Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, said that India’s future growth will be shaped by its youth and their capacity to innovate, describing young innovators as the architects of Viksit Bharat @2047.

The Minister was interacting with school students from Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) across the country at an engagement organised by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, on the eve of the 77th Republic Day celebrations.

 Addressing students from diverse regions and backgrounds, Dr Jitendra Singh highlighted that India is among the youngest nations in the world, with a significant proportion of its population below the age of 35. This demographic strength, he said, carries both opportunity and responsibility. The coming decades, particularly the vision year of 2047, will be shaped by today’s students through their ideas, skills, and confidence to innovate.

The Minister explained that the Atal Innovation ecosystem was conceived to build this confidence early in life, enabling students to discover their strengths, explore real-world problems and develop solutions through technology. The initiative, he said, is designed to shift young minds from passive learning to problem-solving, teamwork and experimentation, which are essential for a technology-driven future.

Interacting freely with students, the Minister encouraged them to view technology not merely as a tool for consumption but as a platform for creation. He stressed that modern learning no longer depends solely on physical libraries or coaching centres, as digital access has democratised knowledge. What matters, he said, is the ability to use technology wisely, productively, and ethically.

Dr Jitendra Singh also spoke about the importance of mentoring during formative years, noting that adolescence is the stage where interests, abilities and life paths begin to take shape. Structured innovation platforms such as Atal Tinkering Labs, he said, help students identify what they can do best, rather than chasing uniform or conventional career choices.

Referring to the wide range of student innovations presented during the interaction, spanning health, hygiene, safety, agriculture, artificial intelligence, robotics, environment, and peer-to-peer learning, the Minister said these ideas reflect how innovation is no longer confined to metropolitan cities. He observed that nearly half of India’s startups today are emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, a shift made possible by sustained institutional support and equal access to opportunities.

The Minister also encouraged students to explore region-specific innovation, stating that local geography and resources offer unique possibilities. Students from coastal, island, hilly and mining regions, he said, are well placed to develop solutions that others cannot, thereby creating distinct identities and sustainable innovation pathways.

Highlighting the growing convergence of innovation and entrepreneurship, Dr Jitendra Singh advised students to think beyond prototypes and work towards scalability, market linkages, and long-term viability. He spoke about the expanding support ecosystem for young innovators, including funding, mentorship, patent facilitation, and industry connect through various science and technology programmes.

Reiterating that innovation is a continuous journey, the Minister urged students to collaborate, exchange ideas, form peer groups and learn collectively. Such collaboration, he said, not only strengthens solutions but also builds leadership, communication, and entrepreneurial skills essential for the future workforce.

The interaction concluded with the Minister encouraging students to make the most of the opportunities available in the present decade, describing it as a defining phase for both individual growth and national transformation. He expressed confidence that with curiosity, discipline and the right guidance, today’s young innovators will play a decisive role in shaping a self-reliant, technology-driven, and inclusive India.

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