Mr. R. A. Mashelkar CSIR Interview

This video features an interview with Mr. R.A. Mashelkar, a chemical engineer and research scientist who previously served as the Director-General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) for 11 years. He is currently the Chairman of the National Innovation Foundation. The interview highlights the importance of intellectual property (IP) in creating wealth, citing examples of companies that have successfully leveraged IP. He explains that new ideas capable of commercial exploitation can be protected by law for 20 years through patents. He notes that India was not initially strong in intellectual property rights but has since made progress, stressing the need for India to create and protect new knowledge, not just within the country but globally. Mr. Mashelkar also points out that academic institutions in India do not frequently create spin-off companies or license their technology, unlike in other countries. He believes that India needs to foster an environment where academic research translates into commercial success. He envisions a "New India" that is not only self-reliant but also a global leader in intellectual property and innovation. He believes that by focusing on creating and protecting new knowledge, India can become a stronger nation.