India no longer follower, beckons others to follow her: Dr Jitendra
Apr 29, 2025
NEW DELHI: In a high-energy confluence of ideas, vision, and strategy at the "Innovation Conclave" "YUGM" held at Bharat Mandapam today, Union Minister for Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh declared that "India is no longer a follower, but beckons others to follow her".
Addressing a packed gathering of policymakers, scientists, educators, and entrepreneurs, at the "Innovation Conclave" "YUGM" held at Bharat Mandapam here today, Dr Jitendra Singh said, "Gone are the days when the so called developed countries accomplished successful initiatives and India followed the same after ten to fifteen years, citing the instance of television. Today, India creates success stories and others follow, he said, citing the examples of Covid vaccine, Chandrayaan and Quantum mission.
"The 21st century belongs to India, and the 2020s will be India's decade," asserted the Minister attributing this transformation to the growing emphasis on science, technology, and innovation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership.
The conclave included the launch of a landmark ₹1,400 crore joint project co-funded by the Wadhwani Foundation and government institutions. The initiative seeks to fast-track late-stage research, deepen industry-academia partnerships, and drive innovations toward real-world impact.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that India's transformation from a resource-constrained innovation ecosystem to a global frontrunner has been made possible by strong political will and a deliberate push for inclusive participation. "Today, successful experiments are being conducted in India, and the world is following us - whether it's the COVID vaccine or Chandrayaan," he said.
Highlighting the rise in the Department of Science and Technology's budget - from ₹2,777 crore a decade ago to ₹28,509 crore now - Dr. Jitendra Singh said the increase reflects not just financial commitment but a cultural shift. Moreover, the private sector is now being aligned in a big way in government projects, he added.
A key feature of the conclave was the announcement of the Wadhwani Innovation Network (WIN) Centres, to be housed at premier research institutions across India. These will serve as hubs for converting academic research into commercially viable solutions. The initiative also formalised a partnership with the "Anusandhan National Research Foundation" (ANRF), which aims to jointly fund translational research, with nearly 70% of its support coming from non-government entities.
Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that the ANRF is a unique model that blends traditional Indian knowledge with cutting-edge technology to yield globally competitive outcomes. He praised the synergy developing between education and innovation sectors, noting the ₹100 crore allocated to align higher education with the National Education Policy 2020 and innovation goals.
The YUGM conclave, named after the Sanskrit word for "confluence", lived up to its title by bringing together government, academia, and industry on a single platform. Deep tech startup showcases, strategic roundtables, and high-level networking added to the event's dynamic agenda.
The dream of a Viksit Bharat is not distant," Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded. The conclave closed on an optimistic note, signalling a decisive moment in India's journey to become a global innovation powerhouse.
