Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced Jammu & Kashmir’s pivotal role in shaping India’s economic future as he launched the ATL Sarthi and Frontier Region Programme of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) on October 12 at the University of Kashmir. This initiative aims to augment the region’s contributions to the nation’s journey towards ‘Destination 2047’.
Dr. Singh asserted that Jammu & Kashmir holds immense potential to drive India’s innovation-led growth. He pointed out that as India’s economy climbs from fourth to third place globally, the contributions from underexplored regions like J&K become imperative. The Minister stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, Jammu & Kashmir has started receiving the attention it deserves.
During the launch, Dr. Singh highlighted that the region’s resources, including its majestic mountains and flowing rivers, have seen new opportunities through government initiatives. He noted successful projects like the Aroma Mission have spurred economic activities and job creation in the area.
The ATL Sarthi initiative signifies a significant leap for Jammu & Kashmir, marking a dual celebration: the university’s active role in integrating J&K into India’s growth narrative and AIM’s commitment to fostering innovation across the Union Territory.
As part of the Frontier Region Programme, the Minister revealed plans to establish 500 new Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) in J&K. These labs will account for the largest share among the 2,500 labs being set up across the country. With a substantial investment of ₹100 crore, the initiative aims to democratize access to state-of-the-art technology and empower students with skills in robotics, 3D printing, and artificial intelligence.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the importance of technology-driven sectors, saying, “India’s economic growth in the past decade has been spurred by advancements in sectors such as space and biotechnology.” He highlighted the rapid growth of India’s space economy, forecasting it to expand from $8 billion to an impressive $40–45 billion within a decade, fuelled by over 400 entrepreneurial ventures operating in the space domain.
The Minister underscored the necessity of public-private collaboration for sustainable development, stating, “Unless we devise a method of involving private players, we cannot sustain growth.” He referred to successful initiatives like InSpace and BIRAC as evidence of how structured collaboration can yield fruitful results.
Focusing on J&K’s emerging sectors such as floriculture, Dr. Singh expressed encouragement towards the ongoing ‘Aroma Mission’ which has cultivated thousands of startups in lavender and other flower-based ventures. He revealed that around 3,500 lavender startups are currently flourishing, attracting talent back from corporate sectors to entrepreneurial pursuits.
Reflecting on innovation metrics, Dr. Jitendra Singh revealed that 50 students from Jammu & Kashmir ranked among the top 1,000 in the nationwide School Innovation Marathon, marking a notable rise in the region’s talent pool. He urged students and parents alike to dismiss outdated beliefs that startups only thrive in metropolitan areas, stressing that nearly half of India’s startup ecosystem emerges from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Concluding the event, he reiterated the significance of education and innovation, stating, “Students in these tinkering labs will soon be in their prime working years. They will lead the nation into 2047, positioning J&K as a key torchbearer of India’s growth journey.”
The launch event featured notable attendees, including Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Education Minister Sakina Masood, University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nilofer Khan, and AIM Mission Director Dr. Deepak Bagla.
