Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw compares India to China, questions techies: 'What use is tech talent without civic sense?'

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, has urged India’s technology professionals to apply their skills to solving everyday civic challenges.

In a worded post on X, she wrote, “What use is tech talent without civic sense?” She went on to question whether technology could be better used to improve urban life, adding, “Can’t we use technology to keep our city clean, to discipline our traffic and improve infrastructure?”



Drawing a comparison with China’s technological interventions in public services, she remarked, “If China can use robots to collect garbage, clean sewers n control traffic offenders, why can’t we?”

Calling for action, she encouraged innovation with a purpose, stating, “Come on techies rise to the challenge – waste to wealth n to a clean and green city.”

Mazumdar-Shaw, who also previously served as chairperson of the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, has consistently advocated for technology-led progress.

Her latest comments add to the growing debate on how India’s vast tech talent pool can contribute not just to industry, but to cleaner, more efficient cities.