Dt.

23-10-2012

Engineering : Its Paramount Relevance in Societal Development

by
V. K. Agarwal
Former Chairman Railway Board &
Ex-Officio Principal Secretary to Govt. of India.

1.0

Issues / Problems / Challenges

1.1

It is a good sign that the very great importance of the role of Engineering in
Development has been recognized through UNESCOs Report titled Engineering:
Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development (2010) which is the first
Report of its kind to be produced by any International Organisation. Director General
of UNESCO has observed that this Report will also help in changing the image of
Engineering which is often considered as the Unsung partner of Science.

1.2

The critical roles of Engineering in addressing the large-scale pressing challenges

facing our societies worldwide are widely recognized. Such large-scale challenges
include access to affordable health care; tackling the coupled issues of energy,
transportation and climate change; providing more equitable access to information for
our populations; clean drinking water; natural and man-made disaster mitigation,
environmental protection and natural resource management amongst numerous others.

1.3

Engineering is the interface between Science/Technology on the one hand and

Society/Nature on the other. It provides Products/Benefits to Society/Nature
keeping in view the Resources/Needs. As the Needs change/increase and
Resources become scarce, Science/Technology have to be suitably remoulded for
assisting Engineering in its endeavours.

Engineering is all pervasive and almost every area of human interest, activity and
endeavour has a branch of Engineering associated with it.
1.4

Issues of sustainable development, poverty reduction and climate change are

fundamentally Engineering issues. Engineers have to broaden their design brief
beyond the traditional objectives of schedule, cost and conventional scope. They also
1

need to include in their designs the broader societal necessities such as minimizing
water, energy and materials use, respect for human and cultural rights, and look out
for health and safety, not only within work but also in its impacts.
1.5

Engineering has always been multi-disciplinary in nature, combining physics,

chemistry and mathematics with creative design, invention and innovation; and its
scope is increasing. Engineers have to be increasingly aware of the social and
environmental impacts of technology, and have to work in complex teams, interacting
in conjunction with society.

1.6

Engineers have to tackle two issues of truly global proportions, viz., Climate Change
and Poverty Reduction. However, the growing population, reduced availability of
natural resources and environmental constraints call for new models of innovation
that focus on affordability and inclusive growth and lift people at the bottom of the
pyramid out of poverty and deprivation. This is a major challenge for
Engineering/Engineers.

1.7

Resolving these issues will require tremendous innovation and ingenuity by

Engineers, working alongside other technical and non-technical disciplines. It
requires Engineers ability to synthesize solutions and not simply their ability to
analyze problems. It needs the Engineers ability to take a Systems View at a range
of scales, from devices and products through to large scale delivery of infrastructure
services.

1.8

Society today is making ever-greater demands on Engineering, ranging from those

caused by exploding urbanization and by the endemic poverty of a quarter of worlds
population in the face of overall global affluence, to the mounting concerns about
availability of critical resources, the consequences of climate change and increasing
natural and man-made disasters. This confronts Engineering and Society not only
with unprecedented technical challenges, but also with a host of new ethical problems
that demand the development of Global Engineering Ethics. How far should
Engineering pursue the modifications of Nature? What are Engineerings roles and
responsibilities in Society? How should Engineering address problems of equity in
terms of the availability of resources and services of and between current and future
generations? Should concerns about global warming take precedence over the urgent
problem of poverty, or how can they be addressed together?

1.9

Sub-optimal performance on the part of Engineering/Engineers thus has a direct

adverse impact on Society/Nature. This puts a heavy responsibility on
Engineering/Engineers and they have to make all out efforts to ensure that their
performance not only improves but is par excellence. Further, in the complex societal
set up, growing complexities, globalization, technological evolution, problems of
climate change and poverty reduction, diminishing resources, etc., Engineering for
being Sustainable needs support from various Institutions, Governments, Business
Organisations, Society at large, Resources availability, etc. Engineers thus need high
level of ability to work alongside other technical and non-technical disciplines.

1.10

It is unfortunate that, under these circumstances of growing need for multi-talented

Engineers, the interest in Engineering among young people is waning in so many
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2.0

countries. Awareness of the importance and the changing nature of Engineering

needs to be raised in circles of Government as well as amongst the general public.
Some Suggestions for Engineers/Managers

2.1

Make things as simple as possible because complex solutions, even though apparently
impressive, are difficult to follow. It is not that the problems needing solution will be
simple as even an apparently small problem of removal of Jhuggis (Slums) along side
the railway tracks is complex and has several dimensions. Albert Einsteins dictum is
to Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.

