IR gives a very bad treatment to R&D deptt. and it is considered as a one of the loop lines or dumping grounds of the organisation, as far as the importance and promotional prospect of personnel is concerned.
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R&D actually is a higher order job needing very high technical command over the subject and it can be done only by very good engineers only. Operation is on the other hand a routine job which even an uneducated with high IQ, experience & dedication can very well do.
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Although scientists-Engineers as well as doctors have brought most of the laurels for the nation in the international arena, but these fields/ personnels exactly are least nurtured in our country. Indian scientist too have done maximum discoveries/ new developments in other countries like USA and not in India. No wonder a large number of the brightest engineers and doctors aspire to go abroad and work for job satisfaction as well as better pay.
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If the Indian engineers get opportunity to work in world class R&D organisations, they excel, but if they work in our country, the result is just like the case of SG-LHB coaches/ HOG Locos, which is such an important issue that it can justify the very adoption of LHB coaches in IR.
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The requirement of SG LHB coaches was known to IR even before awarding the contract for supply of new LHB coaches with Transfer of technology. Many experts were opposed to IR spending heavy amount on LHB coaches as their utility is questionable. Even then the contract was awarded and 20 years later, IR is doing LHB fication of express/SF trains with introduction of 2 generator cars which is a retrograde step. The allegations of corruption earlier made regarding this deal gets vindicated, as large scale manufacture of LHB coaches in IR is not feasible without SG feature (HOG in IR loco was no where in picture during award of contact).