Sunday, November 16, 2008
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
The last post 'indian aeronautics ............' was a write up which I did in July 2008 and sent to a few friends of mine who I thought would share my views. I thought it best that I post it in my blog for reading by interested. Since that write up, I came accross a couple of reports that appeared in the Times of India, Bangalore edition on the subject. The first report talked of an observation by the Comprtoller and Auditor-General of India (CAG) on the activities of the National Aerospace Laboratories, with particular reference to the SARAS (civil transport aircraft) and the second one was an interview given by the Director of the Laboratory to a Reporter of the same newspaper in response to the CAG observation. I had since then gone through the CAG report on their web site which tlked about several other activities of the Aerospace Laboratory also which essentially idicates that all is not well with the reputed research laboratory. CAG report is expected to be authentic since their evaluation is from a financial angle about which one cannot argue. I however noticed that my views are not too far away from the findings of CAG. I thought I should share this with my readers and hence this brief blog.
Indian aeronautical research – is it still at X roads
I can only write about the Indian aeronautical scene with particular reference to the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), with which my association spans about three decades. In the five decades of its existence, NAL has seen through seven Directors. In these last fifty years, the institution had only one best Director, Dr. S.R. Valluri. His association of two decades with the institution has really changed the face of Indian aeronautics with quite a few policy decisions at national level taking shape during his tenure. He was the voice of aeronautics, commanded highest respect and influence at both national and international level. It is not my intention to belittle the other Directors of the Institution and neither to highlight one, though it is a fact. In actual fact my current writing is the result of stray thoughts that keep swaying in my mind about whether the institution is going through appropriate direction and policy or whether an alternative thinking may put NAL in a much higher pedestal than it is today. With this end in view, I ventured into reading through the annual reports of the NAL on its website. Also thought what would be the sense of direction if Dr. Valluri is to be in the saddle. If a dispassionate vie3w is to be taken, NAL’s capabilities at present are almost the same as it was a couple of decades ago except for a very few spin-off advancements in research such as in control laws, enhanced/advanced product developments in FRP technology. These spin-off research benefits are as a result of the Light Combat Aircraft development programme of the country.
A beautiful bride all decked up but no where to go was what Dr. Dhawan said; a jewel in the crown was what Dr. Mashelkar said about NAL. A beautiful bride at that time - may be, no where to go – may be but appropriate now perhaps is ‘could not go anywhere! A jewel in the crown – may be due to capital intensive nature of the projects taken up. However the moot point is which one is fake – the jewel or the crown or both?
Reading through the Director’s Report of the annual reports of NAL, though makes an interesting reading, seem to indicate that the laboratory’s capabilities largely support the civilian aircraft development – SARAS. Is this, if it is a fact, good for a premier aeronautical research institution. Has this action of channelising all activities towards only SARAS resulted in inaction of research in aeronautics per se? Has NAL compromised research in the name of SARAS.
SARAS is perhaps an ambitious programme taken up by the Laboratory when it first took the drafting table. To the extent that it is to be viewed in the context of showcasing to the country that the country is capable of developing civilian aircraft on its own, thereby developing the indigenous technology in aircraft design and fabrication, excepting dependence on importing engines, is a commendable exercise. However NAL obviously does not have aircraft design staff which has resulted in contracting retired HAL staff. In essence it would appear that NAL has the capabilities to develop technologies but no capability in actual design of aircraft as NAL has scientists but not design engineers. Good that NAL did so with a 12-14 seater executive aircraft programme and imported engines for the same. Was this successful? It is perhaps yes and no. To the extent that it took to the skies and applauded indicated that the answer in affirmative. It is no because it is not pursued (due to either snags or falling short of design expectations) or no takes or no industry coming forward to buy the technology or perhaps even HAL was not prepared to manufacture or absence of domestic market for such an aircraft or a host of other things not coming to light.
HANSA, another all composite trainer aircraft – a two seater, was demonstrated earlier, a precursor to SARAS and a smaller number of this aircraft too were supplied to flying clubs. It is however noted that HANSA has been taken to Australia for trials and possible collaboration with interested parties there probably in an effort to prove that it is a good aircraft for use by the Flying Clubs. The strategy is not well explained. The roll of Taneja Aviation Limited in the development, financing, marketing is not clearly evident. What efforts have been made to transfer technology to TAL is also missing.
