Minister Lauds IIT Ropar’s Boost to Agri Start-Ups

20 May 2025 CW Team

The minister stated that India’s start-up ecosystem is no longer confined to the IT sector or major cities. He hailed IIT Ropar’s role in nurturing high-potential Agri start-ups by transforming traditional sectors and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “StartUp India, StandUp India” for democratising entrepreneurship.

Dr Singh noted India’s rise in the Global Innovation Index from 81st to 39th position, attributing the success to a surge in science and technology (S&T) start-ups, deep tech innovation, and Agri-tech. He added that under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), 70 per cent of funding would come from non-government sources, promoting stronger public-private collaboration.

He showcased the Purple Revolution—lavender cultivation initiated in Jammu & Kashmir—as an example of grassroots innovation now thriving in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Over 3,000 start-ups, many led by entrepreneurs without degrees, are now profiting from this niche sector,” he said. These ventures, he added, benefit from government support and direct market access to major perfume makers in Mumbai.

Recognising promising ventures under the Investment category, Dr Singh awarded:

Blu Cocoon Digital Pvt. Ltd.
Rezovate Constructions Pvt. Ltd.
Wawe Technologies
Biofield Power Pvt. Ltd.
Karmath Engineering Pvt. Ltd.

Dr Singh also launched several key initiatives during the event:

SPRINT – Haryana and Telangana Editions, to accelerate deep-tech innovation
PRAGATI Report, a strategic roadmap for inclusive innovation
Farming on the Edge Report, a thematic study of issues faced by small and marginal farmers
Office of Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialisation (OITC), aimed at boosting IP creation and monetisation for Indian start-ups

Touching upon India’s tech-enabled military capabilities, Dr Singh cited Operation Sindoor as a milestone in indigenous defence innovation involving both public and private sectors, particularly in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.

Calling for stronger industry-academia linkages, he encouraged students and parents to rethink conventional paths and embrace entrepreneurship. “Early exposure to industry is key to a successful start-up,” he said.

Smt Rekha Sharma, MP and former NCW Chairperson, highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation and greater participation of women in start-ups, while Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST, underscored India’s strategic advances in AI, cyber-physical systems, and other frontier technologies.

Dr Singh concluded, “As India races towards 2047, our foundation rests on innovation, inclusion, and intent—the pillars of our global ascent.”

Union Minister for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, has praised IIT Ropar for its contribution to promoting agricultural start-ups in smaller towns, highlighting the growing spread of innovation beyond India’s metropolitan areas. Speaking at the Pragati Founder Forum, hosted by IIT Ropar and supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Dr Singh celebrated the fact that nearly 50 per cent of India’s start-ups now originate from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns.The minister stated that India’s start-up ecosystem is no longer confined to the IT sector or major cities. He hailed IIT Ropar’s role in nurturing high-potential Agri start-ups by transforming traditional sectors and applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “StartUp India, StandUp India” for democratising entrepreneurship.Dr Singh noted India’s rise in the Global Innovation Index from 81st to 39th position, attributing the success to a surge in science and technology (S&T) start-ups, deep tech innovation, and Agri-tech. He added that under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (NRF), 70 per cent of funding would come from non-government sources, promoting stronger public-private collaboration.He showcased the Purple Revolution—lavender cultivation initiated in Jammu & Kashmir—as an example of grassroots innovation now thriving in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. “Over 3,000 start-ups, many led by entrepreneurs without degrees, are now profiting from this niche sector,” he said. These ventures, he added, benefit from government support and direct market access to major perfume makers in Mumbai.Recognising promising ventures under the Investment category, Dr Singh awarded:Blu Cocoon Digital Pvt. Ltd.Rezovate Constructions Pvt. Ltd.Wawe TechnologiesBiofield Power Pvt. Ltd.Karmath Engineering Pvt. Ltd.Dr Singh also launched several key initiatives during the event:SPRINT – Haryana and Telangana Editions, to accelerate deep-tech innovationPRAGATI Report, a strategic roadmap for inclusive innovationFarming on the Edge Report, a thematic study of issues faced by small and marginal farmersOffice of Intellectual Property & Technology Commercialisation (OITC), aimed at boosting IP creation and monetisation for Indian start-upsTouching upon India’s tech-enabled military capabilities, Dr Singh cited Operation Sindoor as a milestone in indigenous defence innovation involving both public and private sectors, particularly in Bengaluru and Hyderabad.Calling for stronger industry-academia linkages, he encouraged students and parents to rethink conventional paths and embrace entrepreneurship. “Early exposure to industry is key to a successful start-up,” he said.Smt Rekha Sharma, MP and former NCW Chairperson, highlighted the importance of inclusive innovation and greater participation of women in start-ups, while Prof Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of DST, underscored India’s strategic advances in AI, cyber-physical systems, and other frontier technologies.Dr Singh concluded, “As India races towards 2047, our foundation rests on innovation, inclusion, and intent—the pillars of our global ascent.”

Real Estate

08 May 2026

Integrated Waterproofing Strategies

Waterproofing buildings used to be an annual pre-monsoon affair but the evolution of real-estate development has changed that approach. In new developments, developers are weaving waterproofing solutions into both the design and construction phases, an approach that Nikhil Madan, Managing Director, Mahima Group, says, “is all about ensuring lasting durability [of the building] and keeping lifecycle risks including water seepage and extensive maintenance to a minimum.”Watertight by designAluminium formwork systems aren’t commonly thought of as a waterproofing tool but at the Mahima Group,..

Infrastructure Urban

08 May 2026

GROHE Showcases Water-Led Design At Milan

GROHE unveiled its GROHE SPA Aqua Sanctuary at Milan Design Week 2026, transforming Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato into an immersive showcase of water, design and wellbeing. Built on the philosophy of ‘Wellbeing Through Water’, the installation reimagined bathrooms as holistic spaces for relaxation, rejuvenation and self-care.The Aqua Sanctuary was presented through three interconnected sanctums. The first showcased the 3D-printed GROHE SPA AquaTree shower and faucet, highlighting bespoke innovation and biophilic design. The second featured the Atrio Private Collection and GROHE SPA x Buster..

Infrastructure Transport

08 May 2026

Rahee Group Expands Rail Manufacturing Capacity

Rahee Group has outlined a multi-year investment roadmap to expand its operational footprint and strengthen manufacturing capabilities for India’s growing railway and urban transit sector. The Group is expanding in Odisha with a new Track Component Casting Unit, for which the groundbreaking ceremony was held on 8 April 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.The Group’s flagship EPC arm, Rahee Infratech Ltd, continues to focus on complex rail infrastructure projects, including track systems, bridges, viaducts and ballastless infrastructure. Its wholly owned subsidi..