Digital technology, innovation and patents
Furthermore, attuned to the modern epoch, we have triumphantly hoisted our standard in the realms of digital ingenuity and innovation. Internet consumers have quadrupled. The volume of patents granted has similarly grown fourfold.
Digital transactions have astronomically soared by a factor of one hundred.
Semiconductors
Allow me to furnish an illustration concerning semiconductors. Post-independence, the discourse surrounding semiconductors had already permeated the global stage. We, too, engaged in such deliberations, yet we failed to propel any substantial stratagem for semiconductors. And what is the paradigm today? In our contemporary digital epoch, in today’s technology, we profoundly comprehend the primacy of the microchip. Be it electronic commodities, our sophisticated medical apparatus, or our transportation networks, the microchip is an absolute requisite. And therefore, a predicament has arisen wherein the globe would grind to a halt in the absence of this chip.
Hence, in its trajectory toward self-reliance, India has initiated its own semiconductor facilities; three massive semiconductor plants have commenced operations. And I am apprised that the production emanating from these facilities has already embarked upon the path of exportation. And I wish to proclaim to my compatriots that in the ensuing seven to eight years, an additional five, seven, or eight semiconductor plants shall be inaugurated with utmost dispatch. This self-reliant India furnishes us with the grand thoroughfare leading towards a developed nation.
Critical minerals
An analogous discourse is presently unfolding regarding critical minerals. The entirety of modern technology is contingent upon critical minerals. India is vigorously engaged in fortifying its security in this domain as well. To ensure the objectives regarding critical minerals are shared, we have inaugurated the National Critical Mineral initiative. In our fiscal budget, we have heralded the creation of a Critical Mineral Corridor. Agreements are being and have been forged with numerous nations. A multitude of countries across the globe have now begun to place their trust in India concerning the domain of critical minerals.
Advanced technology, AI and data centres
Akin to the discourse on semiconductors, or critical minerals, as we, and indeed the world – navigate towards advanced technologies, the pre-eminence of energy continues to magnify. Governing this new epoch devoid of energy is now an insurmountable challenge. And therefore, whether it be for microchips, artificial intelligence, or colossal data centres, our requisite for electricity shall be astronomical. Energy security is the absolute imperative of our times. Therefore, we have pre-emptively undertaken a succession of formidable strides in that trajectory.
Nuclear technology and Fast Breeder Nuclear Technology
A paramount conduit for energy security is atomic power, or nuclear energy. By legislating the Peace Act in Parliament, we have delineated the pathway towards a novel objective. By 2047, we are traversing with the aspiration of achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear power. Within this very decade, we are harboring the ambition to commission five novel nuclear reactors. This year, India traversed a pivotal milestone by mastering Fast Breeder Nuclear Technology. Consequently, we have etched a monumental triumph in our trajectory towards absolute self-reliance in nuclear fuel.
Technology and innovation — Saptadhara
The tertiary power of this Saptadhara is technology and innovation. My esteemed compatriots, today, is the epoch of artificial intelligence. Of quantum mechanics. Of space exploration. Of robotics. Of colossal data centres. An entirely novel frontier has been unsealed. And emerging technologies are perpetually, moment by moment, challenging us. Therefore, the nation must not merely relegate itself as a market for the world. We must ascend as the quintessential hub of innovation. In UPI and Digital Public Infrastructure, we have already compelled the world to acknowledge our mettle.
We have introduced our formidable might. Now, India must propagate Digital Public Technologies to the furthest reaches of the globe. India must lead in next-generation communication technology. Made-in-India 6G must permeate every corner; this must be our resolute ambition. We must accelerate our strides herein, and our endeavours in this domain must be unyielding.
Defence technology and cybersecurity
Our quinary power, of the Saptadhara, is Raksha Shakti (Defence Power). And the eminence of this defence power is absolute in every respect. My esteemed compatriots, attaining self-reliance in defence – India has now apprehended, and the world has witnessed, that there is no alternative to this. When the world is singularly obsessed with its own insular interests, India cannot merely subsist as a consumer market for the globe. We must achieve absolute autarky in the realm of defence. By developing next-generation defence technologies, we must march with the definitive objective of emerging as a global supplier. We must cultivate drone, and counter-drone systems. And in hypersonic defence technologies, we must unequivocally seize the leadership mantle. Comrades, cyber security is rapidly becoming a formidable menace for every household today. That, too, constitutes a critical theater of defense, wherein the prodigious prowess of our youth can be masterfully deployed for the fortification of our nation and the world.
Green and blue economy technologies
Our senary power of the Saptadhara is the green economy. The blue economy, which simultaneously spawns green jobs. Green hydrogen, renewable energy, energy storage, green mobility, green manufacturing – on a global scale, we must conquer these domains. While the world perpetually deliberates upon global warming, we are actively unearthing pathways. We are furnishing tangible solutions to these crises. And India must helm this green movement with monumental vigour. India possesses boundless opportunities for the blue economy as well. We boast an extraordinarily expansive coastline. The blue economy offers magnificent prospects. Fisheries. Coastal tourism. Ocean technology. There are a multitude of such spheres wherein we can ascend to prominence.
