India to have nano technology facilities

India is setting up 'critical facilities' to give an impetus to the development of nano technology, an area that New Delhi views as offering tremendous opportunities.

"We are establishing critical facilities required for development of nano technology in this country", distinguished scientist and chief controller, research and development, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Dr A Sivathanu Pillai, said here.

"There are many countries which are investing huge amounts for development of nano technology. We are also investing. In India, DRDO in particular, we have taken up nano technology development programme in a big way".

He said India is giving a new thrust to nano technology. "If you look at the future, all (technologies) are going towards nano technology.

There is no escape. Biotechnology, information technology and communication technology. All will converge into one single revolution. Bio-nano-info revolution which is going to swamp the world", Pillai said.

"So there is a big need for investment in this technology".

He said India has launched a smart materials programme and DRDO is also working with universities for "individual programmes" for development of nano technology.

Pillai also said that the trend of top, young science and engineering graduates joining only IT firms in the private sector for lucrative salaries is changing and that the DRDO is now able to attract good talent.

"Recently, the trend is changing. We are seeing many top rankers of universities, Indian Institute of Technologies and National Institute of Technologies all joining the DRDO. We recruit about 600-700 scientists every year. We see a lot of response from the young generation".

"But what we need is they (the government) should introduce more incentive sche-mes, so that we can be on par with MNCs. The government is considerate and I think something may come", he said.

Discussions have taken place at government level on how to retain the best talent within the government. "No concrete idea has emerged", he said.