Dr Avinash Chander, former Scientific Adviser to Raksha Mantri & ex-DRDO Chief has been bestowed the prestigious Aryabhata Award of the Astronautical Society of India. President Council Members and all members of IDST family extend felicitations to our former Patron

Sri AK Kapoor, Chairman, Delhi Branch met SA (Our Patron) to discuss, in general, regarding interaction between IDST and DRDO HQrs. The Patron suggested that IDST President makes a presentation about IDST activities in the Directors Conclave Meeting scheduled on 31st Jan 2011 in DRDO Bhavan.

Sri K Srinivasa, President, IDST called for a meeting in Delhi to finalize his presentation. The following members were present :

IDST presentation highlighted its objectives and its invaluable asset in terms of experienced and knowledgeable retired scientists and technologists from DRDO. Presentation also included IDST contributions in terms of projects undertaken, assistance in organizing training programs, seminars, courses etc.

There was very intensive interaction with the corporate members and wide range of suggestions and guidance emanated to enhance the performance of IDST. It was suggested that IDST should identify its own core areas to excel besides assisting DRDO laboratories. This meeting provided an excellent opportunity to IDST to directly interact with DRDO Corporate in presence of SA and CCR&Ds. It would be evident from the following brief regarding SAs guidelines and suggestions made by Corporate HQ that large number of IDST members can participate in such performance enhancement activities. We, at IDST, have to resolve to make tangible progress with the assistance of every one to the expectation of our parent organization.

DG R&D, our Patron, was happy with contributions of IDST and hoped that IDST should be looked upon as an extended arm of DRDO.

The Patron suggested that IDST should also address areas like :

• Quality Assurance (IDST should organize Quality Assurance groups at each centre); Provide targeted training programs for young scientists and, training in new areas for middle level scientists;
• Create think tank for system analysis, emerging war scenarios and threat perceptions;
• Plan projects to bring out Design Manuals and Quality Manuals for different subjects like Missile, UAV, Tanks ,Radars etc;
• Assess production worthiness of developed products ;
• IDST members may become adjunct faculty at DIAT, Pune;
• Consider running EMI/EMC facilities in various labs: Create a cell in Production Centres for industry interface.

He also suggested to create platforms for interaction with DRDO labs at Branch levels where quarterly meetings could be arranged by respective Branches with local Directors and whenever possible involving the concerned CC’s.

Other suggestions made at Directors Conclave included:

1. Issue rejoinders to articles questioning DRDO capabilities credibility besides publishing articles in scientific journals, newspapers, website etc.;
2. Organize National Seminars, Conferences in conjunction with DRDO;
3. Prepare Monograms, Organize popular lectures,
4. Assist DRDO to enhance its infrastructure;
5. Assist in Defence Technology Vision 2050,
6. Participate in TOT to industries (IDST scientists can be physically present at production agencies, if needed)
7. Provide details of Domain expertise to DIAT.