Abstract:
In this era of 'innovate or perish' it is essential for all industries to be innovative not only in product
design but also in manufacturing technology to be competitive in quality and productivity as well. A
'Technological Free Ride' through adaptation of technology, re-engineering, and utilizing freely
available 'technology seeds' through 'Development Research' is a must for rapid industrialization
and jump to knowledge based era. This is the experience of many countries including USA, Japan,
Korea etc. It is clear that our priority should be 'Development Research' to exploit the 'massi ve
knowledge front' and millions of 'Technology seeds' awaiting to be converted to technology, and not
'basic' or "academic' research. Further, no invention or innovation can be converted to tangible
products unless a well developed design and manufacturing base is available. This is a must even at
early stages of industrialisation too where manufacture may be with imported technology. This is the
experience of many NISs too. Our industry lacks even basic facilities in many critical areas as well,
which must be corrected through proper incentives
