Do you know?
The most tragic chapter in India's tech history is that of the Semiconductor Complex Ltd (SCL), Mohali.
In 1984, SCL started with a 5000 nm process, then leapt to 800 nm - global cutting edge, barely a year or two behind then leader like Intel.
At that time, China and Taiwan had NOT even entered the chip-fab arena!
Then, in 1989, disaster struck: a mysterious fire gutted the Mohali facility, wiping out all the progress.
The fire started at multiple points simultaneously in the facility.
The probe was inconclusive, but suspicion of sabotage lingered - India's semiconductor dream was dealt a body blow.
Worse, subsequently revival decisions and funding were stalled for years - by the lack of political vision and bureaucratic apathy.
Today, indian government's push to reboot India's chip industry is given an impetus.
Those impatient with the pace must remember - this is among the hardest, most strategic industries to build.
Huge progress has been made and more is sure to happen.
