Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the ‘Kashmir Expo- Start Up for Livelihood’ today at Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor said that there is a greater need to infuse technology and innovation in rural sector which will produce better quality of life and enhance the socio-economic development.
Emphasizing that innovation is about people rather than ideas, the Lt Governor underscored that in order to transform an idea into commercial product, we need to provide right environment and opportunity to innovators and Startups entrepreneurs.
Asserting that the Government is committed to support Startups and help them grow, the Lt Governor said we want to assure aspiring entrepreneurs that all necessary assistance will be provided to make their business dreams a reality.
Incubation centres in J&K’s educational institutions are playing an important role in building and nurturing ideas for Startups, he added.
Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the ecosystem of innovation, start-ups has been strengthened. In just 8 years, India has established 75,000 startups with 50% of them established in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities providing direct employment to 4 lakh youth, the Lt Governor said.
We are third in startup ecosystems globally. In last 2 years, 107 unicorns worth more than $340 billion have been established in the country. Today one out of 10 new unicorns in the world, is being established in India, he further added.
Noting that Youth has always been integral part of evolving technology, the Lt Governor observed that the potential ideas and new Startups will contribute not only to economic growth and productive diversification, but also to sustainable and inclusive development.
Technological progress is growing at an exponential rate and the adoption time for commercialized technologies has been considerably reduced. This is having a direct impact on the society and business ecosystem. Whether its businesses or educational institutions, they have to innovate and adopt new technologies to stay relevant in the future, the Lt Governor further emphasized.
In this Amrit Kaal Khand, it is the collective responsibility of all of us to fully support the enterprise and determination of our youth, our entrepreneurs in the making of a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
The Lt Governor complimented the Department of Science and Technology for organizing the three-day “Kashmir Expo – Start up for Livelihood” and congratulated all stakeholders associated with this event.
The Lt Governor appreciated two innovative products- Saffron Sowing Machine and Seed Sowing Machine from NIT Srinagar and stressed on the necessity of having excellent coordination between the industry, academia and society for the success of both the products.
Highlighting the immense potential for startups in rural sector, the Lt Governor said that in the last two-three years, many youths of Jammu Kashmir have implemented impressive ideas such as the apple grading machine, strawberry plucker etc. and successfully used them in agriculture, horticulture sectors.
The Lt Governor further said that 15 youths from each panchayat were provided support for becoming entrepreneurs and 20 youths were given skill development opportunities during the recently concluded Back-to-Village program this month.
Dr Rajesh S. Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology highlighted the significance of the Kashmir Expo in providing a platform for the youth to develop their ideas into startups.
Sh Saurabh Bhagat, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Science & Technology Department, informed that the Department is supporting more than 120 research projects across different Universities and Colleges of J&K. We are also providing scholarships and seed money for nurturing innovation, he added.
Sh Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, Department of Science and Technology (DST) delivered the welcome address and Dr. Vipin Kumar, Director, National Innovation Foundation presented the Vote of Thanks.
Prof Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor, University of Kashmir; Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K; Prof Farooq Ahmad Shah, VC, Central University of Kashmir; Prof. Qayyum Hussain, VC, Cluster University Srinagar; Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, VC, IUST; Sh Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Dr Anita Gupta, Advisor & Head NSTEDB, DST; besides students, innovators and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.
Lt Governor visits Jhiri Mela; pays obeisance at Baba Jitto shrine
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today visited Jhiri Mela and paid obeisance at Baba Jitto shrine.
The 10-day long annual event to commemorate the martyrdom of Baba Jitto & Bua Kodi is witnessing congregation of lakhs of people from different parts of the country especially Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and UP.
Addressing a huge gathering, the Lt Governor threw light on the life and sacrifice of Baba Jitto.
Supreme sacrifice made by Baba Jitto is exemplary for each one of us to emulate. Our farmers are a symbol of hard work and dignity. An enlightened society should ensure justice to the community, which is playing a vital role in serving and nurturing humanity, said the Lt Governor.
Jhiri Mela symbolizes cultural unity of India and the tradition tied in the thread of social values provides an opportunity to the people to learn about our heritage, culture, art and craft, observed the Lt Governor.
It is heartening to see that this year’s Mela is being organized on a larger scale to encourage tourism in the region and to showcase the life and philosophy of Baba Jitto, added the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor underlined the importance of government-public partnership in the development process. “We must focus on community driven development. Locals, PRIs members and other stakeholders of the society should come together to create an institutional mechanism to improve the facilities for devotees visiting this historical Mela,” he said.
