“Our aim is not only to make in India but also to innovate and design in India,” said Mr. Amitabh Kant, Secretary, DIPP, addressing a session on ‘Empowering Through Design’ held at the ‘Make in India Week’ in Mumbai.
According to Government projections, 300 million movements from rural to urban areas are expected in the next three decades. “By 2015, 700 million Indians would be moving to the process of urbanization. The challenge is to control the process of urbanization in a sustainable manner. Compact cities, recycling of waste, connectivity, sanitation, safety – all depend on how we use design and innovation in technology to the best of our capabilities,” said Mr. Kant.
“India must be ready for smart and frugal innovation. We need to raise the bar in terms of patent registration which is now a mere 24%. All efforts to boost manufacturing in the country must have an inclusion of design. Design is critical in conceiving and manufacturing new products as well as improving the manufacturing process. With innovative and advanced design, India shall be the solutions provider to 6-7 billion people in the world,” he added.
Appreciating the ‘Make in India Week’ as the most important brand initiative by the Government to boost manufacturing and design, Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII, said: “Several European and Asian nations have understood the importance of design. They have adopted several programs of design support. And now it is quite evident that the Government of India has also taken a cue from these immensely successful initiatives and has integrated design in its mission objectives such as Make in India, Digital India and Smart Cities. The major and immediate testimony of this fact is the focus on design being given at the ongoing ‘Make in India Week’ and the Prime Minister inaugurating and visiting the ‘India Design Show’ put up by CII, NID and the India Design Council. It showcases how design can be used to increase competitiveness of sectors varying from traditional (like jute, bamboo, etc.) to contemporary manufacturing using renewable energy, etc., to products of the future, including concept cars.”
CII has strenuously and diligently worked to strengthen and support the economy and society by demonstrating and promoting the vital role of design in making businesses more competitive and public services more effective. The impact of CII’s work in design during the last one decade has been visible with the Government coming out with a National Design Policy and establishing the India Design Council with a large number of companies considering design as a key business strategy. The Government has also announced the establishment of four new NIDs and encouraged private design schools.
Dr. Pradyumna Vyas, Director, NID, said: “The Government’s support for design-led manufacturing will drive the success of the manufacturing industry and the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Government focus on Design will indeed lead to championing design as an integral element in the overall manufacturing value chain.”