Jitendra Singh Launches ‘VISION’ to Empower Underprivileged Students with Innovation and Skills

New Delhi: Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh today inaugurated the “Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network” (VISION), a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children.

During the launch, Dr. Singh praised the initiative for its focus on democratizing startup skills and providing equal opportunities for students across the country. “VISION symbolizes a broader effort to make the startup ecosystem accessible to all, especially those in remote areas,” he remarked, emphasizing its role as a gateway to mentorship and training.

Dr. Singh highlighted India’s rapid ascent in the global startup ecosystem, growing from just 350–400 startups in 2014 to over 1.67 lakh in 2024, making it the third-largest globally. He attributed this growth to an enabling environment fostered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and the introduction of a robust startup policy.

Citing success stories like lavender farming startups in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr. Singh noted how such initiatives have transformed regional economies, creating jobs and encouraging innovation beyond traditional IT sectors. “Startups can thrive in agriculture, space, biotechnology, and more when provided with the right support and guidance,” he added.

The Minister also underscored the critical role of biotechnology in India’s future, highlighting the recently introduced Bio-E3 policy focused on leveraging biotechnology for the economy, employment, and environment. “The next industrial revolution will be bio-economy-driven, much like the IT revolution of the 1990s,” Dr. Singh stated, pointing to the surge in biotech startups from 50 in 2014 to nearly 9,000 today.

He emphasized how technology bridges gaps between urban and rural India, enabling students from remote areas to achieve academic success with digital resources. “Initiatives like VISION harness this technological potential to fuel a new wave of innovation and empowerment,” he said.

Dr. Singh also commended the flexibility introduced by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages students to explore unconventional career paths. “The NEP ensures students are no longer confined to traditional academic choices, enabling them to innovate and lead,” he said.