TALK ON ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT- INDIAN ARMY INITIATIVES TOWARDS SELF RELIANCE‘ AT NORTH EAST RESEARCH CONCLAVE.

In ongoing North East Research Conclave organised by IIT Guwahati a Talk on “Atmanirbhar Bharat – Indian Army Initiatives towards Self Reliance” was delivered by Lt Gen DS Rana AVSM, YSM, SM General Officer Commanding, Gajraj Corps on 21st  May 2022 at  Bhupen Hazarika Auditorium at Guwahati. The talk was aligned to the vision of apex leadership of Government of India and initiatives undertaken by Indian Armed Forces with a focus on integration of civil military establishment in field of self reliance.

During the course of the talk he explained the characteristics of future battles which would be waged based on emerging technologies and applications in multi domain environment encompassing Land, Air, Sea, Cyber, Information and Space. He stated that future battle space would be shaped by technological superiority which would drive the outcome. 

The need for Atmanirbharata in defence sector was further emphasised by the speaker in changing geo-political situation globally and dynamic security environment along Indian borders. He elucidated that self reliance is going to be important component of  crucial military capabilities. During the talk, he also highlighed steps undertaken in defence sector under Atamnirbhar initiative. He conveyed that there is a need to encourage Reaserch and Innovation in Academic Institutions with a focus on certain disruptive technologies like AI, Quantum Computing, Drones and many more. 

The Atmabirbhar initiatives undertaken by Armed Forces was also covered in detail during the lecture  leading to creation of Army Design Bureau, harnessing of startup culture and also encouragement of civil military collabration to foster Innovation and Technology development through iDeX innitiative. He also elucidated that institutions such as IIT Guwahati which has a total of 287 running research projects and elaborate student  exchange and joint collaboration setup with large number of Countries has a wherewithal to take-up defence related R&D and also facilitate delivery with Industry Partners.  He also invited IIT Guwahati to participate in EASTTECH Symposium planned at Kolkata in July 2022.

The speaker also motivated the volunteer students to join Indian Army, an organisation which presents multi faceted opportunities and challenges as a way of life not a profession.

Lt Gen DS Rana  conveyed that at local  level a coordination mechanism has been established between Eastern Command, Gajraj Corps and IIT Guwahati to work out solution to certain technological challenges peculiar to Eastern Theatre. Visit of Lt General RP Kalita, Army Commander, Eastern Command to IIT Guwahati has also enhanced the level of integrated approach towards R&D. In the end he  complimented Director IIT Guwahati and his entire team for successful condct of conclave.