NITI Aayog Hosts National Workshop on Innovation at GIFT City

25 Mar 2025 CW Team

Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog, and Smt. Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Gujarat, led the discussions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement. Dr. Saraswat emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the government, academia, and industry, focusing on translational research, DeepTech startups, and shifting India's industry from a service-based to a product-driven model.

Smt. Mona Khandhar highlighted Gujarat’s progressive innovation policies, including the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, Semiconductor Policy, Electronics Policy, and the Global Capability Center (GCC) Policy, aimed at bolstering the state’s startup ecosystem.

Dr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent from WIPO outlined India's growing intellectual property (IP) landscape, emphasising the rise in patent filings and the country's potential to develop new S&T clusters in the coming decade.

The workshop featured several expert-led panel discussions, including:

"Bharat Innovates: National Innovation Ecosystem" – Moderated by Dr. R. Ramanan, Former MD, Atal Innovation Mission.
"Navachar Niti aur Rajya Yojnaayein" – A session on state-level innovation policies, chaired by Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Head, NCSTC, DST, Government of India.
"Navachar Ke Sarathi: Pioneering Innovations" – A session showcasing grassroots innovators and startups, moderated by Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director, National Innovation Foundation (NIF).
"Vishwa Mein Ubharta Bharat: Strengthening India’s Global Innovation Footprint" – Featuring contributions from Dr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent (WIPO) and Dr. Rajul Gajjar (Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University).

The conference concluded with a strategic discussion on India's innovation roadmap, led by Dr. V.K. Saraswat alongside senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Gujarat State Government, and the Former DG of CSIR. The closing remarks underscored Gujarat’s pivotal role in shaping India’s innovation-driven future through strong policies, R&D investment, and a robust startup ecosystem.

(PIB)

In a major push to strengthen India's innovation ecosystem, NITI Aayog, in collaboration with the Gujarat Council on Science & Technology (GUJCOST), organised a National Workshop on “Building Synergies in Indian Innovation Ecosystem” at GIFT City, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on March 22, 2025. The event brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, startup founders, and international representatives, to foster dialogue on R&D investments, state innovation policies, global trends, and grassroots entrepreneurship. Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (Science & Technology), NITI Aayog, and Smt. Mona Khandhar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, Gujarat, led the discussions, reinforcing the government’s commitment to innovation and technological advancement. Dr. Saraswat emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between the government, academia, and industry, focusing on translational research, DeepTech startups, and shifting India's industry from a service-based to a product-driven model. Smt. Mona Khandhar highlighted Gujarat’s progressive innovation policies, including the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy, Semiconductor Policy, Electronics Policy, and the Global Capability Center (GCC) Policy, aimed at bolstering the state’s startup ecosystem. Dr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent from WIPO outlined India's growing intellectual property (IP) landscape, emphasising the rise in patent filings and the country's potential to develop new S&T clusters in the coming decade. The workshop featured several expert-led panel discussions, including: Bharat Innovates: National Innovation Ecosystem – Moderated by Dr. R. Ramanan, Former MD, Atal Innovation Mission. Navachar Niti aur Rajya Yojnaayein – A session on state-level innovation policies, chaired by Dr. Rashmi Sharma, Head, NCSTC, DST, Government of India. Navachar Ke Sarathi: Pioneering Innovations – A session showcasing grassroots innovators and startups, moderated by Dr. Arvind Ranade, Director, National Innovation Foundation (NIF). Vishwa Mein Ubharta Bharat: Strengthening India’s Global Innovation Footprint – Featuring contributions from Dr. Sacha Wunsch-Vincent (WIPO) and Dr. Rajul Gajjar (Vice Chancellor, Gujarat Technological University). The conference concluded with a strategic discussion on India's innovation roadmap, led by Dr. V.K. Saraswat alongside senior officials from NITI Aayog, the Gujarat State Government, and the Former DG of CSIR. The closing remarks underscored Gujarat’s pivotal role in shaping India’s innovation-driven future through strong policies, R&D investment, and a robust startup ecosystem. (PIB)

Infrastructure Transport

16 Sep 2025

Metro Line 2B Phase 1 to Boost Realty in Mumbai’s Eastern Suburbs

Mumbai’s real estate sector is set for a major boost as Phase 1 of Metro Line 2B, between Mandale and Diamond Garden, nears completion. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has confirmed that mandatory rectifications are done, and inspections by the Commissioner of Metro Railway Safety (CMRS) have been carried out. The 5.39-km stretch with five stations forms part of the larger DN Nagar–Mandale corridor, designed to ease congestion and improve east–west connectivity. Passenger operations are expected by December 2025, with the full line slated for 2027. ..

Resources

16 Sep 2025

WattPower wins Best Inverter award at Global Solar Expo 2025

WattPower, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, has won the award for “Best Inverter in the Utility Segment” at the Global Solar Expo 2025. The recognition underscores the company’s commitment to delivering reliable, high-performance and future-ready solar solutions for large-scale projects. At the forefront of utility-scale solar, WattPower manufactures advanced string inverters that directly feed power into the Indian grid. With robust technology, high-quality components and comprehensive product lifecycle support, its solutions stand among the most sophisticated in the ..

Real Estate

16 Sep 2025

Awfis delivers 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub for eBay in Bengaluru

Awfis Space Solutions, India’s largest flexible workspace provider and the first publicly listed workspace solutions platform, has partnered with eBay to establish a 67,000 sq. ft. innovation hub at Embassy Tech Village, Bengaluru. The mandate covers design, build and management of the new office, which will act as a strategic hub supporting diverse functions and accelerating eBay’s AI-first commerce strategy. The centre will focus on artificial intelligence, engineering, product development and applied research, strengthening eBay’s growth in India. Embassy Tech Village, North Beng..