Few takers for PM’s ‘Make in India’ project

‘Make in India’ session drew little eyes on Tuesday which discussed challenges to make it a reality.

The most-talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s pet project ‘Make in India’, which was the underlining theme of the 102nd Indian Science Congress drew little eyes on Tuesday during a session specially arranged to discuss the challenges to make it a reality.

While Modi’s address to innovate and bring technology back in India on the science congress’ inaugural day was received with enormous applause, the session saw very little participation from people.

Addressing the major challenges on the project at the session, Pramod Choudhary, executive chairman of Praj Industries Limited, said, “While the central government is attempting to introduce industry-friendly policies, the states are not in sync with the Centre. There is a mismatch in both, state and Centre’s policies.”

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He added that between 1993 to 2003, India’s gross domestic product contribution globally just rose from 1.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent. “The challenges are many. We need to focus on infrastructure, ease to undertake business and taxation policy,” Choudhary said.

Another panelist, Ravi Pandit, chairman of KPIT Technologies, Pune, said, “Manufacturing industry will not solve the problem of unemployment”. We must look for alternative energy. Sun’s energy for one hour can be used to give power to the whole world for one year. If we find ways to store that energy, power issues will resolve.”

The session was chaired by scientist Vijay Bhatkar, who discussed the challenges India faced in creating manufacturing industry. “China is exploding with industries and markets. In India, the biggest challenge is how to feed its population.”

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