Speaking at the 56th annual convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay (IIT-B) on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the IITs have helped India emerge as a global brand. Describing IITs as 'India's Instrument for Transformation', PM Modi said innovation and new technology will decide the future direction of development in which prestigious institutions such as IITs will play important role. He announced that the Government has decided to grant Rs 1000 crore grant to the IITs.
"Innovation is the buzz-word of 21st century. Any society that does not innovate will stagnate. That India is a emerging as a hub for start-ups shows the thirst for innovation. We must make India the most attractive destination for innovation and enterprise," PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that India is now looked upon as a nursery of unicorn start-ups (worth more than a billion dollars), for which one of the biggest source of talent in this revolution are the IITs in the country.
"That India is emerging as the hub for start-ups shows the thirst for innovations... We must make India as the most attractive destination for innovations and enterprise," Modi added.
"We must build on this... It will not happen only through government efforts but by youngsters here... The best ideas come in their minds and not in government offices," Modi said.
Highlights of PM Modi's speech at IIT-Bombay Convocation:
12:05 pm:
12:03 pm: Let us affirm that the best ideas will come from Indian laboratories and from Indian students, says PM Modi
12:01 pm: My appeal to youngsters is: Innovate in India, Innovate for humanity. From mitigating climate change to ensuring better agricultural productivity, From cleaner energy to water conservation, From combatting malnutrition to effective waste management: PM Modi
11:56 am: This will not happen through Government efforts alone. It will happen through youngsters like you. The best ideas do not come in Government buildings or in fancy offices. They come in campuses like yours, in the minds of youngsters like you, says PM Modi
11:54 am: Innovation is the buzz-word of 21st century. Any society that does not innovate will stagnate. That India is a emerging as a hub for start-ups shows the thirst for innovation. We must make India the most attractive destination for innovation and enterprise: PM Modi
11:50 am: Innovations and Enterprise are going to be the foundation stone for making India a developed economy. A long term sustainable technology-led economic growth is possible on this foundation: PM Modi
11:46 am: IITs today stand for India's Instrument for Tranformation. You have received what can be called the best that our education system has to offer. Students here represent the diversity of India. From different states, speaking different languages, From different backgrounds you merge here in pursuit of knowledge and learning: PM Modi
11:44 am:
11:42 am: The nation is proud of the IITs and what IIT graduates have achieved. The success of IITs led to the creation of engineering colleges around the country. They were inspired by the IITs and this led to India becoming one of the world’s largest pools of technical manpower: PM Modi
11:38 am: IITs have built Brand India globally. IIT students are at the forefront of some of the best startups in India: PM Modi.
11:36 am: I congratulate all the degree holders today. IIT-Bombay was visualised for nation-building. Each student of IIT-Bombay is making the nation proud: PM Modi
11:33 am: We are lucky that we are living in an independent India: PM Modi
11:31 am: PM Modi addressing the 56th convocation of IIT-Bombay.
11:00 am: PM Narendra Modi reaches Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay (IIT-B) to attend its 56th convocation
After the convocation, the PM inaugurated the new building of the department of energy science and engineering, and centre for environmental science and engineering at IIT Bombay.
WATCH: What PM Modi said at IIT-Bombay