Need for stronger commitment to innovation from corporate world: VP

Kanpur: Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted the critical importance of innovation in shaping the nation's future and said that IIT-Kanpur plays a pivotal role in nurturing innovative minds who are driving transformative changes across the globe.Dhankhar was delivering an address on ‘Role of Innovation in the Development of India,' during his visit to the IIT, Kanpur on Sunday. He was accompanied by UP governor Anandiben Patel, assembly speaker Satish Mahana and MSME minister Rakesh Sachan. IIT-K director prof Manindra Agrawal, deputy director prof Braj Bhushan, along with the faculty, staff, and students were also presnt on the occasion. The VP underscored the far-reaching impact of IIT graduates in global markets, particularly in places like Silicon Valley. He, recognising the progress of India in terms of infrastructure, global recognition, and technological advancements, urged the students to leverage this ecosystem for their growth and India's prosperity.Dhankhar also highlighted the need for a stronger commitment to innovation from the corporate world and asked the businesses to increase their investments in research and development.Highlighting IIT-K's role in fostering entrepreneurship through initiatives like its incubation centre, which has supported over 400 startups, including a significant number of women-led ventures, he underlined the critical need for continued support for such initiatives. The Vice-President shared a vision for the future of innovation that focuses on smart, scalable, and sustainable solutions that not only solve real-world problems but also create a lasting impact. He urged the institute to engage in mission-mode projects that empower farmers. By fostering innovation in agriculture, IIT-K has the opportunity to transform India's agricultural landscape, create new avenues for economic growth, and improve livelihoods of of farmers, he said.Governor Anandiben Patel commended IIT-K's distinguished legacy as a pioneer in technological excellence and innovation, underlining its crucial role in inspiring students to drive meaningful societal change. She said, "Innovation is not just about creating new technologies; it's about adapting ideas to meet the needs of society. With the right guidance, India's future in innovation will propel the nation toward self-reliance and development by 2047."Prof Agrawal said, "The Vice-President's choice of the theme, ‘The Role of Innovation in the Development of India', perfectly aligns with the institute's mission to drive technological advancement and societal impact. "