Bengaluru, 19 March (H.S.):

Bengaluru has been an aerospace hub for decades. The fact that research and aircraft-related activities started way back in the 1960s has augered well for the city.

While the Indian Institute of Science IISc had a full-fledged Aerospace Department offering a master's degree in Research, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd was the epicentre of manufacturing activities.

With the coming of the National Aerospace Laboratory, ISRO, the ecosystem was perfect and conducive for each activity related to Aero.

The massive pool of engineers churned out by the institutions in Bengaluru has been a blessing in disguise.

The proactive role of the state governments over the years in formulating Aerospace policies has attracted business development.

BIAL, Bengaluru International Airport Ltd, success story is an ideal case study for the green field, PPP model. The humongous air traffic not only at Terminal 1 and T2, validates the huge demand for Civil Aviation.

UDAN, Ude Desh Ka Har Nagarik scheme of the Government of India has further provided the impetus for regional connectivity not only in Karnataka but also all over India.

The connectivity to tier 2 cities from KIAL is an eye-opener to the potential of Civil Aviation. The Karnataka government per say has put all its might in connecting the dots.

While ISRO attracted global attention at the time of Chandrayaan, HAL's success story with Light Combat Aircraft is worth watching. The aerospace park at Devanahalli yet again is a glaring example of the vision and mission of the State Government.

About the private sector, there have been interesting success stories in the Manufacturing sector.

I was a rank newcomer to Bangalore in the late 1970s at the time of starting my business venture Dynamics Hydraulics Ltd, DHL. From being a Small scale industry to becoming a vendor to globally competitive companies like Boeing it has been a fabulous journey. I must give credit to the policymakers and officials. They have been of great support in reaching out to the business community very well.

Look at the way the state government positioned Aero India shows. In matter of two decades, Aero India has become world renowned and the most successful Air Show for the Military, Civil , Aerospace and Defense sectors.

The exposure to globally recognised Companies in events like these provides very good exposure to private players.

And I am very happy to have collaborated with the Government of Karnataka. And my decision to start my business enterprise in Bengaluru was the right decision, Udyan Malhotra, Chairman and Managing Director of Dynamic Hydraulics Ltd had said during an interaction.

Well with such a great ecosystem for aerospace-related activities, Bengaluru certainly is matching towards a globally recognised Aerospace hub.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manjunath Chavan