In a major step toward strengthening India’s innovation landscape, NITI Aayog organized a National Workshop on “Building Synergies in Indian Innovation Ecosystem” at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, according to an official statement by NITI Aayog on Saturday. The event was hosted by the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of Gujarat, and aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders in the innovation sector.
The workshop brought together government officials, academic leaders, industrial experts, startup founders, and international representatives to discuss vital topics such as research and development (R&D) investments, state policies on innovation, global trends, and grassroots entrepreneurship. The event underscored the importance of synergy across sectors to drive India’s innovation ecosystem forward.
Dr. V. K. Saraswat, Member (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog, and Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, DST, Government of Gujarat, were among the key dignitaries who attended the workshop. Dr. Saraswat stressed the importance of collaboration between government bodies, academia, and industry in propelling India’s innovation agenda. He highlighted the need for India to transition from a service-based economy to a product-based one and called for greater support for DeepTech startups.
Mona Khandhar, IAS, emphasized Gujarat’s commitment to promoting a robust innovation ecosystem through strategic policies, including the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, Gujarat Semiconductor Policy, and Gujarat Global Capability Center Policy. She noted that the state government’s proactive approach was driving the growth of the startup and innovation landscape.
Dr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) shared a roadmap for India’s innovation journey over the next decade, noting the increase in patent filings of Indian origin and the growth of science and technology clusters in the country.
The workshop featured several interactive discussions led by experts in innovation and technology. Notable sessions included “Bharat Innovates: Overview of the National Innovation Ecosystem,” moderated by Dr. R. Ramanan, Former MD of Atal Innovation Mission, and “Navachar Niti aur Rajya Yojnaayein: Learning from the Best,” chaired by Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Head, NCSTC, DST, Government of India. Another session, “Navachar Ke Sarathi: Pioneering Innovations,” moderated by Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director of the National Innovation Foundation, highlighted inspiring stories of grassroots innovators and startups.
The conference concluded with a discussion on future action plans, led by Dr. Saraswat, alongside senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Gujarat State Government, and the Former DG of CSIR & Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The closing session reiterated Gujarat’s key role in driving innovation, with a focus on the state’s progressive policies, investment in research, and commitment to fostering a startup-friendly ecosystem.
