Innovation and critical minerals to shape India’s future

Jharkhand’s 45% share of mineral wealth must be harnessed with innovation and national vision

AK Srivastava

Kartik Purnima is a sacred festival of Sanatan Dharma. Every person who believes in Indianness, nationalism, and the all-round development of India and some friends who wish to see India’s development and India stand among the leading developed countries of the world, were present at my residence today for a tea-time conversation. Some retired individuals also visit me in the morning to discuss various development topics. I am not only a subscriber but also a reader of all the newspapers published from Jamshedpur and those published from Ranchi and Kolkata. I have a tendency to seek updated information on these topics early in the morning. While we usually discuss development on small topics, today some businessmen, some entrepreneurs  and some others suddenly began discussing development in the national interest.

Before this, yesterday on 6th November, an important discussion was held in the auditorium of Auto Cluster located in Adityapur on the development of small, medium and ancillary units. The main objective of the discussion was how we can develop small and medium scale industries by using advanced technology in management system through innovation, through latest technology so that rural economy improves, production becomes profitable and in the world level competition, how we can move ahead in national competition by reducing our prices so that the problem of employment migration is solved and we can also move ahead in terms of exports, this is a very important topic, although sometimes we think that Adityapur is the largest industrial area in Jharkhand. Over 1,000 units are engaged in production here, but these are primarily dependent on the Tata Group and Tata Motors. Therefore, when production and sales of the Tata Group and Tata Motors increase, the faces of the unit owners light up. However, when production and demand decrease, their faces turn sad. Sadly, the units here are capable of producing goods for domestic and international consumption, increasing their profits by increasing demand abroad or in villages, and paying little attention to the overall development of the economy, especially for those living in the remote areas of the country. However, I personally believe that until we manufacture goods for every person’s needs, and deliver good quality goods at affordable prices to their homes, we will not develop. For how long will neither we nor they develop, nor will my state develop, nor will the nation develop. The men sitting next to them expressed disappointment because their industries depend on the Tata Group’s establishments or products.

It is known that 44 to 45% of India’s mineral resources are located in Jharkhand alone, but when we compare Jharkhand with other states, we consider ourselves very weak and helpless. History is witness that in the Hindi speaking areas of India, where there are more open avenues for the development of entrepreneurship and business, the British Empire implemented the practice of Permanent Settlement that is, giving a part of the village to some enlightened and powerful people and taking a fixed rent. In the first instance, the rent was paid on time, but in some places, due to non-payment of rent on time, the land ownership rights given to them were easily auctioned at cheap rates. This system hindered development but was in favour of the foreign rulers. This system suppressed the rights of the poor people. Before the War of 1857, in India, whether in British or Mughal territory, the people who showed the most courage were the tribals and natives living in the forest. Tribals could not develop, Therefore, by declaring the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Act in this region, the tribals and natives who had a feeling of attraction towards the foreign rulers, who could drive them out of the country, were put to small jobs. Under this system, they could not use the land properly or establish any new industry or business. However, in reality, the tribals and natives played the primary role in the fight against the British Empire, the fight for independence. The British Empire and their greedy followers took advantage of the exploitation of mines, minerals and natural resources. It’s fortunate that Tata Saheb, a successful businessman from a Parsi priestly family, inspired by the spirit of Swadeshi, developed the idea of establishing Asia’s first steel plant in Jharkhand to harness the mineral and forest resources available in the tribal region. He travelled abroad, imported knowledge, imported scientists, and invited the indigenous inhabitants and tribal communities, along with strong and dedicated workers from neighboring states, to build a steel plant. The Tata Steel plant is located in the heart of the city, making expansion difficult. Acquiring land under the CNT Act is also a difficult task. Therefore, the Tata Group is expanding its production capacity in the neighboring state of Odisha. However, in Jamshedpur, entrepreneurs who manufacture equipment worth crores of rupees, inspired by quality, are given priority as vendors, and officials here use the successful artisans to establish enterprises in the region for their own development. The morning’s discussion left me with a sense of disappointment: “Where will we go? This is a lack of thinking.” You can’t earn a good income by manufacturing steel vehicles, so it’s a matter of concern how we can develop and utilize the 45% mineral resources in this region through innovative experiments. As far as I know, the Tata Group has signed an agreement with MECON to improve mineral production and quality. Under the Atmanirbhar scheme, the Government of India has started a laboratory to improve coal productivity and the availability of various types of gases in production, and has employed individuals based on selected coal at Dhanbad. In view of all these circumstances, scientists from NML and other Indian institutions involved in this field have organized a special seminar on research in critical minerals today. 350 scientists from India and abroad are participating and providing updates. Today is the inaugural day, and all these experiments have begun today under the leadership of Dr. K. Anand Rao, Chairman cum Managing Director of Uranium Corporation of India Limited, Dr. Anand Rao, Mr. Sarma P. Pisupati of Penn State University, USA, along with many eminent scientists, industry experts, and CEOs of nine companies are present. In-depth discussions are underway on this issue. I believe that the meaningful decisions made at the end of this three-day seminar will be a long line in India’s development, a final destination. It is possible that by using them and using innovative methods, we can move forward significantly. The research and thinking being developed on the minerals and other materials available in the country, especially on critical minerals and earth metals, will give India a unique place in industrial production across the world. The Government of India will take some decisions on these fruitful discussion very actively and on a priority basis so that with the help of minerals, critical minerals, and earth metals, we can succeed in taking India to the highest position in development.

(Author is President, Jamshedpur Citizen Forum, Entrepreneur and Consultant. Views are personal)