Jammu: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, expressed optimism about Jammu and Kashmir becoming the torchbearer of Viksit Bharat during his inaugural address at the first-ever 3-day International Conference on Traditional Medicine and Phytopharmaceuticals. The conference also marked the 11th International Congress of the Society for Ethnopharmacology, hosted at CSIR-IIIM in Jammu.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the unprecedented opportunity for Jammu and Kashmir to contribute significantly to India’s economy. He noted that the region’s previously unexplored resources, such as Aroma and Lithium, are now being harnessed. Initiatives like the Aroma Mission and Purple Revolution, with the cultivation of lavender in Bhaderwah and Gulmarg, showcase the potential for bio-Himalayan resources to contribute substantially to the country’s economy in the next two decades.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mention of lavender farming in Bhaderwah during his Mann Ki Baat program, Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir’s innovative practices are now being adopted by other states, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Nagaland.
Dr. Singh commended India’s global standing, citing achievements such as the indigenously developed COVID vaccine and the Chandrayaan Mission. He highlighted India’s role as a global leader, especially during the pandemic, where India-made vaccines played a crucial role in saving lives worldwide.
India’s traditional medicines and practices, including Yoga, have gained international recognition, turning the country into a brand ambassador for these traditional remedies, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated. He mentioned Prime Minister Modi’s proposal for a Global Biofuels Alliance at the recent G20 Summit, emphasizing collaboration among nations to share best practices.
Dr. Jitendra Singh concluded by calling for greater collaboration between emerging agri-startups and the industry, noting that India’s success stories, including the Covid vaccine, Chandrayaan Mission, and Aroma Mission, are the outcomes of collaborative efforts between startups, industry, producers, and the market. He emphasized the need to optimize the government’s enabling ecosystem for further progress.
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