logo
India is leading world in finding solutions to global challenges due to its youth: Lok Sabha Speaker Birla at IIT Jodhpur

India is leading world in finding solutions to global challenges due to its youth: Lok Sabha Speaker Birla at IIT Jodhpur

India Gazette4 hours ago

New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla said that India is leading the world in finding solutions to global challenges by virtue of the talent and capability of its youth.
He said that India's youth has played a great role in the country's social, economic and technological development and exhorted them to use the latest technology and innovation for the betterment of the country.
Speaking at an event at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur, on Monday, Birla said that India is advancing on the global stage by harnessing the dual strengths of modern science and its rich spiritual heritage.
He observed that India's youth today is progressing towards becoming job provider rather than job seeker and IITs have played an important role in this transformation. Graduates from IITs have played important role in strengthening the start-up eco-system in the country, reinforcing economic development, he noted.
He added that there is a huge demand of Indian youth, brimming with skill and innovative ideas, across the globe. He urged that the youth of India should become active stakeholders in country's journey on the path of 'Viksit Bharat'.
On the occasion, Birla inaugurated the state-of-the-art Lecture Hall Complex-II of IIT, Jodhpur.
Lok Sabha Speaker emphasised that the nation's progress lies in the harmonious integration of cutting-edge technology with timeless values rooted in its spiritual traditions. This balanced approach, he noted, not only fuels innovation and development but also ensures that growth remains ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. By drawing upon both scientific knowledge and spiritual wisdom, India is charting a unique path toward holistic national advancement.
On this note, Birla also highlighted India's success in achieving self-reliance in various fields - from manufacturing toys to defence equipment. Such endeavours, combined with the digital ecosystem of India, have given a 'significant boost to our resolve for an Atmanirbhar Bharat,' stressed Birla.
Lauding the role of IITs in advancement of technical education in the country, the Lok Sabha Speaker said that every college and university in the country should strive to become a center of innovation and excellence.
He emphasised that higher educational institutions must go beyond traditional teaching methods and actively foster creativity and problem-solving among students. By encouraging research, entrepreneurship, and collaboration with industry, these institutions can play a pivotal role in driving India's growth in science, technology, and knowledge-based sectors. He added that the students studying at IITs have enhanced the pride of India by combining modern technology with Indian thinking and new perspective.
The Speaker highlighted that academic spaces should not merely be places for rote learning, but vibrant ecosystems where ideas are nurtured, talents are developed, and future leaders are shaped. He called for a renewed focus on quality education, faculty development, and state-of-the-art infrastructure to ensure that Indian colleges and universities are well-equipped to compete on a global stage and contribute meaningfully to national progress.
Referring to the glorious journey of IIT, Jodhpur, Birla opined that the institute with its focused approach and hard work has introduced path breaking initiatives in the fields of global research, innovation and in promoting scientific temper in the society.
IIT Jodhpur has played a transformative role by offering a new perspective to the youth in the desert region of Rajasthan, he said.
The Speaker lauded the visionary leadership of IIT Jodhpur's Director, Prof. Avinash K Agarwal and the Institute's path-breaking initiatives in innovation, defence tech, and sustainable development for vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Lok Sabha Speaker noted that the institute, positioned in a geographically challenging area, has become a beacon of hope and progress, empowering young minds with access to world-class education, cutting-edge research, and innovative thinking.
On this occasion, Birla also distributed 'Research Initiative Grant' at IIT, which will encourage researchers and innovation-related projects. Along with this, he also launched the new official website of the institute and planted a sapling at the campus. (ANI)

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The whole world is closely watching it: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Axiom4
The whole world is closely watching it: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Axiom4

India Gazette

time13 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

The whole world is closely watching it: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Axiom4

