States » SouthPosted at: Jun 13 2025 5:20PM


R&D key to rejuvenated, self-reliant India: Zen Technologies CMD Ashok Atluri

Hyderabad, June 13 (UNI) Ashok Atluri, Co-Chair of the FICCI National Defence & Homeland Security Committee and Chairman & Managing Director of Zen Technologies Limited, underscored the critical role of research and development (R&D) in building a rejuvenated and self-reliant India.

Delivering the keynote address at the MSME Xcelerate 2025 conference organised by FICCI in Begumpet on Friday, which focused on emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and smart financial strategies, Atluri highlighted the value of indigenous innovation in both the defence and commercial sectors. He shared that Zen Technologies has filed around 180 patents, with nearly 90 granted in India and abroad.

Citing Zen’s successful development of indigenous anti-drone systems used against Chinese drones, Atluri emphasised the transformative potential of R&D in strengthening national security and economic progress. He urged MSMEs to prioritise investment in R&D, cautioning that businesses ignoring innovation risk will become obsolete in a rapidly evolving market.
Atluri also called for reducing bureaucratic hurdles in accessing government R&D funds and encouraged MSMEs to explore venture capital and private equity with simplified processes. Referencing the Indian automotive industry, he noted how robust R&D in motorcycle manufacturing helped India withstand foreign competition, particularly from China.

“There is a ton of money and purpose in R&D—both for business success and for nation-building,” Atluri remarked, urging Indian enterprises to strive for global leadership in technology development.

In his special address, V Suresh Babu, Zonal Head (Hyderabad) and General Manager of NSIC, expressed his pleasure in participating in a Telangana session for the first time, following over two decades of service in Karnataka. He stressed the importance of holding such events early in the financial year to help MSMEs align with government schemes for better planning.

He outlined NSIC’s role as an ISO-certified entity under the Ministry of MSME, focused on service support rather than manufacturing. Key offerings include marketing assistance, support for tender participation, and enabling MSMEs to benefit from the Public Procurement Policy, which mandates 25 per cent procurement from MSMEs, including dedicated shares for SC/ST entrepreneurs.
Babu also discussed NSIC’s partnerships with public and private sector banks to facilitate credit and mentioned subsidies—up to 100 per cent—for participation in domestic and international trade fairs. NSIC’s digital platforms now enable MSMEs to access real-time tender data across departments through a unified portal, he added.

Encouraging MSMEs to make full use of NSIC’s schemes, he assured them of the organization’s continued support and urged entrepreneurs to approach NSIC for guidance and to scale their businesses.

P Radhakishore, Chairman of FICCI Telangana Defence & Aerospace Committee and Director, HC Robotics Private Limited, in his theme address, emphasised the importance of innovation, technology, and sustainability for MSME growth. While appreciating central government initiatives such as Lean, ZED, and ESG schemes, he noted the lack of proactive engagement from state governments.

He underlined that MSMEs are the backbone of the economy, fueling both employment and innovation, especially in defence and aerospace. Citing examples from his startup, he reiterated that many breakthrough technologies emerge from small enterprises and called for greater recognition and incentives for such innovations.

VV Rama Raju, Chairman, FICCI Telangana State Council and Founder & MD, Gaja Engineering, in his welcome address, highlighted the crucial role MSMEs play in the Indian economy, contributing over 30 per cent to the GDP and nearly half of the exports.

He acknowledged the challenges MSMEs face in staying competitive and sustainable in a rapidly changing global environment. The conference theme—Innovation, Technology, and Sustainability—is both timely and essential, he noted, urging collective efforts to equip MSMEs with tools, technologies, and financial access for future growth.

UNI VV BD
Tags: #R&D key to rejuvenated# self-reliant India: Zen Technologies CMD Ashok Atluri
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