StartUp Movement in India Picks Up Significantly: Dr. Jitendra Singh

Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the StartUp movement in India has gained substantial momentum over the past decade, primarily due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative ‘Start-up India Stand-up India.’ Addressing the valedictory function of the 2-day National StartUp Conference RASE 2024 at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Srinagar, the Union Minister emphasized the change in mindset and exploration of regional resources as key factors for the growth of StartUps in Jammu & Kashmir.

Dr. Singh recalled that at the inception of the ‘Start-up India Stand-up India’ initiative, the country had around 350-400 Start-ups. Today, that number has surged to 1.5 lakh, positioning India as the third-largest StartUp ecosystem globally. He noted that in earlier years, the StartUp movement had not progressed at the same pace in some regions, particularly Jammu & Kashmir, where government jobs have traditionally been the main source of livelihood.

“It is important to create awareness that employment does not mean only government jobs and that some Start-up avenues may be more lucrative compared to salaried government positions,” Dr. Singh remarked. He stressed the need to explore regional resources, noting that the agriculture sector should be the primary focus for StartUps in Jammu & Kashmir, rather than just the IT sector.

Highlighting the success of the Aroma Mission, Dr. Singh mentioned the ‘Purple Revolution,’ which originated from the small towns of Bhaderwah and Gulmarg. This initiative, focused on lavender farming, has gained nationwide attention and was even featured in the 26 January parade in New Delhi. Approximately 5,000 young individuals have ventured into lavender farming as agricultural StartUps, generating substantial income. This success has inspired some corporate sector employees to leave their jobs and pursue lavender farming.

The Aroma Mission’s success has been emulated by other states, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and some Northeastern states. Dr. Singh suggested that Jammu & Kashmir could further explore StartUps in floriculture, handicrafts, horticulture, and textiles, with support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and other initiatives.

One of the critical factors for StartUp success is the integration of academia, research, and industry. Dr. Singh called for collaboration among various institutions in Jammu & Kashmir, including CSIR, IIT, IIM, AIIMS, SKIMS, SKUAST, NIT, and Government Medical Colleges, to embark on joint StartUp ventures. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Science and Technology’s commitment to supporting StartUps.

“The synergy between academia, research, and industry will be a significant catalyst for the success of StartUps in the region,” Dr. Singh concluded.