JULY 29: Satish Sharma, Minister for Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Information Technology, and Transport, inaugurated a key Stakeholders’ Meet on Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) at IIT Jammu. The event was organized jointly by the Northern Region Science & Technology Cluster (PI-RAHI) and the Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKSTIC).
The meeting served as a collaborative platform bringing together leading figures from academia, government, industry, and the startup sector. The goal: to accelerate Jammu and Kashmir’s innovation ecosystem and foster regional development through science and technology.
On the occasion, Minister Sharma launched three major initiatives aimed at boosting grassroots innovation, research, and knowledge sharing in the Union Territory. These included:
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GINI (Grassroot Innovators of Northern India)
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Innovation Ambassadors Program
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SPARK-J&K (Strategic Program for Accelerating Research and Knowledge, J&K)
The Minister emphasized that science, technology, and innovation are foundational to progress and inclusive governance. “The government is committed to nurturing an ecosystem that enables researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to thrive. These new initiatives are a step toward building a smarter, self-reliant Jammu & Kashmir,” he said.
Highlighting the critical role of IT and science in transforming public services, he mentioned their integration in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, food supply, and transport. Sharma called for more robust partnerships between scientific institutions and policymakers to ensure evidence-based decision-making and sustainable growth.
Dr. Parvinder Maini, Scientific Secretary to the Principal Scientific Adviser, Government of India, praised the rapid strides being made in the region’s STI sector. She stressed the importance of cross-sector collaboration to drive impactful innovation.
The event featured technical sessions on AI in governance, agri-tech, sustainable tourism, and waste-to-wealth models. These discussions provided insights into the practical application of science and technology in regional development.
Senior officials including Dr. Nasir Shah (Additional Director, JKSTIC) and Dr. Jatinder Kaur Arora (Advisor, PI-RAHI) highlighted the transformative potential of science-led policy and innovation-led growth.
Faculty from IIT Jammu, SMVDU, SKUAST-K, along with industry experts and startups, reaffirmed their commitment to advancing J&K’s science and innovation goals.
