The third edition of Ahmedabad Design Week was inaugurated by chief of Army Staff, Gen MM Naravane at Karnavati University on Saturday. Also present on the occasion were other dignitaries including ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar, scientist Shri Hari Babu Srivastava and Air Marshal Ravindra Kumar Dhir.
“Design and Innovation In Defence and Aerospace” is the theme for the showing this year. The three-day event will see a number of thought leaders, startups, investors and names from the defence design fraternity participate in planned workshops and shows at the various venues outlined.
The welcome address by varsity president Ritesh Hada briefed the guests on the university’s interdisciplinary courses. “As a design-centric learning institute, we have brought together the liberal arts with creative and emerging technologies. We want to live the dream of Make in India via the Design in India route. We must do away with western technology,” his speech observed.
Hailing from a defence background himself, ad film director and founder, Genesis Film Production, Prahlad Kakkar stressed on the importance of design in defence warfare. “Functionality and value addition come only when the design is easy to manoeuvre. We have miles to go in defence capabilities, not in terms of valour but in technology. We look forward to these three days bringing forth promising designs for our defence production,” in his words.
Special guest of honour, Air Marshal, Ravindra Kumar, who is also an advisor to the state in Defence and Aerospace Industries, elaborated that national security rests on economic might, diplomacy and military power. “All are linked and the common thread is Make In India,” he stated, hinting at a leading player’s foray plans into defence manufacturing in Gujarat. “This is where the scientists, DRDO and others have to work together,” the Marshal informed.
All dignitaries reiterated the need to change and innovate. Compact, stackable and portable designs seem to be the preferred mode of the show lined up. Environmental consciousness can no longer be disregarded. Designing a system that fits requirements is daunting. But these vital aspects cannot be overlooked. “We are looking for technology solutions in an electric future which believes in minimalism,” rounded off the General.
