‘Efforts on to open full fledged Railway Division in J&K’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Sept 16: Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir requires a StartUp fillip to change “Sarkari Naukri” mindset, Union Minister in PMO with independent Charge of Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh today asked the youth to come forward and take advantage of revolutionary schemes launched by Narendra Modi Government during last nine years.
In the midst of a Startup revolution across India, Government job mind-set could prove to be an impediment, said Dr. Jitendra Singh while inaugurating ‘Youth Conclave’ here, today organized by CSIR-IIIM Jammu.
The Union Minister who later unveiled the naming of Martyr Captain Tushar Mahajan Railway Station at Udhampur told reporters that efforts are on to open a full fledged Railway Division in J&K.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that he has taken up the issue with Railway Minister as with extension of Rail link to Kashmir and increasing number of trains since last 60 years after the establishment of Railway Division in Ferozpur, Punjab, there is need to establish full fledged Railway Division in J&K and Udhampur being the Centrally place can be option for it. However, the decision can be taken by the Railway Ministry after taking all apsects into consideration.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that by this yearend or early next year, Kashmir will also be linked with other parts of country through rail as work on the construction of the rail link to Valley will be completed by this year end.
Earlier while addressing the Conclave, at Jammu, Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is the best times happening in India as the successful launch of Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya has sparked global aspirations among Indian students. With the unlocking of space technology by PM, Narendra Modi, the doors of Sriharikota are open for public now to watch satellite/rocket launch which was a dream earlier. Some ten thousand watched the Aditya-L1 launch and 1000 media persons were present during the launch of Chandrayaan-3, Dr. Jitendra Singh added.
The Union Minister regretted that in last 70 years of independence the Space was not opened for people and doors of Sriharikota were kept closed. It was PM Narendra Modi who opened them for people.
He said despite having the same talent, ability and spirit to work why India could not explore possibilities to reach on Moon. “We had great Scientist like Vikram Sarabhai but from the level of political leadership in the previous governments there was no patronization at that time. The Chandrayaan could have not have possible if Modi would not have opened space for common man”, he added.
“We had no options here earlier and our children were going to NASA as there were no opportunities and encouragement,” he said, adding Chandaryaan gave proof of water on earth which the US astronaut, Neil Armstrong could not find.
Revealing India’s future plans in space exploration, Dr Jitendra Singh said that after sending two trial missions to Gaganyaan either by ending this year or early next year and after their success India will send the human mission to Gaganyaan in next year.
The Union Minister said, India’s youth today is no longer the prisoner of aspiration as this generation has aspirations in abundance & avenues in tons, with numerous opportunities knocking at their doors in the form of Start-ups which are now the engines of economic growth.
Praising NEP-2020 as one of the revolutionary steps taken by PM Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, NEP-2020 supplements Start-Up ecosystem (Start-up India, Stand-up India clarion call given by PM Narendra Modi), promises new careers and entrepreneurship opportunities for students and youth in India.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said, the provision of multiple entry/exit option is something to be cherished as this academic flexibility will have a positive impact on the students related to the availing of different career opportunities at different times, depending upon their intrinsic learning and inherent aptitude.
Saying that one of the objectives of NEP-202 is de-linking degree from education, Dr. Jitendra Singh said that linking degrees with education has taken a heavy toll on our education system and society as well. One of the fall-outs has been an increasing number of educated unemployed.
Referring to the nine years of Modi Government, Dr. Jitendra Singh pointed out that apart from formal jobs, lakhs of opportunities and avenues have been created outside the Government sector for the youth of the country, be it Start-up policy, Mudra Scheme, PM SVA Nidhi etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, this is all evident now that with the unlocking of space sector by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in June 2020, the number of Space Start-ups sky-rocketed from merely four to 150 and most of them being led by science students, researchers and entrepreneurs.
Dr Jitendra Singh further said that there were just around 350 Start-ups before 2014, but after PM Modi gave the clarion call from the ramparts of the Red Fort in his Independence Day address and after rolling out special Start-up scheme in 2016, there has been a quantum jump with over 1.25 lakh Start-ups now with more than 110 Unicorns. Similarly, he added that in the Biotech sector, from 50 odd Start-ups in 2014, we now have 6,000 Biotech Start-ups.
Appreciating CSIR-IIIM for being one of the oldest scientific research institutes in India, Dr. Jitendra Singh said, it has the history of discovering mint way back in 1960s and becoming the centre of purple revolution in India.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that besides Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and Bala Ji temple in Jammu, Mantalai and Mansar lake in Udhampur district will also be brought on pilgrimage tourism map.
He said a state of art centre has been opened at Mantalai and Government has spent Rs 200 crore on the same while Rs 100 crore project has been sanctioned for Mansar. Besides, Khelani to Sudhmahadev High is being constructed and it will be a big tourist circuit which will boost economy of the area, he added.
In the welcome address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmad, Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu said, CSIR-IIIM Jammu is endeavoured to promote start-up and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir and this Youth Conclave today is part of this endeavour so that youth of today is informed of the tons of entrepreneurship opportunities provided by the Government.
Mayor Jammu, Rajinder Sharma in his address asked the youth that they should get inspired from the dedication and spirit of hard work of former President of India, Dr Abu Kalam, former Union Minister, Dr B R Ambedkar and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi who despite coming from a poor background rose to the highest positions in their lives.
He also complimented Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh for taking keen interest in development of J&K by bringing umpteen developmental projects including medical colleges, AIIMS, research institutes, biotech parks, hydro electric projects etc in the UT which will which will prove a game changer in future.
DDC Chairman, Jammu, Bharat Bhushan while maintaining that Government jobs can’t be given to everyone asked the youth to take advantage of Modi Government schemes like startups. He said PM Narendra Modi deserves congratulations for taking revolutionary steps like start up India and StandUp India.
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