But this one actually has a plan. S Somnath isn’t just talking about aerospace anymore. He’s asking industries to fund PhD students; not just with cash, but with a job guarantee after graduation. Imagine this: you’re doing your PhD, and instead of scraping by on a stipend, a company pays YOUR entire tuition, AND promises you a job if you solve real problems they’re stuck on. Sounds smart? That’s exactly the point. Most PhDs in India end up working outside their field; because their research doesn’t match what industry needs. Somnath says that’s a waste. Not just of talent, but of potential. He’s pushing for more collaboration; where professors don’t just teach, but help build companies. Where CSR budgets aren’t spent on fancy events, but on funding student research that actually moves the needle. And here’s the twist: while aerospace is booming, pilot training is collapsing. Why? Not enough airports. Not enough slots. Not enough affordable training. So brilliant minds are flying overseas; literally; just to get a license. Meanwhile, airlines struggle to find engineers who understand real-world aviation problems. The solution? Build more institutes. Create real-world training. Tie academia to industry; not on paper, but in practice. This isn’t just about rockets or planes. It’s about rethinking how we train our future. Because right now, we’re producing talent; but we’re not connecting it to need. And that’s where the real gap lies.