Dharmendra Pradhan Inaugurates IInvenTiv 2024: A Showcase of Innovation at IIT Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, inaugurated the second edition of IInvenTiv, the R&D Innovation Fair of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at IIT Hyderabad. During his keynote address, Pradhan emphasized India’s rich history of innovation and the nation’s commitment to becoming Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pradhan highlighted the significant strides India has made in innovation and entrepreneurship. He stressed the recognition of the Indian Model of Development globally, combining futuristic perspectives with a focus on sustainable development. The government’s goal is to make India a manufacturing hub, contributing at least 25% to the GDP by 2047.

Pradhan outlined key policy changes, including ‘Make In India,’ ‘Invest in India,’ PLI Scheme, and FDI liberalization, designed to boost the manufacturing sector. He urged young innovators to seize the moment, contributing to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat.

Innovation is slated to be a critical determinant for India’s future growth, with start-ups and human capital reshaping traditional norms. Pradhan highlighted India’s achievements, including a robust startup culture, the Digital Public Infrastructure enabling 46% of global digital transactions, and the country’s status as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.

Pradhan emphasized the government’s focus on Deep Tech start-ups in critical sectors like Defence, Drone & Space technology, and Robotics. Initiatives like the Green Hydrogen Mission and the Indian Semiconductor Mission, coupled with PLI schemes, have garnered interest from potential investors.

Linking the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) to innovation, Pradhan noted the policy’s role in creating an ecosystem promoting creativity, critical thinking, and innovation. NEP 2020 focuses on multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary education, fostering innovation through various initiatives.

Pradhan inaugurated the exhibition area, showcasing innovative tools and technologies, and interacted with stakeholders. The IInvenTiv-2024 R&D Innovation Fair will present 120 projects from 53 institutes, targeting domains like Affordable Healthcare, Agriculture & Food Processing, Sustainable Technologies, E-mobility, Defence and Space, and Industry 4.0. The event will host panel discussions to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among industry experts, academics, and innovators.