Seizing their chance
India has the world’s third largest startup ecosystem, but arguably the world’s largest defence startup ecosystem. This amazing transformation happened in the last five to six years. In February 2018, the ministry of defence introduced a draft defence production policy with ambitious goals—triple defence industry turnover to 01.75 lakh crore and increase defence exports nearly 15-fold to 025,000 crore by 2025. It is in this policy that startups were envisioned to foster an innovation ecosystem.
Very few believed that startups could significantly impact defence needs. Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) was launched in April 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking a significant policy initiative. It established open startup challenges, later termed Defence India Startup Challenges (DISC), aligned with the requirements of the Indian armed forces. Startups were invited to offer solutions and the most promising ones received financial support of up to 01.5 crore, contingent on achieving milestones and matched or higher investment from the startups.
Around this time, an unexpected request arrived at the defence ministry from the US embassy— they sought collaboration with an Indian startup specialising in military swarms, a technology they found unique and compelling. This surprised the ministry, accustomed to being the seeker rather than the sought-after, especially with respect to the US. As secretary, defence production, I delved deeper into the matter, consulting with ministry officials and armed forces officers who were equally unaware of this startup and its groundbreaking innovations. My curiosity led me to the founder, who was a retired Indian Air Force officer. He revealed his futile attempts to engage with the ministry and the IAF. Meeting him was enlightening—it reinforced my belief in the potential of startups and their inventive teams to drive India's defence innovation ambitions forward.
Denne historien er fra August 18, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra August 18, 2024-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Wheelchairs and miracles
They are sending that Tharoor fellow for the phoren bijit. Surely you know as many big words as he does, no?” asked Misser Ji, my neighbour.
I find it difficult to revisit my work
Tucked away on a narrow lane behind Chennai’s upscale Greenways Road, the Madras Talkies office exudes the same aesthetic and visual artistry as Mani Ratnam’s films. Journalists, TV crews and assistant directors crowd the front office, eager to catch a glimpse of the director a day before the release of Thug Life. The office, flooded with natural light, feels as vibrant as his work. Young staff, fashionably dressed and reminiscent of his movie characters, discuss their mentor, “Mani Sir”.
Sindoor and India's new normal
Leading one of the seven outreach groups which travelled to 33 countries to communicate India's new normal on Pakistan-backed terrorism was an eye-opening experience. I have had the honour of leading many such delegations in the past, but this one stood out.
The eighth nerve
Nothing is coming,” Aaftab said in broken English, tapping on his ear and shaking his hand to denote his loss of hearing. Fluent only in Arabic, he had travelled from Oman because he had been told that his tumour was too big and in a precarious location, and that there was a significant risk to life.
SILENT KILLER
Seventy-two countries have banned asbestos, a known carcinogen. India is not one of them
We are not another Pakistan
INTERVIEW - MAHFUJ ALAM adviser to the ministry of information and broadcasting, Bangladesh
LESSONS FROM SINDOOR
While India's military actions on May 7 and 10 were successful, it is vital to assess strategic and tactical lessons and shortcomings
Banker’s gamble
Bangladesh’s political future will depend on how well Muhammad Yunus and the interim regime he heads brave the dissent at home and pressures from abroad
Cultural weave
Tibetan Muslims in Kashmir carved out a space for themselves by blending two rich cultures, all while dealing with statelessness and economic hardship
THE CRAFT OF CALM
Anavila Misra on her new collection, a launch into home textiles and why living in a bubble has many merits
