Pitroda seeks $500-mn fund to attract researchers

Global talent in Indian universities will act as catalysis for change, Sam Pitroda, advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on infrastructure, innovation and information, said on Wednesday.

Global talent in Indian universities will act as catalysis for change, Sam Pitroda, advisor to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on infrastructure, innovation and information, said on Wednesday.

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Pitroda has suggested that the government set up a $500- million dedicated fund to attract global academic and research pioneers.

“If we have five such pioneers in 100 universities, they will be the movers and shakers. They will act like change agents and bring in fresh ideas and perspective,” said Pitroda, during an interaction.

“I have thrown the idea at the government. Let there be discussion. If you want change and innovation you have to pay the price,” he said.

Pitroda said he was working on connecting 250,000 panchayats in India through broadband. India had entered the second phase of the telecom revolution, said Pitroda, who is hailed as the father of telecom revolution in India.

He said, “The first phase was to connect everyone through voice. Today we have 550 million phones and are adding 50 million phones every year. I see a day when nobody will charge you for a voice call.”