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In the post independence era, India was geared towards a program
of self-reliance and internalization of production. The 50 years of the Indian
Computing Industry, from 1956 to 2006, has seen a mixed bag of experience.
Before 1956, we had a few computer installations, mainly through second
generation products, primarily catering to data processing applications.
In the earlier periods, the industry witnessed the most
stringent measures from the government in regulating, manufacturing and
technology transfers. No significant R&D activities were supported by the
Government, though state run and private sector laboratories and defence
establishments with limited funds could deliver limited successes.
The mid-'60s and '70s were monopolized by few MNCs. The
industry witnessed restrictions through licenses, high import duties, software
export obligations, etc. Trade treaties between countries also influenced the
import of Hardware from Russia and the UK.
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| Hemant
Sonawala, chairman, Hinditron |
In the 1970s, efforts were made to encourage indigenous
manufacturing of hardware. But the result was a poor market with low supply and
highly priced products. In the late '70s, restrictive industrial policy curbed
access to technology, slowed market penetration and virtually eliminated
overseas competition.
In mid-1980's, India's development strategy was
characterized by import substitution policies aimed at nurturing the domestic
industry. With the Government's emphasis on self-reliance and internalization
of production, and due to the vision of some of the industry technocrats and
scientists, the role of the Indian IT manufacturer was conceived.
With these objectives, the Indian academia and entrepreneurs
started their evolution. Initially, restricted imports of current technology
products were permitted and minicomputers and some current state-of-the art
products were made available. Simultaneously, Indian entrepreneurs along with
education, scientific and engineering research entities, started working to
catch up and create a local industry, to be competitive and cost- effective
embracing wide range of applications.
Though there were constraints initially, the industry made
consistent efforts in the areas of R&D, design, development, manufacturing,
fabrication of products and solutions with co-operation among the players as
well as research institutions.
Today, the industry has succeeded to produce cost effective,
current technology products and put up state-of-the-art manufacturing
facilities, R&D to have globally competetive products. The industry has made
enviable strides to catch up with the latest hardware and solution technology.
| Today,
the IT industry is producing cost effective, current technology products,
and has put up state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities for products
which are globally competitive |
The IT industry's achievements during the last five decades
are:
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R&D
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Import substitution / indigenization
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Cost reduction
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Accreditation of international quality and procedural
standards
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Effective global player serving domestic and global markets
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Creating employment for a wide spectrum of
multi-disciplinary talents
The impact is overwhelming and in all segments of economy, the
industry has now become a globally compatible player with many, including global
players participating in this endeavor to continue to catch up with the current
and on-going changes in technology.
The industry continues to work toward its mission-"Together
we can and we will, make tools available to create better life through
technology". Page(s) 1
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