Gupta-Klinsky India Institute (GKII) recently organised a first-panel event in Mumbai to discuss and explore opportunities to advance research and innovation and promote science for the societal good. The session, 'Tech for Good: India's Commitment to Research and Innovation,' included noted industry leaders from India’s science and technology sector.  

Keynote speakers included, Dr Saurabh Garg, CEO, UIDAI, and panellists including Suchitra Ella, Co-Founder & Joint MD, Bharat Biotech, Neera Nundy, Managing Partner & Founder, Dasra, Dr Subhasis Chaudhuri, Director, IIT Bombay, Shekar Sivasubramanian, CEO, Wadhwani AI, and Viresh Prashar, Founder & CEO, Fruitfal.

The speakers highlighted the role of the private sector in creating opportunities and lowering barriers to interdisciplinary knowledge sharing and shaping emerging technologies of the future. 

Dr Saurabh Garg, keynote speaker and CEO, UIDAI said, “The Indian government has always been keen on public-private partnerships in key sectors. We are ensuring that R&D becomes a critical part of both the start-up and the industrial policy. A key part of the government's role would be to build those pathways from the lab to research.” 

Dr Sunil Kumar, Provost, Johns Hopkins University said, "Moving the needle on private sector contribution to research will not only help India boost innovation, but it can also have an effect of making the Indian research ecosystem more attractive as a destination for research globally."