It is heartening to read that NAL proposed 50-50 tie-up with Mahindra Plexion Technologies for development of 4-5 seater general aviation aircraft. What is the scope? Would it be a limited to financial participation or the entrepreneur will be taking over technology for subsequent production, marketing and distribution?
NAL has also taken up a 50-70 seat aircraft development only goes to show that they can put this kite too into the skies. If this also goes the way of the 12-14 seat aircraft, would the institution be embarking on a much larger aircraft and eventually end up designing, developing and flying world’s largest passenger aircraft! Or if it is successful, who will productionise the aircraft, who would market it and what are the projected requirements for such an aircraft?
The right course of action should have been to persuade HAL to take up the manufacture of 12-14 seat aircraft as originally conceived removing the snags in design specifications as that PSU has a fulfledged design bureau and a separate unit which was manufacturing civilian aircraft under licence.
The dependence of NAL for its Civil Aviation Unit on retired staff from HAL and NAL on contract and channelising all activities of NAL towards one product compromising research does not seem to be ideal or the need of the hour or it is in consonance with the priorities for which NAL was conceived and established.
It is good to see from the annual reports that the institution has grown over the years showcasing to the country its capabilities to live up to its expectations to serve the aeronautical industry and support the Indian space research programme, be it in wind tunnel testing of scaled models or HAL/NAL/ISRO/DRDO, acoustic test facilities for spacecraft, composite structural component manufacture for TEJAS, control laws for LCA, test facilities for rolling element bearings, development of sunshield mirrors for sensors, high speed combustor test facility for ISRO/DRDO, tropical weather monitoring and monsoon prediction, wind energy programme, fatigue test facilities, and failure analysis investigations facilities and so on.
Getting back to the capabilities or developments that have taken place in NAL during the last decade or two or for that matter even ever since its inception, the institution should certainly be viewed as a supporting role player whether it is for aircraft industry or spacecraft requirements. It is a good exercise that NAL has taken up development of both HANSA and SARAS. This itself should show that it is capable of providing adequate support facilities, technology expertise to the industry. If this argument is acceptable, it is time that NAL should abandon the current aircraft programmes and get back to research mode for development of advanced technologies for future generation civilian 9r military aircraft and more strongly in the space vehicle reentry technology to help ISRO. Establishment of hypersonic test facilities could also be an addition. Materials research too seem to have taken a beating and not mujch activity seems to be taking place for development of newer materials. Certain activities related to monsoon modeling/prediction and wind energy development need not really form part of NAL activities.
The above are my personal views and should not necessarily be looked upon as a criticism of NAL's efforts.
I can only write about the Indian aeronautical scene with particular reference to the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), with which my association spans about three decades. In the five decades of its existence, NAL has seen through seven Directors. In these last fifty years, the institution had only one best Director, Dr. S.R. Valluri. His association of two decades with the institution has really changed the face of Indian aeronautics with quite a few policy decisions at national level taking shape during his tenure. He was the voice of aeronautics, commanded highest respect and influence at both national and international level. It is not my intention to belittle the other Directors of the Institution and neither to highlight one, though it is a fact. In actual fact my current writing is the result of stray thoughts that keep swaying in my mind about whether the institution is going through appropriate direction and policy or whether an alternative thinking may put NAL in a much higher pedestal than it is today. With this end in view, I ventured into reading through the annual reports of the NAL on its website. Also thought what would be the sense of direction if Dr. Valluri is to be in the saddle. If a dispassionate vie3w is to be taken, NAL’s capabilities at present are almost the same as it was a couple of decades ago except for a very few spin-off advancements in research such as in control laws, enhanced/advanced product developments in FRP technology. These spin-off research benefits are as a result of the Light Combat Aircraft development programme of the country.
A beautiful bride all decked up but no where to go was what Dr. Dhawan said; a jewel in the crown was what Dr. Mashelkar said about NAL. A beautiful bride at that time - may be, no where to go – may be but appropriate now perhaps is ‘could not go anywhere! A jewel in the crown – may be due to capital intensive nature of the projects taken up. However the moot point is which one is fake – the jewel or the crown or both?
