November 21, 2024: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today unveiled Vision Portal the “Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network” (VISION), a transformative program designed to foster education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children across India.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Singh emphasized that the initiative aims to democratize access to startup skills and entrepreneurial opportunities. By reaching out to marginalized communities, VISION Portal symbolizes an inclusive effort to empower students from all walks of life.
Vision Portal Launched: Democratizing Opportunity in the Startup Ecosystem
Dr. Singh highlighted the critical role of initiatives like Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network in bridging the gap between rural and urban India. “An initiative like VISION provides an opportunity for even the most underprivileged to understand and engage with the innovation landscape,” he remarked.
India’s startup ecosystem, which has seen exponential growth—from 400 startups in 2014 to over 1.67 lakh today, now ranks as the third-largest globally. Dr. Singh credited this progress to enabling policies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, such as the introduction of a new startup policy that fosters innovation and entrepreneurship.
Inspiring Innovation Beyond IT
Dr. Singh underscored that startups are thriving in diverse sectors beyond IT, citing examples like lavender farming startups in Jammu and Kashmir that have spurred job creation and transformed local economies. “Startups can succeed in agriculture, biotechnology, space, or any other field if they are provided with proper guidance and support,” he said.
Highlighting the burgeoning biotech sector, he noted that India’s biotech startups have grown from just 50 in 2014 to nearly 9,000 today. He attributed this to rising interest in areas like DNA vaccines and biotechnology research, alongside supportive policies such as the recently launched Bio-E3 policy focusing on economic growth, employment, and environmental sustainability.
“The next industrial revolution will be driven by bio-economy, just as the IT revolution shaped the 1990s,” Dr. Singh predicted, positioning India as a global leader in biotechnology innovation.
Empowering Students with Technology and NEP 2020
Dr. Singh lauded technology’s role in leveling the playing field for students from underserved communities, sharing stories of individuals who have succeeded in competitive exams like the IITs and Civil Services using just smartphones. He emphasized how programs like Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network could catalyze such success on a larger scale.
The Minister also praised the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which enables students to mix diverse subjects and pursue unconventional career paths. “This flexibility liberates students from traditional constraints and empowers them to innovate,” he said.
Public-Private Partnerships and Vision India 2047
Dr. Singh stressed the importance of public-private collaborations and early industry linkages to help startups achieve sustainability. He cited the example of India’s first private rocket manufacturing startup, which recently established a unit in Hyderabad, as a testament to the potential of such partnerships.
Concluding his address, Dr. Singh expressed optimism about India’s trajectory as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that initiatives like Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network are key to achieving the country’s aspirations under Vision India 2047, which aims to position India as a global leader in education, technology, and economic development.
“VISION will truly add vision to ‘Vision India 2047.’ I am confident it will inspire many more initiatives to follow,” he stated, commending the organizers for their commitment to India’s future.
