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VISION Portal
Context:
The Union Minister inaugurated the “Viksit Bharat Initiative for Student Innovation and Outreach Network” (VISION).
VISION Initiative:
- The initiative aimed at fostering education, skill development, and innovation among underprivileged children, making it accessible to all students, regardless of their background.
- The initiative seeks to democratise startup skills and provide mentorship and training to students, particularly from remote areas, bridging gaps in education and opportunities.
- It acts as a gateway for underprivileged students to learn about innovation and entrepreneurship.
- The significance of initiatives like VISION in achieving India’s goals under Vision India 2047, which aims to position India as a global leader in technology, education, and economic growth.
India’s Startup Ecosystem:
- India’s startup ecosystem has grown from around 350-400 startups in 2014 to over 1.67 lakh today, making India the third-largest startup hub globally.
- The Minister also highlighted success stories like lavender farming startups in Jammu and Kashmir, showing that startups can thrive in diverse fields like agriculture, space, and biotechnology.
- Biotechnology and Regional Innovation: The Bio-E3 policy focuses on applying biotechnology for economic growth, employment, and environmental sustainability. India’s biotech startups have grown from 50 in 2014 to nearly 9,000 today.
Success Stories:
- Technology as a Bridge Between Urban and Rural India: Students from remote areas, who often lack access to libraries or coaching centres, have successfully cracked exams like the IITs and Civil Services using only smartphones.
- This is a testament to how initiatives like VISION can fuel a revolution in education, innovation, and skill development, particularly for those with limited resources.
- Public-Private Partnerships and Industry Linkages for the Sustainability of Startups: India’s first private rocket manufacturing startup, which has now set up a unit in Hyderabad, is a success story of collaboration between the government and private sector.
- National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: The flexibility of the NEP allows students to combine subjects and pursue unconventional career paths.
- The freedom offered by NEP ensures students are no longer limited by traditional subject choices and fosters innovation and new career opportunities.
