Lavender-based ‘Purple Revolution’ from Doda becomes National startup model: Dr Jitendra Singh

Jammu, Jan 16: Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh Friday said that the “Purple revolution” originating from Doda had offered a Himalayan model of startup and entrepreneurship.

Addressing a programme at the CSIR–Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM) here on the occasion of National Startup Day, he said that the initiative, which began from Bhaderwah in district Doda of Jammu and Kashmir with lavender cultivation and aroma-based enterprises, evolved into a national success story.

Dr Jitendra, who is also the Union Minister of State (independent charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Space and Department of Atomic Energy, noted, “The model has now expanded to other Himalayan states and the Northeast. This has given rise to a new genre of startups rooted in local resources, scientific innovation and sustainable livelihood generation.”

He underscored that India was witnessing a historic transformation in its innovation and entrepreneurship landscape. This, he said, was creating unprecedented opportunities for the youth.

The Union Minister maintained, “These are the best times for young Indians, as they, now, have the opportunity to earn well by starting their own ventures, and emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.”

Dr Jitendra said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India became the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over two lakh startups operating across diverse sectors, including biotechnology, information technology, agriculture and healthcare. Earlier, there were a mere 350m to 400 startups in the country, he said.

Recalling the Prime Minister’s clarion call of ‘stand up India start up India’ from the ramparts of the Red Fort a decade ago to promote startups, innovation and self-reliance, the Union Minister said the government responded with a comprehensive policy framework.

This addressed long-standing gaps in funding, mentorship, market access and technology transfer, he stated.

Dr Jitendra also underlined the growing role of women entrepreneurs in India’s startup journey. He informed that 60,000 to 70,000 startups were currently led by women. This reflected inclusive growth and the breaking of traditional barriers.

He said that women-led enterprises were playing a crucial role in social transformation and economic development.

Union Minister also emphasised the transformative impact of the National Education Policy (NEP), which redefined India’s education system by offering students the freedom to choose subjects based on their aptitude, interests and skills. He said this flexibility was nurturing creativity, critical thinking and an entrepreneurial mindset among students, aligning education with the needs of a knowledge-driven economy.

Referring to past challenges, Dr Jitendra said that earlier generations of youth often lacked enabling support, institutional guidance and access to markets for translating ideas into enterprises.

In contrast, the government created a strong support system by providing financial assistance, market linkages and technological support through a network of incubators, accelerators, research institutions and startup-friendly policies.

Dr Jitendra highlighted the pivotal role played by CSIR-IIIM in bridging the gap between scientific research and commercial application. He said the institute was instrumental in promoting innovation-led entrepreneurship in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agri-innovation, medicinal plants and aroma-based industries, thereby strengthening the regional startup ecosystem.

The Union Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to extending startup opportunities to aspirational, border and remote regions, ensuring balanced regional development and employment generation. He said empowering youth through innovation and entrepreneurship was central to achieving the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Dr Jitendra urged young innovators, researchers and students to leverage the enabling ecosystem created by the government. He said they needed to contribute to nation-building through science, technology and entrepreneurship.