Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 5 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh said here today that “Atal Tinkering Labs” introduced at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have proved to be game-changer for school children.
While inaugurating the New Delhi Municipal Council’s (NDMC) Schools Annual Science Fair at NDCC Convention Center here, Dr Jitendra Singh said, ”Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres and Atal Community Innovation Centres are inculcating an innovative mindset in school children, besides supporting StartUps and innovators”.
Referring to Mentorship programmes of the Department of Science & Technology and Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) , Dr Jitendra Singh said, all these are guided with the Mantra of “Catch them Young”.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), which recently completed its 7th year, is complementary to the Government’s vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”.
Young minds will steer India’s future growth with Science & Technology and Innovation, the Minister today.
India’s scientific prowess is going to have a major role in the making of Atmanirbhar Bharat, he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, our greatest asset is Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who not only has a natural predilection for science but is also forthcoming in supporting and promoting S&T based initiatives and projects.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, Science & Technology and Innovation go hand in hand and a country with a good scientific temper and R&D structure will excel in innovation and entrepreneurship. The Minister recalled that in 2019, PM Modi at 106th Science Congress, emphasised the importance of Research by adding “Jai Anusandhan” to the famous slogan “Jai Jawaan, Jai Kisaan, Jai Vigyan”.
The S&T Minister pointed out that in the past few years, India has covered a long distance in the innovation landscape and today India has more than 1,25,000 Startups and 100+ Unicorns.
“This has been possible with the government’s various initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission and INSPIRE-MANAK Awards,” he said.
“Atal Tinkering Labs, Atal Incubation Centres and Atal Community Innovation Centres are inculcating an innovative mindset in school children, besides supporting StartUps and innovators,” he said.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that the DST is also encouraging more and more students to participate in the INSPIRE– MANAK (Million Minds Augmenting National Aspirations and Knowledge) Awards scheme.
“It is heartening to note that there were 7 lakh entries from across the country for the INSPIRE Awards this year and more than half of them were girl innovators. Besides, 83% of the entries were from the rural areas and this is a vindication of Prime Minister’s vision to take the Science, Technology and Innovation in the rural hinterland and at the doorsteps of Aspirational Districts and Blocks,” he said.
Dr. Jitendra Singh narrated how the Jigyasa programme is inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a new India and Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) of Scientific Community and Institutions.
Jigyasa is a Student-Scientist Connect Programme implemented by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in collaboration with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS).
Dr Jitendra Singh said, these young innovators will play a crucial role in the Amrit Kaal to contribute to make India a global tech hub by 2047 when India will celebrate Hundred years of Independence.
“This 3rd Generation of post-Independence Bharat is the most fortunate as they are no longer ‘Prisoners of their Aspirations,” said Dr Jitendra Singh, adding, “These are one of the best times with India in the forefront, witnessing innovation under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi”.
The Minister expressed the hope that in the coming years, Innovation in India will play a vital role in achieving the goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.
Dr Jitendra Singh also took a round of the stalls in the exhibition put up on the occasion and witnessed different kinds of science models prepared by the students. NDMC Chairman Amit Yadav was also present on the occasion.
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