Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh Calls for Sustainable Start-ups with Indigenous Innovation

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Earth Sciences, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Ministry of Science and Technology, MoS PMO, and Minister of State Ministry of Personnel and Public Grievances, has emphasized the importance of developing sustainable start-ups through indigenous innovation. According to him, for start-ups to be viable, innovation must become a dynamic process.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated at the inaugural event of ‘Iconic 75 Industry Connect I Connect)’ in Jorhat, Assam, that innovative start-ups by young entrepreneurs must shoulder responsibility for the next 25 years of glorious journey when India celebrates 100 years of independence as a frontline nation in the world. According to him, the goal of industry connect is to explore internationally benchmarked technologies and products in order to make the country self-sufficient and self-generating. He stated that while our research institutions are well equipped and qualified to generate world-class innovations and goods in laboratories, there is a gap in terms of bringing them to market and, eventually, to society for the benefit of the country’s common women and men.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that research and industry have a mutually beneficial connection in order to flourish and expand, and he urged the industry to have an equal interest in R&D through substantial investment in order to create and bring world-class goods from laboratories to market. He also emphasised the need of product branding in order to develop a place in the Indian and global markets.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Government-Industry Connect, Dr Jitendra Singh said, the iconic 75 Industry Connect (‘i’-connect) events are aimed at forging partnership with industry in 10 thematic /focus areas. He said, this is the consolidate efforts of DSIR/CSIR, DBT, DST, MoES and other scientific departments of the Government of India to reach out to industry. Coming together of several scientific departments for the cause of science is a phenomenon seldom seen before and the “Team Sprit” is the key mantra of the Government, the Minister added.

According to Dr. Jitendra Singh, the reason for launching the industrial i-Connect series from Jorhat in Assam originates from the Prime Minister’s significant desire for the development of the North-Eastern Region. He recalled that Modi had stated in 2014 that the government’s aim is to put the undeveloped parts of the North-East, J&K, and other Hill states and Island territories on par with the developed sections of the country. Because of its rich bio-diversity and vast bamboo resources, the Minister expressed optimism that the N-E area, as a place of untapped potential, will become a destination for future start-ups, entrepreneurship, and fresh investment.

Dr. Jitendra Singh praised the contribution of scientific institutions such as CSIR, ISRO, DAE, DRDO, ICAR, and DBT, DST, and MoES, to mention a few, in India’s progressive path, while also emphasising that the industry understands the complexities of the process of moving technologies from labs to land. In light of this, he stated that forming partnerships with industry is critical, and he urged further strengthening of ties between academia and industry in order to develop cutting-edge technologies and products and deliver them in the shortest possible time frame in order to realise the Prime Minister’s vision for ‘Samarth’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the CSIR, the country’s premier industrial research organisation, is known for its close relationship with industry and that in the past it has contributed to the development and support of industries such as catalyst industry, agrochemical, pharma, and leather, to name a few. The Minister stated that each ‘i’-Connect event will include a range of events such as major industry conferences, plenary presentations, technical displays, B2B meetings, round table discussions, and breakout sessions to promote and nurture business (es).

Dr Jitendra Singh said that today’s event will provide a platform for interaction amongst important group of technology experts, government leaders, academic scholars, industry captains and start-ups; reaching out to MSMEs and Start-ups in consolidated manner with focus on funding, technology development, technology transfer; identification and establishment of Network (Govt scheme, R&D setup, Industry, MSMEs, startup, Academia) around focus areas; and finally capturing the requirements of industry. He hoped that this would pave the way for more synergistic collaboration with industry and other stakeholders.

In his concluding remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this unique series of 75 Industry Connect (‘i’-connect) events put up by the Ministries of Science & Technology & Earth Sciences to showcase the achievements in diverse S&T areas is part of several iconic events in line with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations of the Govt. of India which commemorate 75 years of progressive India and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. The Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he added, is committed to every countryman who has played an active role in the country’s evolutionary path, as well as the capacity and resolves to support Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s plans for self-reliance and a global economy.

As a result of these events, the Minister stated that he is looking forward to receiving White Papers on theme areas of joint research and technology development. This should include specific goals and a well-thought-out plan / roadmap for accomplishing them under stringent time constraints.

Keshab Mahanta, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Science and Technology, and Information Technology of the Assam Government, stated in his address that the CSIR Compendium of Technologies for Entrepreneurship of Relevance in North East India will aid in the development of technology-based entrepreneurship throughout the region. He stated that the Assam government is financially supporting indigenous inventions and start-ups in order to enable them expand at the national and global levels. He stated that climate change has arisen as a crucial issue of concern and research and that the government is enlisting the help of industry and academics to discover green solutions to such concerns.

Dr V. K. Saraswat, Member NITI Aayog in his address said that in the last 7-8 years, India has jumped from 85 to 47th rank in Global Innovation Index and that has created a major cultural shift in the start-ups culture in the country. He said, we can further leapfrog in the Innovation Index by bringing more and more industry in innovation eco-system.

A Presentation on CSIR Technologies in areas like Medicinal, Aromatic & Floriculture plants and their value addition, Food technologies and Leather & leather products were made before the august gathering.

Dr Jitendra Singh also released CSIR Compendium of Technologies for Entrepreneurship of Relevance in North East India on the occasion.