The Lt Governor said that the UT Government is working with a strong resolve to ensure that every individual gets equal rights, equal opportunities and every stakeholder to be a partner in J&K’s development journey.
J&K will progress when our farmers prosper. Dr Mangala Rai-led Apex Committee on Agriculture provides a comprehensive solution for upliftment of the farming community and we are making efforts to implement the suggestions with the necessary institutional mechanism and support, added the Lt Governor.
Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji has given a new resolution to the country that is to restore the pride of our heritage, our culture. The golden opportunity of the next 25 years is before us. Our youth must contribute to strengthen social and cultural unity for rapid development, he further added.
Sh Jugal Kishore Sharma, Member Parliament, speaking on the occasion underscored the efforts of the government to develop Agriculture and allied sectors, empowering the farming community and increasing farmers’ income.
Sh. Bharat Bhushan, Chairman DDC Jammu also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of the Jhiri Mela.
Ms Avny Lavasa, Deputy Commissioner Jammu briefed on the elaborate arrangements made to facilitate the visiting devotees; awareness campaigns for government schemes & Nasha Mukt and Swachhta campaigns being run, besides sports and culture activities organized during the Jhiri Mela. Till date, more than six lakh devotees have already visited this year’s Jhiri mela, she informed.
During his visit, the Lt Governor inspected the stalls put up by the departments showcasing the local agriculture produce.
Best performing government departments and winners of various competitions were also felicitated. Cultural performance and nukkad natak presented by the artists generated awareness against drug addiction.
Sh Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Sh Ramesh Kumar, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Sh Vivek Gupta, DIG; Sh Sukhnandan Choudhary, former Minister, DDC & BDC members, PRI representatives, and people in large numbers were present on the occasion.
Lt Governor addresses 47th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today addressed the 47th Annual Conference of Indian Society of Blood Transfusion & Immunohaematology– Transcon-2022 B.
The three-day conference is being organised by ISBTI J&K Chapter and PG Department of Immunohaematology & Transfusion Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu.
The Lt Governor congratulated the organizers for bringing together Transfusion Medicine specialists, eminent faculty, experts, and multiple stakeholders from across the country to discuss current trends, recent advances, and future challenges in Transfusion Medicine.
“One drop of blood covers entire health universe and I am confident such deliberations will enable stakeholders to refine blood transfusion services in the country”, said the Lt Governor.
Observing that our ongoing health research is more focused on reactionary treatment and share of diagnostic research is negligible, the Lt Governor said, we have a huge responsibility to transform the ongoing medical research system and long term investment should be made for developing diagnostic kits.
According to statistics, one out of every fourth person needs blood transfusion at some point in their life and in every two seconds someone in our country needs blood transfusion, the Lt Governor observed.
There is no greater service to humanity than saving a precious life. We need to educate and encourage people for Voluntary blood donation, he added.
Speaking on the reforms introduced in J&K’s health sector in the past three years, the Lt Governor said that under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister, consistent efforts are being made to create better health infrastructure, resources, and reaching out to every citizen of the UT with quality and affordable health care services.
Two AIIMS, two cancer institutes, seven new medical colleges, 15 new nursing colleges, and thousands of health and wellness centers, besides universal health insurance coverage for up to Rs. Five lakhs under the revolutionary Ayushman Bharat-SEHAT scheme and decentralized health system have ensured that the people of J&K who were deprived of basic health services for decades, now have easy access to the best health care facilities, the Lt Governor added.
Dr. TR Raina, Organizing Chairman, Transcon 2022, while speaking on the occasion highlighted the aims and objectives behind the National Conference. He shared the vision of ISBTI to achieve 100% Voluntary Blood Donation.
During the inaugural session, experts and eminent speakers gave their views on blood donation and blood transfusion. A souvenir of the Tanscon-2022 B was also released.
Renowned companies like Wrig Nanosystems, Meril and Immucor also participated in the conference.
Sh Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Sh. Bhupinder Kumar, Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education; Dr Shakti Gupta, Director, AIIMS Jammu; Dr. Shashi Sudan, Principal, GMC Jammu; Dr. Yudhveer Singh, President ISBTI; Dr. Sangeeta Pathak, Secretary General, ISBTI; Dr Meena Sidhu, Head, PG Department of Transfusion Medicine, GMC Jammu, faculty members, doctors, scientists, medical students, nursing staff were present.
