Are we ready yet!!

The results are already out... almost all global pundits have declared India and China as 21st century leaders. Especially India is being touted as the next big thing when it comes to global innovation or high technology jobs (with China taking lead in mass manufacturing). So that puts India as potential leader (even surpassing US) when it comes to Nanotechnology in 21st century.... after it is being touted as 21st century leader in hot technologies. So how true is this...

At top, I hear of right voices with our techie President Shri Abdul Kalam says "Our future lies in nanotechnology". He also talks about Prof C.N.R. Rao of JNSCR, Bangalore and the scientific advisor to the Prime Minister. C.N.R Rao is one of the foremost thought leaders on Nanotech in India. In his article, he talks about ground realities. Let's take a look at the money spent on Nanotech research around the world:-

• The United States spends about $1.5 billion on Nanotech. The US President’s 2007 Budget provides over $1.2 billion for the multi-agency National Nanotechnology Initiative.
• In Japan, where more than $2 billion is spent every year. T, while in China it stands at $120 million. Manpower is what matters, though. In India there are fewer than a hundred people involved in research.
• China, for instance, has several thousands involved.
  
• The only company I know of (& maybe similar other common folks) or am able to find with reasonable search on Google working on Nanotechnology in India is YashNanotech. Nanotechnology is not a hot, not even a known masters subject for most graduates in India.
  

The IT revolution which we are competing for leadership wasn't discovered yesterday. The US Military project evolved into century's biggest blockbuster technology. The US dominance will remain untill it is a technology innovator. As long as we don't find another internet for tomorrow or do enough to further knowledge on nascent technologies like Nanotechnology, tomorrow we'll still be a IT/BioTech/NanoTech/'X' Tech sweat shop and nothing else...