2.2

For executing any job Technical Skills alone will not suffice. Necessary Human
Skills and Conceptual Skills are also essential. Further, higher managerial levels
need more of Conceptual Skills.

2.3

For performing actions/activities, on a sustainable basis, in the best possible manner,

Five Es (Efficiency, Effectiveness, Ethics, Environment & Evolution) could be listed.
These Five Es are equally relevant for better sustainable performance of Teams,
Systems and Organisations also. (See Box 1)
Box 1
Five Es of Sustainable Development
If one is asked to choose parameters which can help an individual to
perform all his actions/activities, on a sustainable basis, in the best possible
manner, the following Five Es could be listed :
i)

Efficiency

ii) Effectiveness
iii) Ethics : Essential for sustainable performance.
iv) Environment : Be in tune; Dont damage; Improve, if possible.
v) Evolution : Create positive impact on the value structure.
Efficiency covers all activities, which make actions efficient and will,
interalia, include efficient time management, good physical and mental health,
possession of adequate knowledge and skills, will to do the job, positive attitude,
doing things right the first time, low stress levels, etc.
Effectiveness will mean that the actions result in achieving useful goals
for which it will be essential to have necessary vision, broad idea of goals to be
achieved, systems to be followed to reach the goals, necessary co-ordination/cooperation with other individuals/organizations, conscious realization of ones
capacity/capability levels etc.
Ethics is essential for sustainable development and performance. It also
helps in arriving at solutions, which are more equitable (concern for Equity).
It reduces stress levels, as ethical paths can be very clearly charted as against the
paths which are followed for achieving the goals through unethical means.
Contd.

Environment has to be seen in a broader context and may include

physical environment, working environment, political environment, financial
environment and the like. Activities have to be performed keeping these in mind,
lest they trigger reactions which may be difficult to control. Further, actions
should not damage the Environment rather, improve it to the extent possible.
Actions must support the process of Evolution and Development in the
positive direction for all those connected with the activities. Decline in human
values can be detrimental to the society.
For better performance on a sustainable basis these parameters, i.e.,
the Five Es are equally relevant to a Group of Individuals (Teams),
Activities, Systems, Organizations and even the Nations. Efforts should be
directed to continuously improve upon them.

2.4

Ethics is essential for sustainability. The Ethics Check proposed by Norman Peale
could be used as a broad guide. (See Box 2)
Box 2
Ethics Check
Ethics is difficult to define and complicated definitions will not be of
much help to a manager. The three ethics check questions, suggested by Peale,
Norman Vincent (1988), are a good guide and one can use them to determine
whether the action is ethical or not. The three questions are (i) Is it legal, i.e.
whether one will be violating either a civil law or an organisational policy? (ii) Is
it balanced, i.e. whether it is fair to all concerned in the short term as well as in
the long term? and (iii) How will it make one feel about himself? Would one feel
good if the decision was published in a newspaper or his family knew about it? If
the answer to any of the three questions is in the negative then the concerned
action is not ethical.

2.5

As Ethics is essential for Sustainability, the Sustainability of Ethics becomes even

more important. Answer to this problem could be found in Ancient Indian Philosophy
where sustenance of Dharma (Moral Values/Ethical Values) is guided by a Higher
Principle, viz., Moksha.

2.6

In
this
intensively
competitive
world
human
capabilities
of
Obedience/Diligence/Intellect
play
a
much
smaller
role
vis--vis
Initiative/Creativity/Passion. Since the later group cannot be taught in class rooms,
every effort must be made to nurture and develop them using innovative methods.

2.7

Systems are very important in a complex interconnected environment and must be

followed with precision. Further, to take care of the fast changing environment, these
should be periodically reviewed and updated.

2.8

Systems Approach helps the managers handling a particular Sub-system not to remain
confined within their organisation charts and to see the System as a whole. The
Systems Approach recognises the Interconnectedness / Interrelationship /
Interdependence of several Sub-Systems of any given System.
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2.9

Efforts should be to develop and graduate from the level of Engineer to EngineerManager through work experience and/or training in Management Engineering. Our
Country badly needs Engineer-Managers to successfully oversee and execute
complex projects/enterprises from conception to completion. This is being specially
mentioned because Engineers without Management expertise or Managers without
Engineering expertise are ill-equipped to handle such complex projects/enterprises
and the poor execution record of such projects/enterprises in our Country is an ample
testimony to this fact.

2.10

Futuristic studies have been with us for a long time, but the term foresight has only
come into wide use in recent years. Need to shape Development so that new
technologies could prove more socially and environmentally beneficial and the
concerns for innovation which is now recognized as a key element for achieving
socio-economic objectives, need necessary Technology Foresight.

