Ayanangsha Maitra
Calling on Indian Institutes of Technology alumni to help shape India’s reform agenda, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday said Parliament should draw upon their expertise to address national challenges across sectors. Observing that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government is committed to reforms in every sector, addressing the IITians, the Lok Sabha Speaker appealed, “All of you, with your vast experience, can contribute significantly to overcoming the challenges faced by ordinary people.”
Birla said that as the Speaker of the lower house, he would forward all valuable suggestions to the relevant Parliament Standing Committees for consideration and deliberation.
“Our Parliament Standing Committees should benefit from your experience, especially regarding what needs to be reformed and in which sectors. Your contribution to the country is essential,” Birla said at a book launch, comprising over 400 distinguished IIT alumni, policymakers, entrepreneurs, academicians, students, and industry leaders.
He added that whenever the country faces a challenge, it looks to the IITs for solutions.
“Whether it is COVID or any other challenge; whether it is the challenge of infrastructure, the challenge of the environment, the challenges of science, the challenge of space… whether it is the challenges of the digital world, AI or robotics — solutions to all these challenges emerge from India’s IITs,” Birla remarked.
Birla also asked the IITians to inspire the next generation with their vision and ideas so that they too contribute their bit towards solving the daily challenges faced by the common man as well as small farmers.
The Lok Sabha Speaker spoke in detail about India’s knowledge tradition, scientific temperament, innovation, and the significant role played by the IITs in nation-building. He will also share his views on the contribution of research, technology, and youth power toward building a developed India by 2047.
As populations shrink across major economies such as Russia and Japan, India is increasingly being viewed as a potential source of talent, innovation and human capital to help address emerging global workforce and economic challenges. Speaking on the issue, the speaker argued that India must leverage its vast resources and rapidly evolving education system to support countries grappling with demographic decline. He further pointed to the country’s success in building world-class institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), which have produced generations of skilled professionals and played a crucial role in driving India’s economic growth, as a model for how India can contribute to the world’s future prosperity.
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