Youth must channel energy and innovation towards making India self-reliant, says Dubey
Pune: Union minister of state for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey on Thursday said the intelligence, energy and innovative potential of the country’s youth would play a crucial role in realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. Speaking at the inauguration of the three-day national conference on technology and innovation, ‘AWTIS 2026’, organised by Aryans Group of Companies at Hotel Vivanta, Hinjewadi, Dubey said India’s progress in science, technology and green energy was accelerating the country’s journey towards self-reliance.
The government is working towards the vision of a developed India by 2047, and initiatives such as Make in India are helping achieve this objective,” Dubey said. “If reactors required for biofuel production are manufactured domestically, India can save around Rs 100 crore per reactor. An imported reactor costs around Rs 135 crore,” he said.
He said India was moving towards self-reliance across sectors, from manufacturing everyday products and shipbuilding to semiconductors and advanced batteries. Padma Bhushan awardee and green energy and biofuel expert Dr Jyeshtharaj Joshi said India had significant potential in biomass, biofuels and green energy. He said technology-driven initiatives could generate employment, improve public services and promote inclusive development. ISRO deputy director Navalkishore Gupta said the organisation of a national conference focusing on green energy and biofuels by a private-sector company was a “forward-looking and commendable initiative”.
“The responsibility of thinking and acting towards making India self-reliant in various sectors rests significantly with the younger generation. Improved road connectivity, healthcare, education and basic infrastructure had also helped bridge the gap between urban and rural areas, he added. Dubey urged young researchers and innovators to contribute their ideas, skills and energy towards research and development of indigenous, export-oriented products. Union minister of state for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu, addressing the conference through video conferencing, stressed the need to adopt modern technology not only in industry but also in the social, cultural and economic sectors. He emphasised the growing importance of hydrogen as a fuel, particularly in the space sector.