Nalco CMD Ansuman Das (extreme left), Union secretary of mines Anup K Pujari (middle) and Anil Kakodkar at the 16th National Technology Day event in Bhubaneswar on Monday. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, May 12: Nuclear scientist and member of the Atomic Research Commission Anil Kakodkar today said innovations were the key for development of the country.

“The country needs some crucial technology in the field of safe drinking water, agriculture related things, non-fossil electricity generation, metal extraction from earth and ICT empowered education,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion of the 16th National Technology Day, organised by the National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Kakodkar said: “If you are technologically stronger, you can move forward.”

Stating that the country should put emphasis on research-based technology, Kakodkar said the engineering colleges and the university should work in this regard. “Because of the huge demographic base, we have a huge potential to dominate the world. It is possible only if we have stronger technology. The base of scientists can be extended,” he said, adding that there was no reason why India cannot be compared to the United States.

The nuclear scientist said every student should have a choice of concurrent education and training in all learning domains, including opportunities to do so across institutions.

Union mines secretary Anup Kumar Pujari spoke about how innovation can make the life easier. Giving an example, Pujari narrated a story that a multi-storey building came up fitted with a modern lift. But the people started complaining that the lift was moving slowly. “Then the management fitted two mirrors inside it. Suddenly the things changed and there was no complaint as the people were busy seeing their images,” he said.

Nalco chairman-cum-managing director Ansuman Das said: “The company has adopted the best technology, so that it did not remain obsolete,” he said.

Earlier during the day, Pujari reviewed the progress of various big-ticket projects in the state. “Any ban on mining activities will adversely affect the country’s economy,” he said.