Innovation. It’s a simple enough word, and yet one that carries so much weight. It’s what human beings do when they want to get to ‘the next level’ as it were. It’s what drives many of us to succeed, or indeed make our lives better – sometimes courtesy another person’s ingenuity of course! So why am I going in this direction? Well, off late, I’ve been in a position to admire and indeed track the growing importance of our country when it comes to innovation. No, I don’t mean Indian engineers tucked away somewhere in the Bay Area in California. I’m talking about work that’s happening right here. In the automotive space, the relevance is obvious – as more and more automakers set up R&D hubs for their global operations right here in India. And it’s not just the likes of Mahindra, Bajaj, or Maruti-Suzuki. It also includes Hyundai, BMW, GM, and Daimler. And this is in areas that span chassis systems, software, connectivity, mechanical aggregates, and even design. What’s heartening is that, unlike in the past, the work that these engineers or designers are doing isn’t just for the domestic market – or even emerging markets alone. Most of the work that’s being carried out is, in fact, on global projects – cars or bikes we may never even get to see on Indian roads! The reason for the trust being put into our skilled workforce is not simply because it’s a cheap destination to set up such operations. It has, in fact, more to do with the quality of talent that India can boast of – a skillset that really stands up to the best in the world. So, as we recently went past another independence day, and smirked at the chaos around us in this vibrant and rich nation of ours, I take immense pride in knowing that our people are making a difference in the lives of others all across the globe. Sure, it sounds grander than it may really be. I mean how does a redesigned door hinge or a better speaker set-up in a car help save the world? Well, it doesn’t! And there are those who will argue that the work being done benefits the balance sheets of corporates headquartered far, far away. True, but there is now at least greater recognition of the Indian talent that helps work towards those profits. Now that’s something we didn’t see in the past, did we? And, as we look to the future of mobility itself, with all this talk of everything from electric to driverless cars – I do believe that the next big innovation will come from India. See, we are a very shrewd and intelligent people. Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for that. Nor do we realise the immense potential and value that our inherent ‘jugaad’ sensibility gives us. You see, the Tata Nano (for all the criticism that the poor car keeps getting) is actually quite a marvel – given that it achieved mostly everything expected from it, and yet it stayed on course when it came to the budgetary boundary it was set in. I don’t think a similar 4-door, 5-seater (sort of) would have been possible under $5,000 had it been developed in Europe or the US. Similarly, I believe that India has a great chance to achieve the next breakthrough in battery technology, and help the auto industry achieve the democratisation of what are – today – prohibitive, yet exciting, future mobility solutions. Yes, I do like to think that it’s our young engineers and designers who will throw up that one key solution that will make electric cars, or alternate fuels in general, easy to adopt and rollout. So, why do I have this belief? Luckily, my job allows me to interact with students and young professionals. And it’s their energy, their approach, and their ideas that give me this optimism. Also, lets not forget that our circumstances and environment, as well as our requirements, are different. Just like the Nano needed to be a certain kind of car for it to be suited for us, similarly there will be an unconventional way an Indian may approach a problem or project. It may not happen exactly as I hope, or even in the same arena I’m expecting. But, trust me – whether it’s a big bang announcement or a silent adoption of a new trend or technology – it will come, and it’ll be born right here. In our backyard.
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