The Vice President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu called upon innovators to use technology for bringing about a transformation and positive change in the lives of people. He was addressing the INK 2018 Conference, in Hyderabad today.The Vice President said that the quest for excellence, for a better tomorrow, for a happy, harmonious world has been the driving force behind human progress over the centuries . The Vice President said that technology and knowledge have to be used to make people’s lives prosperous, harmonious and comfortable.Shri Naidu said that Science, Research and Technology should aim to make “tomorrow better than today” and bring in fine balance between the technical capabilities and the wellbeing of our planet. He urged the young innovators and tech geniuses to play the role of catalysts in harnessing the power of technology to transform human lives. Observing that government of India has been focusing on fostering a culture of innovation under Atal Innovation Mission, the Vice President said that leading global companies and other organizations are partnering with the government to take forward this mission for creation of an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Vice President said that the India with its knowledge and youth potential is poised to make waves and this is the moment to celebrate the power of human ingenuity. At the same time, he called for ensuring environmental sustainability and keeping the planet green.Shri Naidu congratulated the INK for creating a gathering to tell inspiring stories of innovators and then connecting them to one another for a collective acceleration of the journeys of change. The Vice President said that India needs more makers, shakers and movers in an era of creative disruptions and out of the box thinking to focus on equitable development and inclusive growth.Saying that despite significant improvements in growth rate of our country, issues such as poverty, unemployment, economic and social inequalities continue to challenge India, Shri Naidu told innovators to use the technological prowess to accelerate the country’s progress towards sustainable and inclusive growth.The Vice President also suggested a rethink on existing education system to promote innovative thinking right from school age. We must promote the joy of discovery and experiential learning, he said. He advocated that children must spend 50 per cent of their school time in class-rooms and the remaining time must be earmarked for sports and co-curricular activities.