Reading through the Director’s Report of the annual reports of NAL, though makes an interesting reading, seem to indicate that the laboratory’s capabilities largely support the civilian aircraft development – SARAS. Is this, if it is a fact, good for a premier aeronautical research institution. Has this action of channelising all activities towards only SARAS resulted in inaction of research in aeronautics per se? Has NAL compromised research in the name of SARAS.
SARAS is perhaps an ambitious programme taken up by the Laboratory when it first took the drafting table. To the extent that it is to be viewed in the context of showcasing to the country that the country is capable of developing civilian aircraft on its own, thereby developing the indigenous technology in aircraft design and fabrication, excepting dependence on importing engines, is a commendable exercise. However NAL obviously does not have aircraft design staff which has resulted in contracting retired HAL staff. In essence it would appear that NAL has the capabilities to develop technologies but no capability in actual design of aircraft as NAL has scientists but not design engineers. Good that NAL did so with a 12-14 seater executive aircraft programme and imported engines for the same. Was this successful? It is perhaps yes and no. To the extent that it took to the skies and applauded indicated that the answer in affirmative. It is no because it is not pursued (due to either snags or falling short of design expectations) or no takes or no industry coming forward to buy the technology or perhaps even HAL was not prepared to manufacture or absence of domestic market for such an aircraft or a host of other things not coming to light.
HANSA, another all composite trainer aircraft – a two seater, was demonstrated earlier, a precursor to SARAS and a smaller number of this aircraft too were supplied to flying clubs. It is however noted that HANSA has been taken to Australia for trials and possible collaboration with interested parties there probably in an effort to prove that it is a good aircraft for use by the Flying Clubs. The strategy is not well explained. The roll of Taneja Aviation Limited in the development, financing, marketing is not clearly evident. What efforts have been made to transfer technology to TAL is also missing.
It is heartening to read that NAL proposed 50-50 tie-up with Mahindra Plexion Technologies for development of 4-5 seater general aviation aircraft. What is the scope? Would it be a limited to financial participation or the entrepreneur will be taking over technology for subsequent production, marketing and distribution?
NAL has also taken up a 50-70 seat aircraft development only goes to show that they can put this kite too into the skies. If this also goes the way of the 12-14 seat aircraft, would the institution be embarking on a much larger aircraft and eventually end up designing, developing and flying world’s largest passenger aircraft! Or if it is successful, who will productionise the aircraft, who would market it and what are the projected requirements for such an aircraft?
The right course of action should have been to persuade HAL to take up the manufacture of 12-14 seat aircraft as originally conceived removing the snags in design specifications as that PSU has a fulfledged design bureau and a separate unit which was manufacturing civilian aircraft under licence.
The dependence of NAL for its Civil Aviation Unit on retired staff from HAL and NAL on contract and channelising all activities of NAL towards one product compromising research does not seem to be ideal or the need of the hour or it is in consonance with the priorities for which NAL was conceived and established.
It is good to see from the annual reports that the institution has grown over the years showcasing to the country its capabilities to live up to its expectations to serve the aeronautical industry and support the Indian space research programme, be it in wind tunnel testing of scaled models or HAL/NAL/ISRO/DRDO, acoustic test facilities for spacecraft, composite structural component manufacture for TEJAS, control laws for LCA, test facilities for rolling element bearings, development of sunshield mirrors for sensors, high speed combustor test facility for ISRO/DRDO, tropical weather monitoring and monsoon prediction, wind energy programme, fatigue test facilities, and failure analysis investigations facilities and so on.
Getting back to the capabilities or developments that have taken place in NAL during the last decade or two or for that matter even ever since its inception, the institution should certainly be viewed as a supporting role player whether it is for aircraft industry or spacecraft requirements. It is a good exercise that NAL has taken up development of both HANSA and SARAS. This itself should show that it is capable of providing adequate support facilities, technology expertise to the industry. If this argument is acceptable, it is time that NAL should abandon the current aircraft programmes and get back to research mode for development of advanced technologies for future generation civilian 9r military aircraft and more strongly in the space vehicle reentry technology to help ISRO. Establishment of hypersonic test facilities could also be an addition. Materials research too seem to have taken a beating and not mujch activity seems to be taking place for development of newer materials. Certain activities related to monsoon modeling/prediction and wind energy development need not really form part of NAL activities.
