Govt lacks ''brain power'' to understand importance of innovation: Sam Pitroda

Ahmedabad, October 18

Telecom inventor and entrepreneur Sam Pitroda said on Wednesday the central government did not understand how important innovation was for job creation, and urged the country to move away from discussing Ram temple and history.

Speaking at the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry on innovation, Pitroda said he was disappointed with the central government’s decision to dismantle the National Innovation Council — a body he once headed.

"Innovation is a platform. You need innovation in government, judiciary, education, healthcare and processes. But, when I see debates in India, it's always about Ram Temple or about history. Everyone talks about the past. We just love to latch on to the past. We just need to move on," Pitroda said. "National Innovation Council was a great step by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. But, this government closed it down.”

"Though I urged the government not to do so, it was eventually stopped. I was very disappointed, because we need innovation to create more jobs," said Pitroda.

Pitroda said the country would not succeed by merely holding rallies or blaming others, although he did not explicitly mention to whom he was referring. 

"Basic problem is that we are not inventing fast enough.

And, the government has no idea about it. They don't have the brain power to understand this situation. It's not about rallies or blaming others...It's an emergency and we need innovation more than we needed in the past," he said. PTI