Nice [France], June 10 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh spoke about the exclusive missions which will be performed by Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during his Axiom4 space mission. He also mentioned the world recognising India's growth and capabilities and said that this has been possible due to the changes brought in the space sector in recent times. In a video released by the Office of Jitendra Singh, speaking about Gaganyaan mission, he said, 'Gaganyaan is a very ambitious mission as far as ISRO is concerned. The whole world is closely watching it.' He added, 'Gaganyaan will also involve docking and undocking, which will happen in this. Once they go up, it will take about 28 hours, then after 28 hours, it will reach about 400 kilometres from the surface of Earth, which is in American physiology, about 250 miles, and there the docking would happen. They would then enter into the space station. And remain there for a minimum of about two weeks, which could also be extended. So the experience: getting accustomed to that kind of exercise walking into and walking out would also be required in case of Gaganyaan, and also several future experiments, and more so India's own space station. We plan to have our own exclusive space station by 2035, which will be known as Bharat Space Station, and for that also, this experience is going to come in handy.' Speaking about the role which will be performed by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, he said, 'This time, Shubhanshu Shukla is going to play a very important role. He is going to have the most critical role because he will perform experiments which are exclusively going to have a bearing on the future space missions, not only those of India, also of NASA and other agencies. And I'm also glad to mention that it keeps up the spirit of the whole of science and the whole of government, which PM Modi keeps emphasising time and again. We got ISRO involved in an official MoU with the Department of Biotechnology. And as of now, Shubhanshu is scheduled to perform six sets of experiments. A) For example, about life sciences- the physical, physiological, and cognitive effects of being in space for a long while, which would affect the human body.' He added, 'B) of course, the behavioral responses resulting from constant watching of the computer screen which is mandatory for all the astronauts. C) He is also going to experiment on the body's response in extreme conditions. The effect of microgravity on muscle dysfunction and besides that, some plant-related research like how the cyanobacteria behave in microgravity, which could have a bearing on the production of food elements in space in times to come.' He said, 'These are very futuristic experiments which are exclusively assigned to Shubhanshu. Therefore, it's a great breakthrough. This is a moment which would make our founding fathers proud- Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan. India today has reached that pedestal where we are looked upon as not junior partners, not as followers, but as partners who offer cues to others to follow. And this could be possible because of the reorientation of the space reforms, the opening of the space sector to the private players and it could not have been possible without the political will of the government in place.' Union Minister Jitendra Singh thanked PM Modi for his leadership. 'I have to thank PM Modi for he has the cpacity to make out-of-box decisions, break the taboos of the past because for six, seven decades we got conditioned to live with the belief that space has to act behind the veil of secrecy and it is not to be opened up to the private sector. Giving up that mindset, we are now following same global strategies, parameters, in fact, marching ahead of other nations as well.' He elaborated, 'We are now equal partners. The decision to have an Astronaut from India was taken and the offer was made to India incidentally when PM Modi was on a visit to Washington DC when President Biden was in place. So you can see there is also a reflection of the recognition of the Indian capabilities, Indian human resource, which is quite a departure from the earlier times when the capabilities of Indians were not taken seriously. That perception about India has also undergone a change.' The Axiom-4 mission launch has been postponed to June 11, 2025, due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that the mission, carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station (ISS), will now lift off at 5:30 PM IST on June 11. ISRO wrote on X, 'Launch of Axiom-4 mission to International Space Station: Due to weather conditions, the launch of Axiom-4 mission for sending Indian Gaganyatri to International Space Station is postponed from 10th June 2025 to 11th June 2025. The targeted time of launch is 5:30 PM IST on 11th June 2025: Dr V Narayanan, Chairman ISRO/ Secretary DOS / Chairman Space Commission.' Union Minister Jitendra Singh also shared the details in a post on X. He noted that due to adverse weather conditions, the mission has been postponed by a day. He wrote on X, 'Update on Axiom-4 Mission to ISS. Due to adverse weather, the launch of the Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian Gaganyatri to the International Space Station is rescheduled from June 10 to possibly June 11, 2025. Further update, if any, will be accordingly shared. New Launch Date: June 11, 2025 Time: 5:30 PM IST.' The Axiom-4 mission crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation's first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is part of Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission (Ax-4), marking a historic moment for India's space collaboration with NASA. Slawosz Uznanski, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut, will be the second Polish astronaut since 1978. Tibor Kapu will be the second national Hungarian astronaut since 1980. Peggy Whitson will command her second commercial human spaceflight mission, adding to her standing record for the longest cumulative time in space by an American astronaut. (ANI)

EAM Jaishankar interacts with Indian community in Belgium, Luxembourg
EAM Jaishankar interacts with Indian community in Belgium, Luxembourg

