India aspires to become a developed nation by 2047 and it needs a tenfold growth when compared to now to achieve the goal, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said.
Participating in the 11th graduation day ceremony of Vignan’s University at Vadlamudi in Guntur district on October 23 (Monday), she said that 13 prominent foreign startup companies were planning to invest in India. “Remarkably, all their products will be manufactured in India and exported. India offers many opportunities to startups,” she said.
The Union Finance Minister said that the students should not confine their goals to landing a job in software and IT companies. The students should be encouraged to pursue research in rare minerals, material science, drone technology, and natural gas technology.
The current education system emphasises STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) to support these goals, she said.
Ms. Sitharaman noted India’s achievements in space exploration, citing the ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission to the south pole of the moon and the government’s commitment to launching a manned mission by 2040.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has asked the ISRO to initiate efforts to establish an “Indian Space Station” by 2035.
Ms. Sitharaman encouraged students to pursue higher education abroad and return to India after studies to contribute to the country’s development.
Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Buggana Rajendranath Reddy encouraged students to seize the immense opportunities in the country.
During the graduation day ceremony, the university awarded degrees to 1,820 graduates and gold medals were awarded to 51 students.
Honorary doctorates
Subbarao Pavuluri, founder of Ananth Technologies, Hyderabad; S.P. Vasireddy, executive chairman of Vimta Labs Limited, Hyderabad and ace chess player Koneru Hampi were conferred with honorary doctorates on the occasion.
Lavu Rathaiah, Chairman of Vignan’s Educational Institutions, Lavu Srikrishna Devarayalu, vice-chairman of Vignan Educational Institutions and others participated in the programme.
