Nehru and his Industrial Policy Resolution of 1956- a view from the pavement Prof. Prodyut Das 08/02/2025 Much of our problems in Atmanirbharata stems from not having developed an Indian Design Culture. The I956 was a severe set back to competitive free enterprise that is needed. Prior to Independence the entire Industrial production of India was by the Private sector. Despite the low demands of an impoverished economy these Industries were profitably managed and its products when not curtailed by a colonial policy of protection of imports, were appropriate to the market. The goods were competitive so the British often resorted to excise duties to protect their “home” product. When the Second World War broke out the Indian Industry without Governme...
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A critique of the HJT 36 present situation Prof. Prodyut Das This is based on a part of Indranil Roy/Jha’s presentation at https://www.youtube.com/live/1r-O7QGwScM?si=-xFPRUfwviitfMtn on “Appreciation of Indigenization” podcast I was listening to the pod cast. Indranil could have explained the spin in more detail. At the spin the aircraft is at very low airspeeds and ceases to fly (< 90kts) i.e. marginally below the stall and control effectiveness speeds; the aircraft begins to roll yaw and have a steep nose down all at the same time. It is a frightening situation and I have no wish to be in one. I think Indranil was not wholly right when he said recovery is by pushing the stick down. That works if you have unlimited height; The standard drill was to push the stick down...
Structured to Fail Indian weapons development Prof. Prodyut Das 29 January 2025 In the recent Conference at New Delhi had the Defence Secretary indicated that funds were not a problem but the ability to absorb the funds was. There was also a hint that in the future the Government (aka DRDO) should not engage in Platform development. Shorn of IAS-ese, the Secretary’s statements indicates that the Government has awoken to the reality that funds and precious time are wasted by inefficient processes. Given DRDO’s Laboratory origins, it has weak Industrial roots and its self- arranged misadventures into platform design needs regulation. One hopes that these badly needed measures are implemented. A list of “learning experiences” Why the measures are badly needed is indicated by the list of failed projects that disappointed in terms...
Save the IAF-Revive the Marut Prof. Prodyut Das 24/01/ 2025 There are now two distinct opinions about the Tejas programme. The first is that the Tejas is brilliant aeroplane “a pearl” one worthy famously quoted about two decades ago ( if nothing, shows how long we have waited for irresponsible promises to be fulfilled!) , whose success now the perfidious Americans are trying to sabotage by delaying the supplies of engine, The second view is that the Mk1is a bit of a joke and all subsequent proposals, Mk1A, Mk2 TEBDF etc are ...