Think India National Convention 2024 concludes at IIT Roorkee, Paving the way for Bharat 4.0

Roorkee, December 24, 2024: The Think India National Convention 2024, hosted at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, concluded on a high note, bringing together over 300 participants from across Institutes of National Importance such as IISc, IITs, NITs, IIMs, and NLUs. Themed “Bharat 4.0,” the three-day event (December 21-23) fostered innovative discussions on India’s roadmap to becoming a self-reliant and resilient nation by 2047, blending technological advancements, sustainable practices, and indigenous solutions.

The convention was inaugurated virtually by  Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, who delivered a visionary keynote address. Emphasizing the transformative power of sustainable infrastructure, green technologies, and digital innovation, he highlighted India's potential to lead on the global stage, leveraging its young and talented engineering manpower.

"The conversion of knowledge and waste into wealth is the future of India," said Shri Gadkari Ji. He outlined a roadmap to align with PM Modi's vision of a $10 trillion economy by 2030, underscoring the importance of reducing imports, boosting exports, and adopting sustainable practices. He also stressed the critical role of infrastructure—encompassing water, power, transport, and communication—as the backbone of economic growth and employment generation.

Gadkari advocated the transition to biofuels, alternative energy sources, and electric vehicles (EVs) to mitigate pollution and reduce fossil fuel imports. Highlighting the government's commitment to sustainability, he pointed to India’s rising prominence in the automobile sector, now ranked 3rd globally, and projected a complete shift to EV-based public transport within five years. Subsidies for electric buses were noted as a pivotal move toward eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions.

Speaking at the convention, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, expressed pride in hosting this prestigious event. He said, "It is an honour for IIT Roorkee to host the Think India National Convention 2024, a platform that embodies the spirit of collaboration and innovation. This event reflects our institute’s commitment to driving transformative discussions and fostering ground-breaking innovations that pave the way for a self-reliant and technologically advanced Bharat 4.0."

Prof. Pant lauded the entrepreneurial ecosystem at IIT Roorkee, home to over 200 startups, encouraging scholars to become job creators and tackle unemployment. He emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in agriculture and energy management, as well as the fusion of ancient Indian wisdom with modern practices to offer global solutions.

At the conclusion of the inaugural session, Dr. Bhaveshkumar Bhalja, Professor-in-Charge of the Think India Club, IIT Roorkee, expressed his gratitude to all the guests and dignitaries for their insightful contributions, which have illuminated the path towards a self-reliant Bharat by 2047.

The Think India National Convention 2024 brought together a distinguished panel of speakers, including Shri Ashok Shrivastav, Senior Journalist at DD News; Rashmi Samant, Author;  Lokenath Chatterjee, Advocate at the High Court Kolkata;  Atul Kulkarni, Member of the Board of Governors, IIM Shillong; Prof. Sachidanand Tripathi, Professor at IIT Kanpur and Infosys Awardee; and Vijayant Gaur, Director General of the Cyber Security Association of India (CSAI). These experts shared their insights on various dimensions of India’s journey toward self-reliance and sustainable development.

The discussions explored India's developmental trajectory through four transformative phases: Bharat 1.0, the pre-independence era marked by revolutionary visions that laid the foundation for the nation; Bharat 2.0, the post-independence phase of industrialization and the establishment of a mixed economy (1947–1991); Bharat 3.0, the era of liberalization that propelled India toward Aatma Nirbhar Bharat; and Bharat 4.0, a future-oriented vision from the present day to 2047, focused on cutting-edge innovation, renewable energy solutions, and transformative digital technologies that aim to position India as a global leader.

Key sessions delved into innovation in infrastructure development, technology for self-reliance, and sustainability for future growth, employing the PESTLE framework (Policy, Economy, Society, Technology, Law, and Environment). Interactive discussions on media, ethics, and mental health added multidimensional insights, culminating in actionable strategies for achieving Bharat 4.0.

As a premier Institute of National Importance, IIT Roorkee continues to spearhead intellectual dialogue and innovation, reaffirming its commitment to building a sustainable and technologically advanced India. The convention marked a significant step toward realizing the nation’s self-reliant aspirations by 2047.