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Kolkata, September 6 (IANS). Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Sunday said that India's rapidly growing startup ecosystem should no longer be limited to metros only. He stressed that there is a need to identify the innovation potential present in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of the country and connect it with scientific institutions, industry and investors, so that indigenous technologies can be taken from laboratories to the market faster.

Addressing the inaugural session of the sixth Rise Conclave 2026 held in Kolkata, Dr. Singh said that more than 50 to 60 percent of the country's startups are now operating from small towns and emerging urban centres. In such a situation, the strategy to promote innovation should also be prepared keeping these areas at the center.

He said that young innovators from small towns are now not only at par with entrepreneurs from big cities, but are also outperforming them in many cases. It is therefore the responsibility of scientific institutions and the innovation ecosystem to reach out to these talents, rather than expecting them to come to established technology hubs.

Dr Singh said that events like RISE Conclave provide a common platform to startups, industry, researchers, potential mentors and government representatives, thereby developing stronger links between scientific research and entrepreneurship and accelerating the process of commercializing new technologies.

He stressed that the objective of research should not be limited to scientific papers and laboratories only. It is necessary to take the research to entrepreneurship, technology transfer, commercialization and wider use of the society. He said that startups should act as an effective medium to deliver technologies developed in laboratories to the market.

Describing the importance of Kolkata as the venue of the Conclave, Dr. Singh said that this city has made a historical contribution to the scientific and educational development of India. The land of Bengal has given the country many great scientists, educationists and institutions, who strengthened the foundation of India's scientific progress.

He met Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, Prof. U.N. Brahmachari, Sir C.V. Referring to great personalities like Raman and Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, he said that it is the responsibility of the present generation to carry forward this legacy and re-establish Kolkata as a major center of science and technology.

The Union Minister of State said that the “Whole-of-Government” approach of the government is now gradually evolving into a “Whole-of-Science” model, under which ministries, departments, research institutes, educational institutions and industry are being linked under a common objective.

He stressed the need to develop a strong knowledge corridor in Eastern India. He said that by increasing collaboration between CSIR laboratories, IIT Kharagpur, IISER Kolkata, NIT Durgapur, Atal Tinkering Labs and institutions associated with the Department of Biotechnology, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Atomic Energy and Ministry of Earth Sciences, the region can be made a big center of innovation and research.

Dr. Singh said that for India's self-reliant technological future, it is essential that the knowledge developed in research institutions is rapidly linked to industry and the market, which will not only lead to commercialization of new technologies, but will also strengthen India's position in employment generation, economic growth and global competitiveness.

–IANS

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