Special Session on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Held at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University
Raipur (thestates.news) | A special session and panel discussion on “The Role of Youth in Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Innovation and Entrepreneurship” was organized today at Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, under “Swavalambi Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) campaign. The event, conducted by the University’s Institute Innovation Council (IIC), saw the participation of Higher Education Minister Shri Tank Ram Verma as the Chief Guest. Dr. S. Bhartidasan, Secretary, Higher Education Department, along with university officials, faculty members and a large number of students, attended the programme.
The objective of the event was to strengthen the culture of innovation, start-ups and entrepreneurship among students, thereby enabling them to play an active role in India’s mission of self-reliance. Experts, university representatives and speakers associated with the innovation ecosystem shared their insights during the session.
In his address, Minister Shri Verma said that the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, can be realized through the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit of the youth. He emphasized that the use of indigenous products forms the economic backbone of a self-reliant nation. Recalling the COVID-19 period, he noted that the Prime Minister’s resolve to turn crisis into opportunity enabled India to become the first country in the world to develop its vaccine in homeland.
Calling the youth the torchbearers of national resurgence, Shri Verma said that innovation-led entrepreneurship is not only creating new industries but also paving the way for the effective utilisation of local resources and the creation of new livelihood opportunities.
Highlighting key national initiatives such as Startup India, Make in India, Digital India, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Stand-Up India, the Minister said that these programmes have opened immense possibilities for young innovators. He expressed confidence that India’s youth have the potential to lead the world in fields such as AI, robotics, drones, fintech, agritech and biotechnology.
Shri Verma underlined that true entrepreneurship rests on courage to take risks, clarity of vision and persistent effort. He encouraged students to view failures as valuable learning experiences and to continue moving forward with determination.
Minister Shri Verma also informed the audience that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, several innovation-driven and youth-centric initiatives are being undertaken to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state by 2047. As part of this vision, he announced that all universities will organise a “Run for Swadeshi” on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda Jayanti on January 12. Inspiring the youth, he said that India today needs not only job seekers but job creators — the future of a developed nation rests firmly on the innovation of its young generation.
The programme concluded with detailed guidance for students on start-up development, innovation processes, inspiring entrepreneurial journeys and various government schemes. The IIC urged students to actively engage in innovation and entrepreneurship activities, reaffirming that youth participation is essential for shaping the country’s self-reliant future.
