A Quiet Proposal That Could Change India’s Tech Future: ISRO’s Ex-Chief Pushes for AI Lab in Mysuru

A Small Suggestion With Big Impact: Sometimes, the biggest ideas come in simple sentences. That’s exactly what happened when ISRO’s former chairman recently suggested setting up an AI startup lab in Mysuru. The remark may have sounded modest, but inside the hall, it sparked serious discussion about the future of innovation in India.

Mysuru, known more for its heritage than high-tech hubs, suddenly found itself at the centre of a bold new vision.

Why Mysuru? The City Few Expected

Most people would expect such a proposal for Bengaluru, Hyderabad, or Pune. But Mysuru offers something different – calm surroundings, strong universities, and a growing youth population hungry for opportunity.

A senior academic present at the event said quietly,

“Not every big idea needs a noisy city. Sometimes innovation grows best where minds can focus.”

The idea is to turn Mysuru into a space where young founders can build, test, and scale AI products without the pressure of expensive metros.

What the AI Startup Lab Could Look Like

The proposed lab is not just another office building with computers. The vision shared was far more practical.

• Mentorship from scientists and industry experts
• Access to real-world problems, not just classroom projects
• Early funding support for student-led startups
• Links with ISRO and other research bodies for advanced guidance

The former ISRO chief reportedly told the audience,

“If we want original technology, we must grow it at the roots, not import it later.”

A Push for Homegrown Innovation

India already uses AI in many sectors – from farming apps to hospital systems. But much of the core technology still comes from outside.

This proposed lab aims to change that story. The focus is on building Indian solutions for Indian problems, especially in areas like:

• Weather forecasting
• Smart transport
• Health diagnostics
• Disaster management

These are fields where space research experience and AI can work together naturally.

Students React: Hope, Not Hype

Among the loudest responses came from students attending the talk. For many, the idea felt personal.

A final-year engineering student shared,

“We always dream of moving to big cities for startups. If this lab comes here, maybe we don’t have to leave our home to chase our ideas.”

That feeling – staying close to home while building something global – is exactly what supporters of the proposal believe will keep talent rooted in smaller cities.

Government and Industry Take Notice

Though the idea is still at an early stage, officials and industry leaders in the audience were seen taking notes. A few even stayed back after the event to discuss how such a lab could be supported through public-private partnerships.

One industry expert summed it up simply:

“This is not about one building. It’s about building confidence in young innovators.”

The former ISRO chairman’s suggestion may have lasted only a few minutes on stage, but its message was clear. If India wants to lead in AI, it must plant innovation where new minds are growing – even in cities not usually in the spotlight. Mysuru could soon become one of those quiet places where big futures begin.