart from the engine), I think it is not a bad price. Considering India has 12 lakh crores in its coffers as foreigh exchange and its income has multiplied manifold in past few years, 12 K crores for this project is not at all astronomical. We have to be cognizent of the fact that the project was executed by a government agency in complete isolation until recently without any private participation. India has learned a good lesson from it and is now encouraging privte participation in these kind of projects. I think we need to look at it much more positively. Every project is a learning curve and we have learned our share from this one too. I find such reports a bit too harsh towards all the good work which has gone into it. As a responsible mouthpiece of Indian media your esteemed publication should refrain from publishing such articles, which show our research establishments in bad light.

Rishi (Bangalore)
12 Feb, 2008 08:21 AM
Its time for the government to come out of the politics and took hard decision and recruiting from top premier colleges by offering them competetive pay.India have enough talent to build anything the only thing is that there should be strong will power behind it.

Drdo

Panel wants overhaul in DRDO’s set-up

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Panel wants overhaul in DRDO’s set-up

Rajat Pandit, TNN Mar 19, 2007, 12.13am IST

NEW DELHI: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken yet another hit.

After being slammed for huge time and cost overruns in virtually all its projects, a parliamentary committee has now called for DRDO’s drastic overhaul if it’s to supply cutting-edge weapon systems to the armed forces in time.

 

And the “fundamental changes” must start at the very top. In its latest report tabled in Parliament on Friday, apart from recording Defence Research and Development Organisation’s “disappointing performance”, the Standing Committee on defence expressed its “displeasure”at the scientific advisor (SA) to the defence minister wearing so many hats.

In addition to being the SA, he is also director-general of DRDO, secretary (R&D) and director-general of Aeronautical Development Agency.

This must change, as also DRDO’s penchant for taking too many things on its plate. Venturing as it does even into making juices, mosquito repellents, titanium dental implants and the like, the committee said DRDO must concentrate only on “fundamental and crucial” defence research.

Urging the government to encourage the private sector to come into defence R&D and production in a major way, the committee said DRDO must be made more accountable and open to independent auditing.

A comprehensive national policy should also be formulated to recruit and retain “talented and experienced”scientists in Defence Research and Development Organisation, which has a shortage of around 1,400 scientists, as also promote its closer cooperation with IITs and universities.

Calls for a revamp of Defence Research and Development Organisation, of course, are not new. This newspaper, in several reports, has highlighted that it continues to flounder in developing desperately-needed military capabilities for the country.

Whether it’s the much-touted Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), sanctioned in 1983 but still at least four-five years away from becoming fully-operational, or the bulky Arjun main-battle tank, which the Army is being forced to swallow, the story has remained grim.

With the mind-boggling delays, the costs of most of Defence Research and Development Organisation projects have simply zoomed up. Take the LCA programme. Its initial projected cost was Rs 560 crore.

But now, it stands at Rs 5,490 crore, with another Rs 2,893 crore for its Kaveri engine. By the time the LCA becomes operational, if it does, over Rs 10,000 crore would have been sunk into it.

So, it’s no wonder that India has become the largest importer of military hardware and software in the developing world, notching up arms deals worth $11 billion in just 2004 and 2005.

It will spend another $30 billion over the next five years in armament imports. In view of all this, the parliamentary report expressed the “urgent need” for “a thorough review” of the functioning and organisational set-up of Defence Research and Development Organisation, which has 50 establishments and over 33,000 personnel under its umbrella.

Expressing dismay that DRDO had managed to achieve only 30% indigenisation target as against the 70% target set for the 10th Plan (2002-2007), the panel said the organisation has not been able to achieve its mission of self-reliance in defence production even 48 years after it was established.

