3D Printing in Jammu & Kashmir

Yesterday the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir was interviewed by The Print. He made a mention of two technology centers set up by Tata Technologies in Jammu and Baramulla to give students access to new technologies like 3D printing, artificial intelligence, robotics, etc. 3D Systems has partnered with Tata Technologies and deployed our production-grade Figure 4 Standalone 3D printers in these two facilities. Earlier this year I had visited both these facilities and spent some time interacting with the faculty and students. As I explained the technology and its potential uses, the questions started pouring in. As I fished out 3D printed parts from my backpack their eyes lit up.

Thanks to my college mate who is in the Indian Army and was stationed at Baramulla at that time, I also had the opportunity to interact with a few Indian Army officers and soldiers of a particular unit. The unit was unique in the sense that it recruited soldiers exclusively from the Kashmir valley. These young men were proud to serve the nation and help bring back normalcy to people’s lives.

As I was being driven to the Srinagar airbase, I noticed a huge crowd at the entrance. My heart started racing wondering whether there had been a terror attack or whether protesters had gathered to pelt stones. My friend said to me, “These boys are here to try and get recruited in the armed forces. They need opportunities just like anyone else in the country.”