Innovation, research, startups and technology ecosystem
Through the Startup India crusade, today, across the length and breadth of the nation, over two and a half lakh registered startups have materialized.
A 1 lakh crore rupee innovation fund has been heralded by the Government of India. I wish to declare to the young men of this nation: bring forth your grandest dreams! We shall ensure no paucity of resources. 1 lakh crore rupees—to empower your intellect and imagination, such an infrastructure we have meticulously established. Novel avenues for research have emerged. The Digital India initiative’s new, economical data has profoundly empowered our youth. If economical data exists anywhere on the globe, it is upon Indian soil. And this has bestowed unprecedented vigour upon the nation’s youth. We have instituted Skill India as a national programme. We have unsealed the space sector. We have formulated a National Drone Policy.
Atal Tinkering Labs and early exposure to innovation
That the young minds of our nation be captivated by technology from their very infancy, we are laboring in that direction; thus, we have entrusted over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to the care of our young children, so that their intellect may be steeped in innovation and technology.
Private space sector and space technology
For our youth over 12 years of age, we have unlocked myriad pathways. We have completely unsealed the startup ecosystem. As you may have observed, India’s private startups, helmed by youth averaging a mere 28 years of age, have successfully launched their satellite on their very first attempt globally! And they launched a rocket! They have executed a monumental feat, comrades! Today, there are roughly over two and a half lakh registered startups. Recently, we convened the AI Impact Summit.
Artificial Intelligence and AI skilling
The expansion of artificial intelligence is accelerating at a blistering pace. From the Red Fort, I wish to make a proclamation for the youth of our nation. We have resolved that in the impending year, we shall undertake the colossal task of providing AI skill training to 1 crore youths. So that the youth of our nation possess the formidable capability to lead even in the realm of AI.
Bioeconomy
My esteemed compatriots, the bio economy is a pristine frontier. There was an epoch, prior to 2014, when the bio economy commanded a mere 60,000 crore rupees.
Behold the marvels the youth of my nation have wrought! When policies are righteous, when the objective is crystalline, observe the phenomenons the youth of my nation actualize! In the bio economy, the nation’s youth power has exhibited its supreme prowess. The enterprise that stood at 60,000 crores before 2014, today, that very bio economy has breached the 20 lakh crore mark, my friends!
Drone technology and SVAMITVA
My comrades, drones, too, have executed monumental tasks. Through the SVAMITVA scheme in our villages, using drones, the SVAMITVA scheme is attaining glorious fruition. Approximately 3.25 crore families have reaped the dividends of the SVAMITVA scheme. And consequently, assets worth a staggering 140 lakh crore rupees have been unlocked. Enabling citizens to secure bank loans and embark upon their entrepreneurial ventures.
Digital Public Infrastructure and technology-enabled education
We possess Digital Public Infrastructure, we possess paramount talent, exceptional educators; by amalgamating these resources, we are poised to construct an expansive network to dispense free coaching to the youth of the nation.
Technology and STEM education
Moreover, the most profound beneficiary of a developed India is indeed the youth of my nation. And therefore, we must advance the objective of a developed India by inextricably linking it with our youth. With our youth as our absolute, supreme priority, we must march forward. Comrades, over the past 10-12 years, tremendous strides have been taken in that direction.
That the young minds of our nation be captivated by technology from their very infancy, we are laboring in that direction; thus, we have entrusted over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs to the care of our young children, so that their intellect may be steeped in innovation and technology.
Indigenous semiconductor R&D / manufacturing workforce
To gauge the sheer might of my daughters, I recently visited Sanand, to a semiconductor plant.
There, indigenous daughters, daughters who had migrated from disparate corners of the nation, were employed. They hailed from villages where they were completely oblivious to what a passport even entailed. Those daughters traveled abroad, acquired rigorous training, and today, they are executing the intricate task of microchip fabrication. And the supreme confidence—the confidence I witnessed in them—I was, in absolute truth, profoundly mesmerized.
Census and digital technology
Today I must ask of your help with a task, and I ask this from all of you, especially the youth, to take the lead. Just one or two hours of your time will give great strength to the country. As we speak, the nation is going through the procedures of census counting. Counting alone doesn’t achieve results with just figures — policies and plans are made from its nuances, and the country prepares its roadmap for moving forward. That is why having accurate information is very important.
Sometimes the representatives who come from the government are in a hurry, and mistakes happen with spellings or details, which creates difficulties in getting the final results right. Now that the technology is available, a decision has been made that this time that you can fill in your own information for the census yourself, using your mobile phone. Later, an officer or representative from the Census bureau will come to discuss it with you, but if you sit with your family and complete your registration digitally, there will be no mistakes in the details or spellings. The more accurate the information you provide, the more it will help the country move forward.
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