The government is promoting and acknowledging grassroots innovators for the first time in India, said Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh addressing the Silver Jubilee celebration of the National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India via virtual mode.

Highlighting the critical role of rural innovation in India’s economy, Dr. Singh stressed that innovations originating in remote villages will be scaled up, ensuring equal opportunities and resources as available in urban areas.

He applauded India’s transformation from the ‘Fragile Five’ to the ‘First Five’ and its soon-to-be fourth place in the global economy.

He called for a scientific approach to harnessing underexplored sectors, including those in the rural areas that were neglected under previous regimes.

The Minister highlighted the Micro Venture Innovation Fund (MVIF)—a pioneering initiative by NIF with SIDBI that has provided necessary risk capital to 238 innovation-based enterprise projects. Calling it a novel initiative, he debunked the myth that only elite scientists with fancy degrees can drive innovation and startups.

He cited the success of the Lavender Revolution, backed by CSIR-IIIM Jammu, and the Floriculture Revolution, driven by CSIR-IHBT Palampur.

Celebrating NIF’s 25-year journey, he announced that 713 patents have been granted in India and 5 in the USA, underscoring NIF’s role in fostering grassroots innovations.

He also highlighted that NIF was one of the early institutions in India to host a Technology Business Incubator (TBI), now known as NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC). Over 25 grassroots startups and several hundred enterprises, some with Rs. 10+ crore annual turnover, are thriving under its support, creating rural employment opportunities.