India Gazette

time13 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

EAM Jaishankar interacts with Indian community in Belgium, Luxembourg

Brussels [Belgium], June 10 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar interacted with members of the Indian community in Belgium and Luxembourg, discussing the steady progress of India-Belgium ties and its engagement with the European Union. During the interaction, Jaishankar apprised the community of India's efforts to counter terrorism and promote the country's progress and prosperity. Sharing the pictures of the interaction, Jaishankar wrote, 'Great to interact with members of the Indian community of Belgium and Luxembourg. Discussed with them the steady progress of India-Belgium ties and engagement with the EU. Also apprised them of our efforts at countering terrorism and ensuring the progress & prosperity of India.' Notably, Jaishankar began his visit to Belgium on Monday by meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism. He appreciated Belgium's support in combating terrorism, welcomed their solidarity, and emphasised the strong momentum in the India-EU partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals. Jaishankar's visit to Brussels comes three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. The recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, discussed key areas such as labor migration, pharmaceuticals, defense, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy. Interestingly, Jaishankar's visit coincides with the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a jail in Belgium. Choksi, accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in mid-April on India's extradition request. India has an extradition treaty with Belgium, and the government is likely to pursue Choksi's extradition during the EAM's visit. Jaishankar is on an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs announced in a press release on Sunday. (ANI)

China's rare earth curbs a 'wake-up call' as India builds alternative supply chains: Piyush Goyal
China's rare earth curbs a 'wake-up call' as India builds alternative supply chains: Piyush Goyal

India Gazette

time13 minutes ago

  • India Gazette

China's rare earth curbs a 'wake-up call' as India builds alternative supply chains: Piyush Goyal

Bern [Switzerland], June 10 (ANI): Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described China's rare earth export restrictions as a global 'wake-up call' on Monday, emphasising that India is actively building alternative supply chains while positioning itself as a trusted partner for international businesses seeking to reduce their dependence on Chinese suppliers. Speaking to reporters during his official visit to Switzerland, where he meets with Swiss government officials and business leaders, Goyal acknowledged that China's export curbs will create short-term challenges for India's automotive and white goods sectors. However, he expressed confidence that collaborative efforts between government, industry, and innovators will transform these challenges into long-term opportunities. The minister outlined a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis, including diplomatic engagement through the Indian embassy's ongoing dialogue with Chinese authorities and the commerce ministry's efforts to identify alternative supply sources. The government is also strengthening Indian Rare Earths Limited by providing necessary resources to accelerate domestic production capabilities. 'This situation serves as a wake-up call for all those who have become over-reliant on certain geographies,' Goyal emphasised. 'It's a wake-up call for the whole world that you need trusted partners in your supply chain.' The automotive industry has specifically requested government assistance in expediting approval processes for importing rare earth magnets from China, which are essential components in passenger vehicles and various automotive applications. China's overwhelming control of global rare earth processing - commanding over 90 per cent of the world's magnet production capacity - has created significant vulnerabilities for industries worldwide. These materials are critical across multiple sectors, including automobiles, home appliances, and clean energy systems. The new Chinese restrictions, effective from April 4, require special export licenses for seven specific rare earth elements and their related magnetic products. 'There are clearly issues around the suspension of permanent magnet supplies from China to India, which will particularly affect our auto sector and several white goods manufacturers,' Goyal explained. 'Some companies have submitted their applications, and we hope that pragmatic considerations will prevail and they will receive the necessary approvals.'When questioned about potential government intervention through production-linked incentive schemes, Goyal reported encouraging discussions with automotive manufacturers. The companies have expressed strong confidence in their ability to address these supply chain challenges through partnerships with domestic innovators and startups. 'They are actively engaging with our innovators and startups, indicating they will provide any necessary funding or pricing adjustments to encourage faster rollout and growth of this sector,' the minister noted. He praised the evolving mindset within Indian industry, observing that companies are moving beyond traditional dependence on government subsidies. 'More and more Indian industry is coming out of the old mindset that government subsidies and support alone will run our operations. They are becoming bigger and bolder in their approach.' Goyal highlighted ongoing technological developments that could provide alternative solutions to Chinese rare earth dependencies. 'There are some technologies that India is developing,' he noted, emphasising the collaborative approach involving government, industry, startups, and innovators. 'We are all working as a team and remain confident that while there may be challenges in the short run, we will emerge as winners in the medium to long term,' he stated. The minister viewed the current disruption as presenting strategic opportunities for India's manufacturing ecosystem. He believes it will accelerate recognition of the importance of self-reliance and the value of establishing trustworthy supply chain partnerships. 'There is an opportunity even in this crisis and challenge,' Goyal observed. 'More and more companies, businesses, and people in India will recognise that it is important to be self-reliant and to have trusted partners in supply chains. Increasingly, the world today wants India to be part of their supply chain because we are seen as a trusted partner.' (ANI)

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store