New Delhi, May 4 (IANS). Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that technology-based innovation is the key to India’s economic renaissance, the scope of which has now expanded beyond research to industry, startups and national development.
Addressing the 56th Foundation Day program of the Department of Science and Technology at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) auditorium in the national capital, the Minister said science now needs to be taken ‘from laboratories to markets and from ideas to impact’, reflecting a new policy direction in which research is being directly linked to economic outcomes.
Dr Singh said India’s science and technology sector has witnessed a decisive transformation in the last decade, supported by policy decisions that have opened up sectors such as space and nuclear energy to private participation.
He further said that these steps have created new opportunities for startups and industries, enabling India to better utilize its vast human resources and strengthening its position in the global innovation ecosystem.
Referring to the rapid expansion of the space sector, Dr. Singh said that startup-based innovation has accelerated in India within a few years of opening it up to the private sector. New capabilities are being developed in areas such as satellite technology, which are enhancing economic growth as well as strengthening national security. He said similar momentum is being seen in other emerging technology areas as well.
He said that no country can progress in science in isolation from industry and private sector, hence deep collaboration between the government, academic institutions and industries is necessary.
India’s global scientific standing has also strengthened, with the country’s share of high-level research publications increasing, reflecting both quality and impact.
He said that India’s startup ecosystem has also grown rapidly, which was limited to a few hundred a decade ago, but has now reached more than two lakh startups.
Principal Scientific Advisor Professor Ajay Kumar Sood said that it is important to link research with technology development and commercialization.
Meanwhile, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Professor Abhay Karandikar, while mentioning the major initiatives like Research National Research Foundation (ANRF), RDI Fund and National Quantum Mission, said that these programs are playing an important role in strengthening India’s science and innovation ecosystem.
–IANS
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