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Gandhian Engineering as explained by Dr. R. A. Mashelkar
Indian Innovation: From Gandhi to Gandhian Engineering
Innovation is all about doing things differently making a big difference, making impossible possible.
What did Gandhi do? He took on the might of the British Empire by mobilizing millions of people. Seemed impossible but he did it. The strategy fulfilled all the criteria if innovation. He did things differently, made a big difference and achieved what everyone considered was impossible. What were his weapons? Ahimsa and Swadeshi.
How traditional mindsets become big barriers for innovation.
“Too risky”.
“”Suppose if it fails.”
“Impossible. Never done before.”
“Let me play devil’s advocate.”
All of us are familiar with this line of thinking. While most of us fall victims to this kind of thinking, innovation leaders stand apart with their thinking and action.
Innovation leaders grow a small idea into a fantastic opportunity. They convert problems into opportunities. They have hindsight, foresight and insight.
They set quantum goals. They invest considerable mindshare in future growth and the next big change. They drive discontinuity and encourage risk. The find opportunities and others see nothing.
What is engineering challenge? It has always been about getting more from less. That is what Moore’s law is all about. More from less.
Technologies for the poor must be available, accessible, affordable and appropriate.
Here is how. An artificial foot in the US can cost anywhere between $12000 to $18000. Now I have 4 billion people with $2 a day. It will take them 15years to buy one artificial foot! I then talk about the difference between the American foot and the Indian foot.
There is a difference in performance expectations. An Indian foot cannot only be as good as an American foot. It has to be 10 times better in terms of performance. The simple reason is this. An Indian walks barefoot an American does not. An Indian stands in the paddy field the whole day the American does not. An Indian climbs a tree but does not climb down. Instead he jumps down, while the American climbs down. So, the stress that the Indian foot has to undergo is incredible. Now the challenge here is to make $12000 foot affordable at $30 and make it 10 times better in terms of performance.
This is Gandhian Engineering. Getting More from Less for More and More.
You can read complete article from CSI Communications Vol. No. 33, Issue No. 8, November 2009
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