After 'Make in India', focus now on 'Start-up India'

From a Correspondent

JORHAT, January 25: Minister of State for Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, YS Chowdary landed on Monday in Jorhat. The Minister is on a two-day visit to CSIR-NEIST (North East Institute of Science and Technology) to take stock of the progress and development of various programmes and to interact with entrepreneurs on a one-to-one level. The visit is being considered as a step towards enhancing and issue of directives to the CSIR – NEIST team of researchers to work with dedication and contribute more scientifically to realize Prime Minister rendra Modi’s dream of ‘Make in India’.

Talking to The Sentinel, MoS YS Chowdary said, “I came here basically to review and give them proper direction to further improve the working environment and see that the local people are benefitted. In addition to this, the Prime Minister has launched the special focus mission for Northeast region development which is very clear that development activities have not been taking place at the right speed which the Prime Minister was expecting. And hence the Prime Minister had instructed every minister to go, study whatever best we can do and what can be improved. So as part of that mission, I am here and I have decided to come again and again. The idea is to see that the entire potential is explored because the entire region is full of tural resources that can enhance growth of biotechnology products.”

“The people are very friendly and if we support them in their entrepreneurial activities, we can create a field for the north-eastern people. Though there might be some issues of infrastructural projects but the Government of India is committed to bring in a change.  One may remember that on January 16 our PM has unveiled a project for entrepreneurship programme called ‘Start-up India’ to develop and encourage more and more entrepreneurs to give jobs rather than seek jobs. That is the main focus and whatever bottlenecks are there, we would like to remove them and if there are anomalies, we would like to straighten them and ensure smooth implementation to improve the happiness index of the people,” he added.

Earlier the Minister, while conversing with jourlists and NEIST scientists in a joint session, stressed more pro-activeness of the entire CSIR people spread across the country as laid down in the clauses of the Dehradun Declaration. “We are guiding them not to spend money and time towards scientist-centric research which has been in the same stage since Independence. Now the thrust is on developing rural and grassroots technologies for the common man,” said the minister.

Also present in the meeting were Member of Parliament of Jorhat constituency Kamakhya Prasad Tasa and NEIST Director D Ramaiah, besides a host of dignitaries. The Minister is scheduled to attend the Republic Day function in Jorhat before winding his two-day tour of Jorhat.