Government Supports Grassroots Innovators in India: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, March 2 (NationPress) The administration under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is recognizing and supporting grassroots innovators for the first time in India, stated Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday.

During the virtual celebration of the silver jubilee of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Singh highlighted Prime Minister Modi’s dedication to ‘Virasat Bhi aur Vikas Bhi’, aiming to merge India’s unique traditional knowledge with modern advanced technology.

He also unveiled a postal stamp, along with a magazine titled 'Innovation Frontline' and a coffee table book, commemorating the occasion.

Focusing on the vital role of rural innovation in India’s economic landscape, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology asserted that innovations originating from remote villages will be enhanced, ensuring equitable access to opportunities and resources similar to those available in urban centers.

He praised India’s evolution from the ‘Fragile Five’ to the ‘First Five’ and its imminent rise to become the fourth-largest economy globally. He advocated for a scientific approach to tapping into underutilized sectors, including those in rural areas that were previously overlooked.

Dr. Jitendra Singh also recalled PM Modi’s call to celebrate National Science Day with enthusiasm, as mentioned in last week’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program. He noted that it is unprecedented for a Prime Minister to provide such support to science and technology.

Expressing satisfaction after engaging with Padma Awardees who promote innovation, Dr. Jitendra Singh inquired about the prolonged delay in recognizing these unsung heroes, many of whom commenced their efforts in the 1990s. He credited PM Modi for transforming the Padma Awards into ‘People’s Padma’ in the truest sense.

The Minister spotlighted the Micro Venture Innovation Fund (MVIF) - a groundbreaking initiative by the NIF in collaboration with SIDBI that has supplied essential risk capital to 238 innovation-driven enterprise projects. He termed it a novel initiative, dispelling the misconception that only elite scientists with prestigious degrees can spearhead innovation and startups. He cited the success of the Lavender Revolution, supported by the CSIR-IIIM, Jammu, and the Floriculture Revolution, driven by the CSIR-IHBT, Palampur.

Dr. Singh mentioned that India’s technology is inherently affordable and efficient, making it appealing on a global scale.

Celebrating the NIF’s 25-year journey, he announced that 713 patents have been granted in India and 5 in the U.S., emphasizing NIF’s role in cultivating grassroots innovations. He also pointed out that NIF was among the initial institutions in India to establish a Technology Business Incubator (TBI), now known as the NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC). Over 25 grassroots startups and several hundred enterprises, some achieving an annual turnover of over Rs 10 crore, are prospering under its support, generating rural employment.

The Science and Technology Minister stressed that under PM Modi’s visionary leadership, India has opened the space sector for private involvement. He also noted that, for the first time, the nuclear energy sector has been accessible to private entities, as indicated in the recent budget.

Dr. Singh urged all innovators to contribute towards realizing a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by 2047.

He characterized the NIF’s 25-year journey as a testament to inclusiveness, shaping India's innovation landscape by effectively identifying, supporting, and disseminating grassroots innovations - reaching even the most secluded border villages.