Shristi Biswas
19th October 2020
On the occasion of the 89th birth anniversary of former President Of India and Scientist, Late Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, the Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal, virtually launched the 'Kapila' Kalam Program for Intellectual Property Literacy and Awareness campaign. While addressing on occasion, he said, "It is necessary not only to invent for the self-sufficiency of the country, but also to patent the inventions. Patent of inventions will lead towards Self-Reliant India," as per the PIB press release.
Ramesh Pokhriyal, Union Education Minister (Source : Instagram handle of Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhriyal)
Having a proud history of Nalanda and Takshila Universities, India, already had the intellectual property inherited within its culture. India has to follow the path of Vishwaguru in the field of patents to lead the World again. On ‘National Innovation Day’, this initiative has been taken towards making India self-reliant. Under this project, students pursuing education in higher educational institutions will get information about the correct application process for getting patents, and they will be aware of their rights.
The Minister added that India has an ample amount of resources that need to be channelised in the IP field and so appealed to the youth to come ahead with their inventions to make India self-reliant. The colleges and institutions will be facilitated to encourage students to file patents for their innovations. The Minister urged the Indian students to stay in the country and study to showcase their talent in the ‘New India’ of the 21st Century.
The Institution Innovation Council annual report was presented on occasion as well with the announcement of IIC 3.0. The week of October 15th to 23rd has also been decided to celebrate as ‘Intellectual Property Literacy Week’.
Citing the occasion, Minister of State for Education, Shri Sanjay Dhotre, said that the Ministry of Education established the Institution Innovation Council in 2018. By the Institution Innovation Council, it has been found in about 1700 higher educational institutions and aims at establishing 5000 higher educational institutions under IIC 3.0. To ensure India becomes a $5 trillion economy, we as citizens need to be more aware of protecting intellectual property. So research students and scientists of India must apply to preserve and safeguard their inventions.
Shri Dhotre said that under the Intellectual Property Literacy Week, several activities would be arranged, through which awareness about the system will be created online. Other Activities such as debates, poster contests, quizzes, and community meetings will be organized as well. He wishes that this mission will promote entrepreneurship and startups in India’s higher education infrastructure.
As per the PIB press release, Controller General of Patents, Design, and Trademarks Shri Gupta said, “India can benefit from its inventions only if the country’s researchers and inventors are aware of the proper system of patenting. This campaign will help create awareness among students for filing applications for patents.”
(Sources: PIB, TOI, News Bharati)
Edited by: Keyuri