STATE TIMES NEWS
NEW DELHI: “Exploring unexplored or under-explored sectors is vital for achieving the India 2047 goal”.
This was stated here today by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while addressing the “States’ Policy Conclave 2024” organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry.
He underlined the need to focus on sectors such as deep-sea exploration and Himalayan resources, which remain largely untapped.
Dr. Singh highlighted that India will be ready to commission its deep-sea mission by the end of next year. He pointed out that the deep-sea, rich in natural resources, could significantly contribute to India’s growth trajectory. He also mentioned that the coastal regions of India, stretching over 7,500 kilometers from Odisha to Maharashtra, are poised to benefit from deep-sea exploration.
According to Dr. Singh, the potential of marine resources had been overlooked for decades due to political constraints but is now gaining focus under the current government’s leadership.
In addition to marine resources, Dr. Singh stressed the importance of Himalayan resources for states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which are located in the Himalayas. He acknowledged that while these resources have been underutilized, the government is now taking proactive steps to unlock their potential.
The Minister also touched upon India’s vibrant startup ecosystem. He noted that while starting a startup might not require proficiency in English, sustaining one is a challenge. He highlighted the success of lavender startups in Jammu and Kashmir, which now boasts around 3,000 such enterprises. Dr. Singh also praised India’s growth in the startup sector, from just 350 startups in 2014 to over 1.7 lakh today, positioning India as the third-largest startup hub globally. Dr. Singh further revealed that the government is contemplating the establishment of a National Resource Foundation to align India’s global strategy with its 2047 vision. He concluded by reiterating the importance of linking academia, research, and industry for optimal growth and sustainable development.