The 21st century is the age of technology and this will play a key role in transforming the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modisaid at the 54th convocation of IIT-Kanpur on Tuesday.

Calling the present times that we live in as a “technology driven one”, the PM said: "We are entering a phase of comprehensive opportunitiesto make a 'Modern India'.”

Digital degrees

Students were issued digital degrees through an in-house blockchain-driven technology developed at the Institute under the National Blockchain Project. The Prime Minister also launchedthe blockchain-based digital degrees. These digital degrees can be verified globally and are unforgeable, it was said at the start of the convocation.

According to Modi, technology is going to increase its dominance in different fields. 

“Earlier, if the thinking was thatof perfunctory work, then today the thinking is action and result-oriented. Earlier, if there was an attempt to get away from the problems, then today resolutions are taken to solve the problems,” he told students.

Calling India a “global hub for start-ups, the Prime Minister said the country was witness to 75 plus Unicorns (startups that have a valuation of $1 billion or above), and housed over50000 start-ups. Of these, nearly 10,000 came up over the last six months.

“A record high of Indian startups turned Unicorn this year, surpassing the United Kingdom (UK) as we became the third largest ecosystem (with the most number of unicorns), he said addingthat: “ Many startups have been started by the youth from IITs.

The Prime Minister also lamented the lost time that should have been utilised for nation-building and that his impatience stems from the fact that he wants a self-reliant India; where the country doesnot depend on anyone.

Initiatives like Atal Innovation Mission, PM Research Fellowships and National Education Policy are part of the new opportunities thatare being created. India has improved on the easeof doing business rankings and removal of policy blockages are visible clearly.

Advising students to choose challenges over comfort, Modi said: “Whether you want it or not, there are bound to be challenges in life. But if you are looking for challenges, you are the hunter and thechallenge is the hunted.”

 

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