Emphasizing State Institutions in India’s Innovation Journey
In his special address, Shri Suman Bery highlighted the critical role of state institutions in advancing India’s technological self-reliance and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat. He stressed the need for building R&D and innovation clusters at the state level to translate research into socio-economic impact.
Dr. Maneesha Vinodini, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between academia, industry, and government in shaping effective innovation policies. Prof. Vivek Kumar Singh, Programme Director at NITI Aayog, highlighted that while India has made significant strides in research publications and patents, structured mechanisms are needed to convert knowledge into usable products and services.
Insights from Key Leaders
The workshop was attended by distinguished figures including Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, and Prof. Lalnilawma, Minister for Rural Development, Mizoram. Dr. Paul emphasized that R&D must become an ongoing function of governance rather than isolated initiatives, with states acting as co-creators of a resilient national innovation system. Prof. Lalnilawma highlighted the untapped potential of grassroots innovations, advocating for a shift from a beneficiary-driven model to a partnership-based approach that empowers communities to actively contribute to innovation.
Dr. Vinod Kumar Singh, President of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), and Dr. Shri R. Ramanan, former Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, shared their perspectives on strengthening the science and innovation ecosystem. They called for robust linkages between research institutions, industry clusters, startups, and public-sector applications to ensure seamless translation from research to deployment.
Key Discussions and Outcomes
Participants engaged in technical sessions covering topics such as enhancing synergies in state innovation ecosystems, empowering State S&T Councils, linking grassroots innovation with policy, and innovation governance and performance benchmarking. Leaders from DST, CSIR, ICMR, and industry partners contributed insights on creating scalable and sustainable impact from research and innovation initiatives.
The workshop concluded with a consensus on embedding R&D within state missions, institutionalizing innovation governance, and transforming states from implementers to co-creators in the national innovation ecosystem. Strengthened state-level R&D, coupled with partnerships and local knowledge, is poised to drive inclusive and sustainable innovation-led growth in India.
