Associated News Bureau

LG Sinha Calls for Inclusive, Innovation-Driven Vision to Build Viksit Bharat by 2047

NEW DELHI, August 23, 2026: Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha on Sunday called for a collective, inclusive and innovation-driven approach to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047, stressing that the country’s growth must remain rooted in its civilisational values while embracing technology and modernity. Addressing the World Wisdom Forum organised by the IIT Alumni Council in New Delhi, Sinha said India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation must balance technological advancement with human sensitivity, while ensuring that development reaches every region and section of society. Congratulating the IIT Alumni Council for bringing together eminent personalities from diverse fields to deliberate on India’s future, the Lieutenant Governor said the collective determination of a nation could turn aspirations into reality. Reflecting on India’s development trajectory under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sinha said the “seed of Viksit Bharat has already sprouted” and the country had achieved significant milestones over the past 12 years. He said India’s expected emergence as one of the world’s three largest economies well before 2047 must be accompanied by a deeper reflection on the country’s civilisational, spiritual and cultural values. He observed that the true measure of a civilisation lies not only in the wealth generated by its economy but also in how that prosperity is utilised for the larger good. Five key challenges Sinha identified five major challenges requiring collective attention from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, engineers, policymakers and other stakeholders. He stressed the need to transform India’s large young population into a skilled workforce equipped with expertise in emerging technologies, while ensuring sustainable development and environmental responsibility. He also called for stronger institutions that are transparent, accountable, efficient and responsive to citizens, besides emphasising balanced regional development to bridge the gap between advanced urban centres and underserved areas. The Lieutenant Governor further urged India to shift from being primarily a consumer of technology to becoming a global creator of technologies, innovations and ideas. “We must create the future rather than purchase it by becoming not just a consumer but a global creator of technologies, innovations, and ideas,” he said, calling for greater Indian participation in shaping the future of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Industry urged to invest in J&K Highlighting Jammu and Kashmir’s potential, Sinha called upon industry leaders to invest in the Union Territory’s youth, tourism, horticulture, handicrafts and hydropower sectors. He said the confidence generated among young people in Jammu and Kashmir and the new opportunities emerging in the region should be matched by constructive intervention from the industry. Sinha stressed the need to connect the region’s horticulture, tourism and handicraft products with global markets and said investment in Jammu and Kashmir would contribute to India’s broader development journey. Focus on 2047 generation The Lieutenant Governor also urged the younger generation to prepare for the responsibilities that await them in 2047, when India will mark 100 years of independence. He called upon young people to reflect on what they would create for the country and what impact their work would have on society and people’s lives. Sinha said the vision of Viksit Bharat was not limited to economic growth or higher GDP but encompassed an inclusive and prosperous society in which development becomes a right and opportunity available to every citizen. Emphasising India’s traditional ethos of collective welfare, he called upon industry leaders, policymakers, educators and citizens to ensure that their contributions serve the interests of the country, society and humanity as a whole. Member of Parliament Shashank Mani Tripathi, IIT Alumni Council President Ravi Sharma, National Stock Exchange MD and CEO Dr Ashish Chauhan, eminent IIT alumni and prominent citizens from different walks of life attended the forum.