India’s space economy is at 8 billion dollars and is estimated to reach 40 billion dollars by the year 2040, said Jitendra Singh, minister of state for science and technology.
“There were only four space start-ups in the country in 2014 whereas in 2023, there are more than 150 start ups,” he said while inaugurating the S-20 Conference, under the aegis of G20, at Amity University’s Noida campus.
The minister said the world is ready to be led by India and the successful landing of the Chandrayaan-3 is a testimony to the collective acumen of the country's incredible scientific temperament. “There is no dearth of talent and potential. However, India lacked the enabling milieu from the policy makers of the nation earlier, which is now being given impetus by the Prime Minister”.
Singh claimed that India’s Presidency of G-20 is a matter of immense pride for the whole country. “Under the visionary leadership of our Prime Minister Narendra Modiji, India has attained remarkable achievements in the field of Science and technology. In 2014, the country had 350 start ups but today we have more than 1.25 lakh start-ups and 130 Unicorns. Out of 1.25 lakh start-ups, 6,000 start ups are in the unicorn sector itself which has transformed the landscape of innovation in the country. The Global Innovation Index has also risen from 81 to 40, which is yet another example of India’s strong position in the S&T domain,” he said.
Dr. Ashok K. Chauhan, Founder President Amity Education Group, highlighted the significance of the S20 Conference and said science is the driving force behind economic expansion and human progress.
“The prestigious S20 Conference will play a major role in developing a scientific temperament among the youth who are the future leaders of the country. It is only through science, technology, research and innovation, that the nation will lead the world and become a Global Superpower,” he said.
The two-day conference unfolded with an exclusive Science Quiz and Debate Competition, wherein over 200 students from different schools of Delhi NCR participated.