Is India's Scientific Heritage Fueling Startups Under CM Mohan Yadav's Vision?
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Key Takeaways
Bhopal, Jan 12 (NationPress) Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav on Monday highlighted India's extensive history of innovation while stressing the crucial role of startups in advancing the nation towards becoming the world's leading economy.
Speaking at the Madhya Pradesh Startup Summit & Ecosystem Awards 2026 at Ravindra Bhavan, Bhopal, he acknowledged the often-overlooked contributions of Indian scientists and commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives in enhancing research and entrepreneurship.
Dr Yadav referenced the pioneering work of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, who in the late 1800s showed that plants exhibit life, sensitivity, and reactions to stimuli -- findings now confirmed by modern “gastography” revealing a 10,000-fold increase in plant responses.
He also mentioned Bose’s 1895 microwave demonstration in Kolkata, which was later adopted by Marconi for the Nobel Prize, and early concepts of semiconductors, lamenting that these contributions were largely ignored by post-Independence administrations due to resource limitations.
"Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the nation is transforming," Dr Yadav stated, urging applause for the PM's initiatives to support research and startups, including a 2022 program initiated in Indore.
He showcased inventive startups, such as one creating a low-cost device that can harvest one acre of crops for only Rs 10 in an hour, utilizing a TV-screen-operated mini-tractor to meet environmental and agricultural demands.
Dr Yadav expressed optimism that India, currently the fourth-largest economy, will soon become the third and ultimately the first.
Chief Secretary Anurag Jain, while addressing attendees, applauded the state's proactive policies and ecosystem development, asserting, "Madhya Pradesh's commitment to innovation, ease of doing business, and inclusive growth is establishing it as a vital contributor to India's startup landscape."
MSME Minister Chetanya Kahsya commended the summit's interactive platform, stating, "Such events promote collaboration among government, entrepreneurs, and investors, accelerating Madhya Pradesh's rise as a startup hub."
The two-day summit, energized by the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy 2025, has convened innovators, investors, and ecosystem leaders to foster inclusive, future-ready advancement.