Dhanbad: Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth on Saturday urged young researchers and students to look beyond India’s achievements of the past century and develop technologies that can shape the country’s next 100 years.Addressing the inaugural session of the 20th symposium on ‘National Frontiers of Engineering (NatFoE 2026) and Innovation in Manufacturing Practices’ (IMP 2026) at IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Seth called for faster innovation, indigenous technology and stronger collaboration between research institutions and industry.“We have to see what we have to do in the coming 100 years, not what we did in the last 100 years,” Seth said, warning that “rapid technological change could leave India behind if innovation is delayed”.Urging researchers to move beyond laboratories, he said, “New technologies must address practical national needs. This is the time for innovation. You are the researchers and students who have the energy to give new technology to the country.”Highlighted India’s growing self-reliance in defence production, Seth said, “The country now exports defence equipment to 102 countries. Defence exports have risen from around Rs 646 crore in 2016 to Rs 38,424 crore at present, while domestic defence production has reached about Rs 1.78 lakh crore. The govt aims to raise defence production to Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029. India’s start-up ecosystem has expanded from around 400 start-ups in 2013 to over 2.36 lakh.”Seth also encouraged IIT (ISM) students to explore manufacturing, mineral value addition and the use of mining-area water for irrigation, drinking water and fisheries.
