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Odisha CM Majhi Declares Science & Technology as India's Key to Global Rise

  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. ce-technology-as-india-s-key-to-global-rise.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 23:35 GMT by The New Indian Express

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Summary of “Science and Technology Key to India’s Global Rise Says CM Mohan Charan Majhi” (New Indian Express, 27 Nov 2025)

On 27 November 2025, the New Indian Express published an article detailing the remarks of Odisha Chief Minister (CM) Mohan Charan Majhi, who emphasised that science and technology are the linchpins of India’s ascent on the world stage. The CM delivered his message during the state’s inaugural “Odisha Science & Technology Summit” held at the Tech Hub Convention Centre in Bhubaneswar, a gathering that drew more than 3,000 delegates from academia, industry, and government.

1. Key Thesis: Science & Technology as a National Imperative

CM Majhi opened by underscoring the transformative power of scientific research and technological innovation. “India’s future will be written in data, algorithms, and clean energy,” he said. He linked this vision to the national “Make in India” and “Digital India” agendas, noting that these programmes are now converging with the state’s own “Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Plan” (IEDP) launched last year. Majhi argued that a robust science‑tech ecosystem would not only spur economic growth but also enhance India’s soft power and diplomatic clout.

2. Odisha’s Current Landscape

The article outlined several flagship projects that Odisha has rolled out to create a fertile environment for research and development:

• Odisha Science & Technology Policy 2024‑2030 – The state’s latest policy, adopted in September 2024, earmarks 0.8 % of the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for R&D, a 20 % increase over the previous decade.
• Odisha Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development Board (OIEDB) – A statutory body established to streamline funding, incubation, and mentorship for start‑ups in fields such as biotechnology, renewable energy, and digital health.
• Smart City & Digital Infrastructure Initiatives – Four Smart City projects (Rourkela, Cuttack, Sambalpur, and Bhubaneswar) are integrating 5G connectivity, IoT sensors, and AI‑driven analytics to reduce urban carbon footprints by 15 % by 2030.
• Green Technology Hub, Sundargarh – A dedicated zone for clean‑tech companies, offering tax incentives and access to shared research facilities.

Majhi also highlighted the state’s partnerships with premier research institutions: a joint laboratory with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT‑KGP) in computational biology, a collaboration with the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT‑R) on advanced materials, and an agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore to create a satellite observatory for climate monitoring.

3. National and International Context

The article linked to several national policy documents to contextualise the CM’s statements:

• NITI Aayog’s “National Innovation Mission (NIM)” – The policy encourages cross‑sectoral research clusters, a point the CM echoed when he mentioned “cluster‑based innovation” as a model for Odisha.
• Department of Science & Technology (DST) “Future Fund” – The 2025 edition of the fund’s annual report was cited, noting its allocation of ₹10 billion to “high‑impact” projects in emerging sectors.
• International Collaboration – Majhi cited a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Odisha and the European Union for joint research on marine biodiversity. The article linked to the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme page, illustrating how state‑level initiatives can dovetail with global research frameworks.

4. Policy Recommendations and Vision

According to the article, CM Majhi outlined a multi‑layered strategy to embed science and technology into Odisha’s socio‑economic fabric:

1. Boosting Human Capital – Introducing a “Science and Technology Scholarship” program for high‑school graduates in rural districts, coupled with teacher‑training modules in STEM.
2. Infrastructure Investment – Expanding the state’s research parks by 150 ha over the next five years, focusing on clean‑tech and digital health.
3. Private‑Sector Engagement – Establishing a “Technology Investment Fund” to match private capital in early‑stage start‑ups, leveraging tax‑exempt status.
4. Regulatory Reform – Simplifying the patent‑registration process for Indian innovators, inspired by reforms in Singapore’s Intellectual Property Office.
5. Monitoring & Accountability – Setting up a “Science & Technology Advisory Council” comprising industry leaders, academics, and civil‑society representatives to audit annual R&D spend and output.

He concluded that “India’s rise will not be about brute force; it will be about the cumulative strength of its innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.” The CM called for a “culture of curiosity” across schools and communities, urging citizens to view science not as a distant discipline but as a daily tool for problem‑solving.

5. Reactions and Next Steps

The article quoted a representative of the National Council for Science & Technology (NCST), who praised Odisha’s proactive stance: “States are the engines of innovation; Odisha’s plan aligns well with national priorities.” A local start‑up founder also highlighted the impact of the OIEDB, noting that their AI‑driven agritech platform secured ₹3 million in seed funding within six months of application.

Finally, the article reported that Odisha will host the next phase of the “Global India Innovation Conference” in March 2026, inviting international delegates to showcase collaborative research, thereby cementing the state’s reputation as a burgeoning science‑tech hub.

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