The above are my personal views and should not necessarily be looked upon as a criticism of NAL's efforts.
Friday, November 7, 2008
scientific research
This is a continuation of my blog on knowledge economy. The University Grants Commission is trying to attract qualified people to teching profession by providing higher scales of pay. The Indian Institutes of Technology are trying to protect the faculty from 'reservation' issues. These are conscious decisions of the learned for proper growth of science and technology in the country. However, the political parties of the country, especially the present government and its comrades in the Parliament will derail such initiatives with an eye on the elections round the corner.
To talk of scientific research one has to ask several questions such as
(a) India boasts of having one of the largest contingent of qualified 'scientists' (I my talk about the qualified 'scientist' in my future postings). However, does it just remain a quantity or is there quality? Indian Space Research Programme may be an exception.
(b) There are a number of research institutions across the country either under the Defence Research & Development Organisation, or Council of Scientific and Industrial Research or the Department of Science and Technology. However, has there been an evaluation of inputs vs outputs whether it is with reference to financial inputs vs technological/scientific achievements? Or with reference to the number of patents filed vs patents utilised/sold? Or the products/processes developed by these institutions vs products/processes utilised by the user industries and what are the financial returns on such products/processes released?
(c) How much research activity is suffering due to bureaucratic hurdles and what steps if any have been taken to get over such hurdles?
(d)While so many research institutions are already existing why are newer institutions such as the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and other such centres are created and funded? Are these institutions created just to keep the retired scientists/technologists/heads of R&D institutions/Professors and others on a pedestal so that they would not talk against the government and its policies on scientific research? Some of the luminaries in these institutions are perhaps comparable to the best in the world in their own field of specialisation and can stand on their own without the crutches such as these newer institutions. In fact the funds that are going to these institutions could as well be directed to the Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning such as IITs/Indin Institute of Science etc. who may be starved of funds for research .
To continue
To talk of scientific research one has to ask several questions such as
(a) India boasts of having one of the largest contingent of qualified 'scientists' (I my talk about the qualified 'scientist' in my future postings). However, does it just remain a quantity or is there quality? Indian Space Research Programme may be an exception.
(b) There are a number of research institutions across the country either under the Defence Research & Development Organisation, or Council of Scientific and Industrial Research or the Department of Science and Technology. However, has there been an evaluation of inputs vs outputs whether it is with reference to financial inputs vs technological/scientific achievements? Or with reference to the number of patents filed vs patents utilised/sold? Or the products/processes developed by these institutions vs products/processes utilised by the user industries and what are the financial returns on such products/processes released?
(c) How much research activity is suffering due to bureaucratic hurdles and what steps if any have been taken to get over such hurdles?
(d)While so many research institutions are already existing why are newer institutions such as the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and other such centres are created and funded? Are these institutions created just to keep the retired scientists/technologists/heads of R&D institutions/Professors and others on a pedestal so that they would not talk against the government and its policies on scientific research? Some of the luminaries in these institutions are perhaps comparable to the best in the world in their own field of specialisation and can stand on their own without the crutches such as these newer institutions. In fact the funds that are going to these institutions could as well be directed to the Universities and Institutions of Higher Learning such as IITs/Indin Institute of Science etc. who may be starved of funds for research .
To continue
Thursday, October 23, 2008
vittalgabbita blogs
I thought I should inform my readers that I had earlier published a few blogs in 'gabbittat@blogspot.com
Knowledge Economy
It is heartening to note from a press report in Times of India, Bangalore a few weeks ago in regard to the steps being taken by the University Grants Commission to substantially enhance the salaries of the teachers. Better late than never. It is an effort in the right direction and I hope the powers that be would agree with such a decision and implement them without hesitation. After all, the power transferred by the teachers to its student body will be essentially empowering the same student body when they succeed in the Civil Service examinations and become bureaucrats and therefore they should not grudge if they get less paid initially. Teaching is a noble profession and encouraging the community of teachers would truly enrich the country. One should realise that it is the teaching faculty that has trained the young scientists of our country who have today excelled in their sphere of work through the Indian Space Programme. Perhaps lack of financial motivation may have hitherto resulted in migration of talent to other spheres of work as compared to teaching - brain drain within. This is one side of the coin.
