24 Nov : The anti-Gravity suit developed by the DRDO has proved useful during the recent Red Flag air exercises in the United States, the Vice Chief of Army Staff said here today. Delivering the inaugural address to the conference of Life Sciences Cluster laboratories on “In Service of the Soldiers: Life Sciences Perspective” here today, Lt. General ML Naidu said the Sukhoi SU-30 MKI pilots have found the anti-gravity suits as the best amongst use by any of the modern air forces.
He said the DRDO’s research in high-altitude adaptability has brought down injuries due to extremely cold conditions in Siachen by more than a quarter. The life of a soldier is dependent on the DRDO “from womb to tomb”, he remarked candidly, elaborating that the Life Sciences Laboratories are integral to a soldier’s life right from his or her induction into the force to rehabilitation after leaving the service. In Chandigarh Military Hospital the DRDO has been helping the paraplegic patients lead a normal life, he added.
Prof Deepak Pental, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi delivered the keynote address on “Biotechnology in the service of mankind.” Dr W. Selvamuthy, Chief Controller, Life Sciences, spoke on how the DRDO’s life sciences laboratories have brought spin-offs for the industry and benefitted the common man in the country.
The three-day conference is part of the events organized by the DRDO to mark its Golden Jubilee. The historical conference brings together Scientists, Technocrats, Industrial partners and service personnel to create an ideal platform to know the activities carried out by the DRDO’s Life Science Laboratories working in a spectra of disciplines that includes life saving and strategic support systems, protective equipments & clothing, physiological-psychological aspects, health and protection against biological & chemical warfare, Instant food requirements for high attitude battlefield operations.
Life Sciences Laboratories over the years have contributed immensely to the services and are considered the lifeline of Indian armed forces. These are also responsible not only for creation of human capital but are also responsible for catering to the requirements of forces operating in various environments that include airborne, underwater and also high-altitude conditions.
The state of the art technologies developed by DRDO Life Sciences Laboratories are expected to stimulate the industries to gear up for taking new challenges and provide products with global standards. The conference would give great impetus to scientists to get an insight of the actual expectations and value added products that contribute directly to the combat efficiency of the soldier.
An exhibition has been also arranged in which DRDO Laboratories and their industry partners will showcase an array of items developed for the Services. The Conference will conclude on Wednesday, November 26 with a valedictory address by the Ministry of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh.