Dr. Jitendra Singh Urges J&K Youth to Embrace Entrepreneurship at National Startup Festival 2025
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh has called upon the youth of Jammu & Kashmir to move beyond the traditional pursuit of government jobs and embrace entrepreneurship. Inaugurating the two-day National Startup Festival 2025, organized by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine at the Government College for Women in Gandhi Nagar, Dr. Singh dedicated the event to the region’s young innovators. He emphasized the festival’s goal to ignite innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among the youth, highlighting the transformative potential of startups in reshaping the local economy.
A significant highlight of the festival was the focus on the ‘Purple Revolution,’ an initiative promoting lavender cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir. Dr. Singh noted that over 3,000 young entrepreneurs have benefited from this program, earning substantial incomes through lavender-based startups. This agricultural shift has not only provided financial gains but has also positioned the region prominently on the global startup map. The Minister encouraged the expansion of such agri-based ventures, urging urban areas to participate actively in this movement.
Dr. Singh also underscored the importance of early industry linkages and market research for startups. He advised young entrepreneurs to thoroughly understand market dynamics to ensure the sustainability of their ventures. Highlighting India’s burgeoning startup ecosystem, he mentioned that the country now hosts over 200,000 startups, ranking third globally. This growth has been instrumental in driving economic progress and generating employment opportunities, especially for women and self-help groups.
In a move to foster integrated research, Dr. Singh announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between premier institutions, including AIIMS, IIM, IIT, IIIM, and GMC Jammu. This collaboration aims to facilitate shared guidance for postgraduate students, promoting interdisciplinary research and innovation.
The Minister lauded the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing it as a transformative step towards creating a level playing field and ensuring digital inclusivity in education. He encouraged students to dedicate time daily to familiarize themselves with government schemes, enabling them to leverage available opportunities effectively.
During the festival, Dr. Singh engaged with young innovators, visiting 45 startup stalls that showcased a diverse range of innovations. He commended their efforts and urged them to continue contributing to India’s dynamic startup landscape. The National Startup Festival 2025 stands as a testament to Jammu & Kashmir’s potential to become a hub of innovation, self-reliance, and economic empowerment.