Readers’ opinions (3)

asamanja ghose (paris)
19 Mar, 2007 02:16 PM
Dear Editor, Once again, the Parliamentary Committee should have gone much farther in its recommendations. We must institute a thorough judicial inquiry (independent of any and all administrative and political influence) as to why the LCA project and all other important Defence Projects have not yet been completed to date and resulted in such delays and heavy cost over-runs, while forcing the country to spend its meagre Foreign Exchange reserves to import military hardware. For instance, we are being forced to buy 126 Fighter Aircraft. If the LCA had been on time, this would not have been necessary, would it? In my opinion, military hardware-exporting countries and our corrupt politicians, corrupt political parties, and certainly some corrupt scientists in the DRDO are responsible for this state of affairs. They take bribes to design ways and means to delay our projects so as to continue exporting their outdated and “junk” products to India. How is it that no IT raids have ever been carried out on any of the above-mentioned categories of people, but only minor officials have been targeted, just for the form. Why have not the account books of the congress party not been seized and audited thoroughly after allegations that “thales”, the french manufacturer 0f the six diesel-electric submarines from whom india has ordered these, has paid sonia khan (sorry gandhi) a “bakshsish”‘ of 400 crores after the signing of this agreement. it is obvious that rajiv khan (sorry gandhi) did not have as big a stomach to digest the 64 crores that he had taken for the bofors deal and that he did share it with the congress party. Of course, the biggest “boffun” that the Bofors deal exposed was no one to do any thing with the congress, but the self-styled raja v.p. singh, who shouted himself hoarse before being elected prime minister saying that he will unveil the names of all the culprits of this international scandal, but once elected just forgot about it did nothing of the sort. Others like vajpaye and advani did not do much better. are we, as a nation, so cowardly that we are afraid of owning up to and take responsibility for our faults? if we aspire to be a superpower, should we behave like a bunch of sheep or tigers? Should we not start preparing for the day when we will have to tell the USA to get the hell out of the Indian Ocean, as that is our territory, and that they have nothing to do with that any more? Think over all this, dear reader. if these concepts seem too advanced for you, do contact me, i will explain. rest assured, it will be India that will the usa a bloody nose and make them eschew their haughtiness and misplaced sense of superiority. just ask yourself, what is that impostor, cheat and a plain highway robber be without his Indian software developers? What would the USA be without us Indians today? A. GHOSE

viswanath c (mumbai)
19 Mar, 2007 10:08 AM
Many organisations like DRDO are not at all performing well. The entire hierarchy needs to be revamped so that persons who can show results only can remain and exist there. In many cases, such Institutions does not allow youngsters to come forward and in desperation they leve the country. No need to make any hue and cry about depletion or loss of intellectual and technical personnel, let us do some homework to correct ourself!

balasubba raman guruswamy (bangalore)
19 Mar, 2007 08:18 AM
Internal nepotism is the bane of DRDO Labs. The best of brains are demotivated lot. It would be interesting if the ‘heads of the Labs’ are thoroughly investigated on the impact of their personal lives on the working of DRDO, over last 10 to 15 years.

Drdo

DRDO turns to NRIs to reverse brain drain

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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.

Drdo

‘DRDO must avoid delays in defence projects’

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TNN Apr 12, 2008, 03.09am IST

NEW DELHI: Indicating that the Defence Research and Development Organization was in for a major revamp, defence minister A K Antony on Friday said cost and time overruns would no longer do in crucial defence projects.

“We are in the process of introducing several innovations to streamline and make more effective the entire defence product development and procurement process,” said Antony, while addressing the 32nd DRDO conference here.

“On the anvil are amendments to our procurement procedures, developing a healthy interface with the public and private industry through offsets and bringing about organizational improvements in DRDO,” he added.

This assumes significance in the backdrop of the recent report by the P Rama Rao committee, which has called for a drastic overhaul of DRDO to ensure it can supply cutting-edge weapon systems to armed forces without the prevailing huge time and cost overruns, as reported by TOI earlier.

Drdo

DRDO gets vote of confidence to meet defence needs

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TNN Jun 4, 2008, 02.05am IST

NEW DELHI: In view of some Western countries unwilling to part with strategic defence technologies, the government on Tuesday said it would further strengthen the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for providing strategic defence with suitable delivery systems.

Amid concerns expressed by members of a Parliamentary consultative committee on defence on project delays and poor quality of some products developed by DRDO, defence minister A K Antony told MPs that the research organisation has put India in an elite club with the development of interceptor ballistic missile system.