JAMMU, Jan 16: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh on Thursday said the “Purple Revolution” originating from Doda has offered a Himalayan model of startup and entrepreneurship.
The Minister said the initiative, which began in Bhaderwah area of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir with lavender cultivation and aroma-based enterprises, has evolved into a national success story. He noted that the model has now expanded to other Himalayan states and the Northeast, giving rise to a new genre of startups rooted in local resources, scientific innovation and sustainable livelihood generation.
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a programme at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) here on the occasion of National Startup Day.
The Union Minister said these are the best times for young Indians, as they now have the opportunity to earn well by starting their own ventures and emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.
Highlighting India’s startup growth, Dr Singh said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with over two lakh startups operating across diverse sectors such as biotechnology, information technology, agriculture and healthcare. Earlier, there were barely 350 to 400 startups in the country.
Recalling the Prime Minister’s clarion call of “Stand Up India, Start Up India” from the Red Fort a decade ago, Dr Jitendra Singh said the government responded with a comprehensive policy framework addressing long-standing gaps in funding, mentorship, market access and technology transfer.
The Minister underlined the growing role of women entrepreneurs in India’s startup journey, stating that nearly 60,000 to 70,000 startups are currently led by women. This, he said, reflects inclusive growth and the breaking of traditional barriers, with women-led enterprises playing a crucial role in social transformation and economic development.
Dr Jitendra Singh also emphasised the transformative impact of the National Education Policy (NEP), which has redefined India’s education system by allowing students to choose subjects based on aptitude, interests and skills. He said this flexibility is fostering creativity, critical thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset aligned with a knowledge-driven economy.
Referring to past challenges, the Minister said earlier generations often lacked institutional support, guidance and market access to translate ideas into enterprises. In contrast, he said, the government has created a strong support system through financial assistance, market linkages and technological support via incubators, accelerators, research institutions and startup-friendly policies.
Dr Singh highlighted the pivotal role of CSIR-IIIM in bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial application. He said the institute has been instrumental in promoting innovation-led entrepreneurship in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agri-innovation, medicinal plants and aroma-based industries, strengthening the regional startup ecosystem.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to extending startup opportunities to aspirational, border and remote regions to ensure balanced regional development and employment generation. He said empowering youth through innovation and entrepreneurship is central to achieving the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Dr Jitendra Singh urged young innovators, researchers and students to leverage the enabling ecosystem created by the government and contribute to nation-building through science, technology and entrepreneurship……………..(Agencies)
