Madurai: Innovative thinking is the key to success, irrespective of one's field of study, said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist Dilli Babu.

He was addressing students at the Dinamalar Mentoring Programme, jointly organised by Dinamalar and Coimbatore's Sri Krishna Educational Institutions in Madurai.

Speaking on the inaugural day of the seminar titled 'You Too Can Become a Scientist', Babu shared his personal journey, attributing his inspiration to pursue a scientific career to the book Agni Siragugal by former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. "Reading that book set my goal to become a scientist like him," he said.

Highlighting DRDO's role, he noted that the organisation operates 50 laboratories across India, spearheading advancements in land, air, and maritime defence technology.

DRDO develops key military assets, including tanks, ships, and submarines, serving as the technological backbone of India's armed forces. It has also contributed significantly to life-saving innovations for civilian use.

"For a nation to attain developed status, it must excel in science, technology, and military advancements alongside economic progress," he stressed. India is now among the select nations working on indigenous fighter jet engines and is set to become the fifth country with such capability, he added.

Encouraging students across disciplines—medicine, engineering, arts, science, and agriculture—Babu urged them to cultivate innovative thinking. He also informed students about DRDO's scholarship opportunities for JEE Main qualifiers, offering financial aid of ₹1.2 lakh annually. Additionally, he highlighted the Maharashtra Military College's drone technology course, available with scholarships.

"No matter the course, if you have a novel idea, you can establish a startup and build a successful future," he said.