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New Delhi : Union Minister for Petroleum and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan on December 15, 2019, attended the CHEMCON 2019, the 72nd Annual Session of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said, “Innovation cannot be achieved without having the courage to fail. We must move away from the culture of “status quo”. Any economy cannot grow by leaps and bounds without the support of innovation driven scientific community.We are moving towards a knowledge based economy. India will be at the centre of global innovation. The shifts in global economic landscape coupled with India’s vibrancy is making India, the hotspot of global growth.” He further said, “We have ample intellectual capacity to solve our challenges. IITs are the pride of our country. They are breeding ground for academic excellence and offer immense opportunities.”
Speaking about Industry 4.0, he said, “Industrial Revolution 4.0 presents immense opportunity to India. We must own our failures, and become brave innovators.” The Minister informed that Oil and gas PSUs have set up a fund of Rs 300 crore to support startups. “I have even advised PSU companies to support innovation and entrepreneurship by employees,” he added, according to a PIB release.
Appealing to the scientific community, Pradhan said, “We are a nation of aspirations. Our scientific community must contribute towards realising aspirations of our youth.” While interacting with the students, he motivated them to move away from traditional notions of success and become entrepreneurs to create a better future for themselves and for the country. Expressing happiness over his meeting with the students, Pradhan said, “There’s so much these youngsters can teach you. Exuberance, energy and the will to succeed against odds, glad to meet some of the brightest minds in the country.”