Who is the father of Wi-Fi in India?
1 Answer
The "father of Wi-Fi in India" is **Dr. C. Kumar N. Patel**, a physicist of Indian origin. However, if we delve deeper into contributions specific to India, **Dr. Abhay Karandikar**, an Indian scientist and academic, is often recognized for his contributions to wireless communication and networking technologies, including Wi-Fi advancements tailored for India's unique requirements.
Here is an overview of the contributions:
### 1. **Dr. C. Kumar N. Patel**:
- While Dr. Patel's groundbreaking invention of the **carbon dioxide laser** in 1964 laid foundational principles for optical technologies and wireless communication, he is more globally known for influencing advancements in the technology that eventually contributed to Wi-Fi.
- Though his contributions were foundational and global, they inspired further research globally, including in India.
### 2. **Dr. Abhay Karandikar**:
- Dr. Karandikar, the former Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has made significant contributions to wireless communication research in India.
- He played a pivotal role in developing **India-specific Wi-Fi standards** for low-cost rural broadband solutions. This includes the creation of **PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface)**, a government initiative to boost connectivity across India.
- He has led efforts to optimize wireless communication networks for diverse and challenging geographical conditions in India.
### Wi-Fi and India:
Wi-Fi technology itself was not invented in India—it was a result of contributions by multiple scientists worldwide, including John O'Sullivan and the CSIRO team in Australia. However, the adaptation and widespread application of Wi-Fi in the Indian context have been driven by pioneers like Dr. Karandikar, who tailored it to serve India's rural and urban connectivity needs.
Here is an overview of the contributions:
### 1. **Dr. C. Kumar N. Patel**:
- While Dr. Patel's groundbreaking invention of the **carbon dioxide laser** in 1964 laid foundational principles for optical technologies and wireless communication, he is more globally known for influencing advancements in the technology that eventually contributed to Wi-Fi.
- Though his contributions were foundational and global, they inspired further research globally, including in India.
### 2. **Dr. Abhay Karandikar**:
- Dr. Karandikar, the former Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has made significant contributions to wireless communication research in India.
- He played a pivotal role in developing **India-specific Wi-Fi standards** for low-cost rural broadband solutions. This includes the creation of **PM-WANI (Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface)**, a government initiative to boost connectivity across India.
- He has led efforts to optimize wireless communication networks for diverse and challenging geographical conditions in India.
### Wi-Fi and India:
Wi-Fi technology itself was not invented in India—it was a result of contributions by multiple scientists worldwide, including John O'Sullivan and the CSIRO team in Australia. However, the adaptation and widespread application of Wi-Fi in the Indian context have been driven by pioneers like Dr. Karandikar, who tailored it to serve India's rural and urban connectivity needs.