India emerging as global leader in AI: LG Sinha
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By RK News
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25 Sep 2025
Rs 1 lakh cr innovation fund to accelerate quantum, AI, climate tech
Srinagar, Sept 25: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is transforming India into a society driven by innovation,”
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said today, highlighting the country’s growing global leadership in
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and AI-driven solutions across diverse sectors.
The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the
launch of the ATL Sarthi initiative at the University of Kashmir, which will serve as the
nodal institution for the program in Jammu & Kashmir. The initiative, in collaboration with
NITI Aayog, aims to establish robust monitoring mechanisms and strong institutional linkages between
Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs) and schools across the Union Territory.
The focus of
ATL Sarthi will be on
mentorship, capacity building for ATL teachers, and
guiding students in transforming innovative ideas into
commercially viable prototypes.
In his address, the Lieutenant Governor praised ATL Sarthi as a visionary step to connect every ATL to a
larger ecosystem of guidance and mentorship.
“The Atal Tinkering Lab is a fitting tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These labs empower young minds, encouraging self-discovery and critical problem-solving skills. By nurturing the curiosity of India’s ‘Amrit Generation’, ATL labs are laying the foundation of a developed and aspirational nation,” he said.
LG Sinha noted that
Atal Tinkering Labs are steadily transforming the innovation ecosystem at the school level in J&K. Districts such as
Jammu, Udhampur, Rajouri, Kulgam, Shopian, and Srinagar are witnessing a surge in
student-led innovations and the equipping of students with
future-ready skills.
He expressed his
gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving
500 additional Atal Tinkering Labs in Jammu and Kashmir under the
Frontier Region Program, at a
cost of Rs 100 crore.
“These additional labs will play a crucial role in
inclusive innovation, especially by bringing the benefits of ATLs to
remote and tribal areas,” he said.
He also called for the
expansion of ATL coverage in the Jammu division, stressing that these labs offer young people opportunities to create innovative,
localised solutions in key sectors such as
agriculture, handicrafts, tourism, and disaster management.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised that under the Prime Minister’s leadership,
innovation is no longer confined to industries, but has become
an integral part of Indian society.
He urged the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, the future innovators, to
fully leverage government support to pursue their aspirations.
He also highlighted the recently announced
Rs 1 lakh crore fund for research, development, and innovation, spread over the next six years, which will accelerate progress in
high-priority sectors such as
energy security, climate action, and emerging technologies like
Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence.
The Lieutenant Governor called upon the
University of Kashmir to focus on
skill development and capacity building for ATL teachers, to unlock their potential and further promote a culture of
creativity and innovation.
During the event, he also
commended ATL students from across J&K for coming up with
innovative solutions to address local challenges, and visited the
exhibition stalls showcasing their projects. He interacted with the young innovators, appreciating their efforts.
The event also saw the
release of a coffee table book celebrating successful innovations by ATL students in Jammu and Kashmir.
Corporate and foundation partners present on the occasion also briefed the gathering on their
CSR initiatives aimed at strengthening the innovation ecosystem in the Union Territory.
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