Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called for transforming educational campuses into vibrant hubs of innovation to realize the vision of a Developed India@2047.
Addressing the concluding ceremony of a 48-hour national-level Hackathon under "Innovathon 1.0" at the University of Jammu, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized the need to create technological ecosystems that continuously reinvent themselves and embrace change as an opportunity rather than remaining static.
"India's ambition in the technology revolution must extend beyond participation. We must become leaders. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are reshaping the trajectory of human civilization. The nations that master these technologies will write the rules for the coming century," he said.
The Hackathon was organized by the Skill, Incubation, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (SIIEDC) with the aim of promoting innovation, encouraging technology-driven solutions, and strengthening the entrepreneurial mindset among youth.
The Lieutenant Governor observed that India's youth are not merely spectators of the future, but its architects and builders. He said pathbreaking innovations, fresh ideas, and cutting-edge research have the potential to alter the nation's destiny. Emphasizing that Developed India@2047 is not just a slogan but a commitment to future generations, he urged students to pursue transformative innovations.
Highlighting the evolving role of higher educational institutions, he said campuses have moved beyond being degree-granting institutions and have become workshops of innovation where ideas take tangible form. He lauded the University of Jammu for bridging the gap between classroom theory and practical application through Innovathon 1.0.
The five thematic pillars of the Hackathon — AI, Cyber-Physical Systems, Sustainability, Health-Tech, and Responsible Tourism — reflect the real challenges and opportunities India faces on its path to becoming a developed nation, he added.
Calling upon institutions to cultivate entrepreneurial spirit and strengthen startup ecosystems, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized closing the gap between prototypes and products. He noted that skills ensuring employability a few years ago are rapidly becoming obsolete in the face of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Blockchain, and Quantum Computing.
He underscored that classrooms must shift from passive learning to active creation, encouraging students to focus not just on what they know but on what they can build. At the same time, he stressed that AI tools should augment and amplify human intelligence rather than replace it.
"As emerging technologies blur the boundaries between digital and physical worlds, we must develop robust and secure solutions that genuinely improve people's lives," he said, urging youth and entrepreneurs to convert innovative ideas into viable commercial solutions that contribute to national progress.