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JAMMU: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, on Saturday appealed to Jammu & Kashmir youth to give up “Sarkari Naukri” mindset.
Inaugurating 2-day “National Startup Festival” , organized by CSIR-India Institute of Integrative Medicine at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar,here, the Minister dedicated the festival to the youth of Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing the importance of innovation, entrepreneurship, and early industry linkages in ensuring startup success.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the immense potential of agriculture-based startups in the region, particularly the Purple Revolution, which has enabled over 3,000 youth in Jammu & Kashmir to earn in lakhs through lavender StartUp initiative. He encouraged young minds to recognize their aptitudes and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, rather than solely focusing on government jobs.
The Minister further emphasized that Jammu & Kashmir’s agri-startup ecosystem is thriving, with lavender cultivation in Bhaderwah, Doda district, putting the region on the global startup map. The Minister urged greater inclusion of urban areas in agri-startups, with a focus on expanding lavender cultivation and other high-value agricultural ventures.
With two lakh StartUps currently operating in India, the country has secured the third position in the global startup ecosystem. The S&T Minister noted that startups are not only boosting economic growth but also providing lucrative employment opportunities, particularly for women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
He stressed the critical role of industry linkages and market research in ensuring the long-term sustainability of startups, encouraging young entrepreneurs to study market dynamics at the outset.
Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed India’s space economy’s rapid growth, attributing its success to collaboration between the public and private sectors. He also celebrated the contributions of women-led teams in major space missions, including Chandrayaan-2 and Aditya L1.
On the education front, Dr Jitendra Singh commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which has revamped India’s education system by creating a level playing field and ensuring digital inclusivity. The Minister urged students to spend at least 30 minutes daily learning about government schemes and leveraging available opportunities.
The Science and Technology Minister also shared that after his guidance an MoU has been signed between AIIMS, IIIM, IIT, IIM, GMC Jammu for sharing co-guide for Postgraduate students for integrated research.
During the festival, Dr. Jitendra Singh visited 45 startup stalls, engaging with budding entrepreneurs and students showcasing their innovations. He applauded their efforts in contributing to India’s startup ecosystem and encouraged them to continue innovating.
The National Startup Festival 2025 is a step toward making Jammu & Kashmir a hub of innovation, self-reliance, and economic empowerment.