3.0

Some Areas Needing Directed Action

3.1

Engineering activities are a part of larger Social / Environmental System

Engineering is the interface between Science/Technology and Society / Nature.
Climate change and Poverty reduction are major challenges. Availability of
Resources is becoming a major constraint. Almost every area of human interest,
activity and endeavour has a branch of Engineering associated with it. Our
Innovations need to be frugal with scarce resources, affordable to our poorest citizens,
and environmentally sustainable. All Engineers, irrespective of their specific
branch/discipline, have to share this role/shoulder this responsibility. In this direction
following two Educational Modules for all the Engineers will be very useful.
i.
ii.

Engineering, Society, Nature and Ethics

Various Engineering Branches and the recent Inventions/Innovatives therein.

Details of the Modules could be worked out by a Nominated Group of Experts and
these could be updated once a year based on inputs from the Field. This will help
Engineers to better play their role, understand needs of Society/Nature, and plan
Innovations accordingly. Inter-disciplinary exposure will assist in cross fertilization of
ideas.
3.2

Regulation/Good Governance
Societal prosperity depends on Regulated use of scarce Natural Resources (Nature)
and using appropriate Technology for the purpose. The broad relationship between
Nature, Technology and Regulation is as under (Ref.: Goodal 2008):
(a)
(b)
(c)

Nature Technology + Regulation = Poverty

Nature + Technology Regulation = Plunder
Nature + Technology + Regulation = Prosperity

Further, Regulation needs Good Governance.

Good Governance is a very vast and complex issue and the Author is not competent to
delve on this vitally important area. Several Committees have already examined it
earlier and many actions have been/are being taken. However, the following three
suggestions may help in the process :
1. Peoples faith in their Ruler (currently Leaders/Administrators) is most important
and without it they cannot exist was the dictum of noted Chinese Philosopher
Confucius. In the current Political/Administrative/Managerial environment we
find wide spread lack of Faith at levels. This is a major road block to Good
Governance/Administration/Management. How to improve the matters is a big
question mark but even a conscious realization of the situation may improve
matters.
Taking recourse to logic alone to correct the situation may not help as in human
relations perception is far more important than logic. (Ref.: Edward De Bono 2009). Further, we will have to explore new methods for effective dispute
resolution like the six hat method proposed by Edward De Bono (2004).
2. Modular Matching of the Geographical/Territorial jurisdictions of various
Functionaries and also of the Departmental Patterns at various Organisational
Levels will greatly help in improved and directed communications enhancing
operational efficiency.
3. The Core and Subsidiary concept can be gainfully used for several Laws/Rules
for effecting considerable overall simplification.
3.3

Project Management
While we can boast of our Planning abilities but our Execution record on most
fronts has been below par and Project execution is no exception. Project Management
today is no longer an issue concerned only with Planning, Scheduling, Estimating and
Cost Control but several other issues and processes have got integrated with it like
Total Quality Management, Concurrent Engineering, Risk Managemnt, etc. (Ref.:
Kerzner - 2003)
As already mentioned in Para 2.9, Engineers without Management expertise or
Managers without Engineering expertise are ill equipped to handle complex projects.
We need talented, competent and experienced Engineer-Managers for the purpose.
Indifferent Government policies, waning interest of bright people in relevant
Engineering disciplines, prevailing predominance of generalist and financial
cultures are some of the factors affecting development of suitable EngineerManagers. This situation needs urgent action/correction as successful execution of
complex projects, without time and cost overruns, will be the mainstay of our
economy/growth.

3.4

Innovations
Innovation is increasingly going beyond the confines of formal R&D. Today
innovation can mean new and unique applications of new technologies, using designs
to develop new products and services, new processes and structures to improve
performance in diverse areas, organisational creativity, and public sector initiatives to
enhance delivery of services. Innovation is being seen as a means of creating
sustainable and cost effective solutions for people at the bottom of the pyramid, and is
being viewed as an important strategy for inclusive growth in developing countries.
The National Innovation Council (NIC) under the Chairmanship of Mr. Sam Pitroda,
Advisor to the PM on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation (PIII) is
preparing a road map for Innovation 2010-2020. The NIC will act as a platform to
facilitate the engagement and collaboration of domain experts, stakeholders and key
participants to create an innovation movement in India. The aim is to herald a mindset
change and create a push at the grassroots level so that more and more people in
education, business, government, NGOs, urban and rural development engaged in
innovative activities are co-opted and become part of shaping the national level
innovation policy.
Since greater role and involvement of people at the bottom of the pyramid is
contemplated, role of Engineers becomes even more relevant in the Innovation
process.