Let us look at the other side of the coin. Here comes the politics. While there is another encouraging decision taken by the Standing Committee of the IITs Council (SCIC) that there should be no reservations in the recruitment of faculty to the IITs, the HRD Ministry of the Government of India has conveniently censored this decision from the minutes of the meeting. While we have intellectuals in our country who think that the country has to progress, the politicians think that they need the chairs very much for themselves and therefore play the vote bank politics of 'reservations'.
Let us look at the other side of the coin. Here comes the politics. While there is another encouraging decision taken by the Standing Committee of the IITs Council (SCIC) that there should be no reservations in the recruitment of faculty to the IITs, the HRD Ministry of the Government of India has conveniently censored this decision from the minutes of the meeting. While we have intellectuals in our country who think that the country has to progress, the politicians think that they need the chairs very much for themselves and therefore play the vote bank politics of 'reservations'.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Media
I thought I should continue my last post with the following.
It would be less than fair if I do not mention other impressive media exposes. I would like to mention in particular some of the cases that were dealt with by the media in bringing to book some criminals and more importantly bringing to light the wrong role played by some senior Supreme Court lawers. I would be failing if I do not congratulate the electronic media in such cases.
I however hold my views firmly the partisan attitude and high-handedness of some of the media players. Incidentally, one of the Channels recently mentioned that they had received an email indicating that Mr. Rahul Gandhi was in the hit-list. I hope I read right. I however fail to understand whether the TV Channel tried to trace the email as I do not believe that there will be any threat to Mr. Rahul Gandhi since he is not such a big politician. He is still very young and there is much for him to learn. Just because he is a General Secretary of the Congress Party would perhaps not merit such a strong threat. It would perhaps be best if the email could be traced.
It would be less than fair if I do not mention other impressive media exposes. I would like to mention in particular some of the cases that were dealt with by the media in bringing to book some criminals and more importantly bringing to light the wrong role played by some senior Supreme Court lawers. I would be failing if I do not congratulate the electronic media in such cases.
I however hold my views firmly the partisan attitude and high-handedness of some of the media players. Incidentally, one of the Channels recently mentioned that they had received an email indicating that Mr. Rahul Gandhi was in the hit-list. I hope I read right. I however fail to understand whether the TV Channel tried to trace the email as I do not believe that there will be any threat to Mr. Rahul Gandhi since he is not such a big politician. He is still very young and there is much for him to learn. Just because he is a General Secretary of the Congress Party would perhaps not merit such a strong threat. It would perhaps be best if the email could be traced.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Media
I wonder if Indian media, especially the electronic media, is behaving like they are beyond and above the law/intellectuals of the country. Are they performing the role of the watchdog and eyes and ears of the public? Aren't they as biased as any other wing of the government/political party?
To be fair to them, one should admit the commendable role played by some of the clan in bringing to light some facets of police/legal highhandedness and more importantly in times of war front reporting be it in Srinagar or Iraq.
On the contrary, is it also not true that some are over excited, for instance one gentleman was over excited at Congress Party leading in elections in 2004 and more recently one anchor asking for an 'yes' or 'no' answer from the invitees on the dias in a debate. Does he think that he is arguing or defending a case in a court of law? I am sure they follow some ethics and it is expected of them to live up to them. People do not seem to question their attitude. I can understand if the Politicians do not raise such questions as they know that it is the media that can either make or break a Political Party. But why public is keeping quite at such questions? Or are the anchors empowered to behave so?
To be fair to them, one should admit the commendable role played by some of the clan in bringing to light some facets of police/legal highhandedness and more importantly in times of war front reporting be it in Srinagar or Iraq.
On the contrary, is it also not true that some are over excited, for instance one gentleman was over excited at Congress Party leading in elections in 2004 and more recently one anchor asking for an 'yes' or 'no' answer from the invitees on the dias in a debate. Does he think that he is arguing or defending a case in a court of law? I am sure they follow some ethics and it is expected of them to live up to them. People do not seem to question their attitude. I can understand if the Politicians do not raise such questions as they know that it is the media that can either make or break a Political Party. But why public is keeping quite at such questions? Or are the anchors empowered to behave so?
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