MNCs looking for computer coolies: Madhavan Nair

KOCHI:  While the British administration in India needed English-knowing clerks, multi-national companies now need ‘computer coolies,’ said Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) former chairman G Madhavan Nair. Delivering the inaugural address at the Swasraya Bharat-2011, a science expo organised by the Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) in Kochi on Thursday, he exhorted the students to think of a career in core engineering rather than a career in medical and IT fields.
He said that the younger generation should think of using science and technology to ensure food, water and energy security for the country in future. “It is painful to see that even talented students do not turn to the field of scientific research and development. We should keep in mind that what we are enjoying today is the result of tireless efforts of a group of scientists of yesteryear,” Madhavan Nair said.
He said India is on a par with any other country in space science. “We have made achievements with indigenous technology. We have to develop indigenous technologies for generating energy from non-conventional sources since a technology developed in a foreign country may not be suitable for India,” he said.
The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’s Southern India Regional Council Kochi branch chairman Sajeev Mathew, Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Deepak L Aswani and Ernakulam District Residents’ Associations Apex Council (EDRAAC) president Rangadasa Prabhu honoured Madhavan Nair by draping him with a ‘ponnada.’
Swasraya Bharat organising committee secretary T K Jose presided over the function. Naval Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) director Ananthanarayanan, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies Vice-Chancellor B Madhusoodana Kurup, Cochin University of Science and Technology registrar A Jayakumar, SSM president V P N Namboothiri, SSM secretary N G K Pillai and Swasraya Bharat exhibition committee chairman K K C Nair spoke on the occasion.