Former DRDO chief Sateesh Reddy urges youth to make India global innovation hub

TIRUPATI: G Sateesh Reddy, former Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), advisor to the Union Ministry of Defence, and also an advisor to the Andhra Pradesh govt for the Aerospace Defence Manufacturing Hub, urged the next generation to dream of making India the next innovation hub of the world.
Taking part in the "Sammelan-2025," the 16th annual day celebrations of the Tirupati-based Siddhartha Educational Academy on Thursday, Sateesh Reddy spoke at length about how India progressed over the years in terms of science and technology, education, and warfare systems.
The former DRDO chief recalled the challenges and struggles he faced during his childhood days in his native village Mahimuru in the Atmakur assembly constituency in Nellore district. He overcame these challenges with stubborn resilience to reach the position where he is today.
Sateesh Reddy urged the youngsters to take inspiration from the lives of great Indian visionaries like former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, to be unique, think big, and aim for higher targets in life.
Unlike in the past when India had only a few IITs, IISERs, and other premier educational institutions, in today’s India, almost every state has a premier educational institute par excellence. Today, the country has close to one lakh start-ups, thanks to the incubation centres at these premier institutions.
What is even more heartening to note is the fact that 90% of these start-ups were established by youngsters who want to compete at the international level," the former DRDO chief asserted.
TTD Trust Board member G Bhanuprakash Reddy took part as a special guest at the Sammelan-2025 event held on Thursday.