3.5

Climate Change
To give a thrust to this vital area National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
has been prepared and was released in June 2008 by the Prime Minister. The eight core
missions and the Broad Goals of NAPCC can be seen in Box 3.
Box 3
No.

National Mission

Goals

1.

National Solar Mission

Specific goals for increasing the use of solar

thermal technologies in urban areas, industry,
and commercial establishments; Long term aim
is to make solar competitive with fossil based
energy.

2.

National Mission for Enhanced

Energy Efficiency

Initiatives based on the Energy Conservation Act

2001.

3.

National Mission on Sustainable

Habitat

Extending the existing Energy Conservation

Building Code; Emphasis on urban waste
management and recycling, including power
production from waste; In the Transport Sector it
calls for stronger enforcement of automotive fuel
economy standards, using pricing measures to
encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles, and
providing incentives for use of public transport.
Contd.

4.

National Water Mission

20% improvement in water use efficiency

through pricing and other measures.

5.

National Mission for Sustaining the

Himalayan Ecosystem

Conservation of biodiversity, forest cover, and

other ecological values in the Himalayan region,
where glaciers are likely to recede.

6.

National Mission for a Green

India

Expanding forest cover from 23% to 33%.

7.

National Mission for Sustainable

Agriculture

Promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.

8.

National Mission on strategic

Knowledge for Climate Change

The plan envisions a new Climate Science

Research Fund that supports activities like
climate modeling, and increased international
collaboration; It also seeks to encourage private
sector initiatives to develop adaptation and
mitigation technologies.

It will be seen that the Missions cover a wide range of aspects including solar
technologies, enhanced energy efficiency, technology development and research, fuel
economy and efficient transport vehicles, and incentives to use public transport, etc.
However, the benefits which could accrue by modal shift to more environment friendly
modes of transport have not been explicitly covered. This is an area which has a lot of
potential as Transport is a major polluter while remaining an essential need of the
Economy.
3.6

Improving the Image and the Role of Engineering

The Government/Society must recognize the Role which Engineering/Engineers are
playing in Development and should take adequate steps to suitably empower them. In
this direction following are suggested :
1. Boundaries between Science, Technology and Engineering have to be made more
explicit. Engineering should no longer be the Unsung Partner of Science.
2. The scope of present Science and Technology Policy of the Government of India
(currently there is no Engineering Policy) has to expand to include Engineering
also or else a separate Engineering Policy needs to be developed.
3. There is need to have an Engineering Advisor to the Govt. of India on the lines
of present Scientific Advisor.
4. To have Engineers in Government who have direct contact with the ground

realities in the States and who come to the Centre for short stints to get an overall
National View and also share their Field experience from their respective States,
there is need to have an Indian Engineering Service which should be an AllIndia Service on the patterns of IAS, IPS & IFS. Formation of such a Service will
not only send a signal about the importance of the role of Engineering/Engineers
which the Government acknowledges but will also enhance Inter-State
cooperation in this vital field of Engineering. More talented Engineers from
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diverse States joining the proposed Indian Engineering Service will also help in
National/Technological integration.
5. Various Institutions and others should project the important role which
Engineering/Engineers are playing/have to play in Development to educate Public.
This will enhance the Public image of Engineering and will also result in better
public support for related Projects in addition to attracting better talent to the
Profession.
References / Selected Reading
1.

Agarwal, V. K. : Managing Indian Railways The Future Ahead, Manas Publications

(2004).

2.

Edward De Bono : How to Have a Beautiful MInd Vermilion (2004).

3.

Edward De Bono : Think Before its Too Late Vermilion (2009).

4.

Goodal, Chris : Ten Technologies to Save the Planet Green Profile, UK (2008).

5.

Kerzner, Harold : Project Management A Systems Approach, John Wily (2003).

6.

Michio Kaku : Physics of the Future How Science will Shape Human Destiny and
Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100, Allen Lane, 2011.

7.

Navi Radjou, Jaideep Prabhu and Simone Ahuja : Jugaad Innovation A Frugal and
Flexible Approach to Innovation for the 21st Century, Random House India (2012).

8.

Peale, Norman Vincent : The Power of Ethical Management, Fawcert Crest, New
York (1988).

9.

UNESCO Report : Engineering : Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Development,

UNESCO (2010).

*****
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not
to stop questioning. - Albert Einstein
Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which has never
been. - Albert Einstein
Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts
cannot necessarily be counted. - Albert Einstein
Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It
takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction. Albert Einstein
It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education. - Albert Einstein