face to face
materials science
etc. carry a strong
interdisciplinary
flavor. The innovations
or market-place needs
and challenges can
be better addressed
through such an
approach as it can
ensure more effective
outcomes. I also
believe that a liberal
arts approach to
education can go a
long way in enhancing
student interest and
can help them to be
more creative and
excel in their field of
choice.
What is propelling
the rise of medical
technology startups
in India? Is this
the beginning of a
huge indigenous
industry?
There is a clear
need for better and
affordable medical
solutions in the
country. Besides a
humongous social
need, there is a huge
14
BioVoiceNews | July 2017
business opportunity
which is too good to
be ignored. Hence, the
rise of healthcare start-
ups in India. Programs
like DBT’s SIB, Pfizer-
IIT Delhi Innovation,
BIRAC’s BIG etc.
are providing useful
supports. I would be
willing to consider
this as dawn of an
There is no
denying
the usefulness
of multi-
disciplinary
research
which
ought to be
encouraged.
Both the
academia
and publicly
funded
research
organizations
should take
the lead in this
direction
important indigenous
industry.
How can the
technology help
to transform
agriculture in
India? Do we have
enough startups in
that direction?
Given the importance
of agriculture in the
nation’s economy
anything that leverages
technology for a large
impact on the sector
is welcome. Be it
farming methods, seed
varieties, implements,
better yields, use
of drones, IT tools
or novel business
opportunities, start-
ups are required to
transform the sector.
This includes creating
entrepreneurial
opportunities for
the rural youth who
may not be finding
conventional farming
models profitable
enough. The number
of technology start-ups
working in this area