Think differently and challenge conventions, Scientific Advisor to Defence Minister tells students

Former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy inspires students to innovate, work hard, and become future leaders in science and technology.

Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister and former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), G. Satheesh Reddy, urged students to think differently, challenge conventions, and focus on the opportunities ahead on Thursday, March 13.

Addressing a crowd of schoolchildren after inaugurating Gora Techno Hub, established by the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada, Mr. Reddy gave them the example of Dr. Abdul Kalam, who came from a humble background and became the President of India. “You, too, can achieve greatness through hard work and determination,” he said.

Referring to National Science Day, observed on February 28 to mark Sir C.V. Raman’s discovery of the Raman effect in 1928, he pointed out that this year’s theme was ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for Viksit Bharat’ and underscored the importance of nurturing the next generation of leaders in science and technology.

“The goal is to ignite inspiration and spark curiosity in young minds. Our youth is undoubtedly our greatest strength, and with the right guidance, they have the potential to lead the world,” he said.

Mr. Reddy said India produces 14 lakh engineering graduates annually, with over 4.38 crore students enrolled in higher education institutions. He said India now ranks third globally in research publications and the number of PhDs awarded. “This reflects the country’s growing impact on global scientific progress,” he said.

He said innovation is thriving, and the startup culture in India is booming. From 450 startups in 2016, India now boasts 1.62 lakh registered startups, most of which are driven by the energy and creativity of young entrepreneurs.

He gave the example of Suhas Gopinath, the young founder, CEO and Chairman of Bengaluru-based Globals Inc, a multinational IT company. He became CEO at the age of 17, three years after founding the company and within five years, his company was listed among Fortune 500 companies. “His firm has become a leader in the cybersecurity sector, and his story has even been made into a film in Canada,” he informed.