New Delhi: Technology and talent are the two pillars that are key to India’s development journey, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday, adding that technology brings transformation while pointing that the number of unicorn startups have almost doubled since 2021- a testimony to India’s young talent.

In his address at United Nations World Geospatial International Congress (UNWGIC) through virtual mode, Modi said ‘I am glad to be interacting with all of you as part of the 2nd International Congress.This conference is being held in Hyderabad which is known for its culture, cuisine, hospitality and hi-tech vision.

My remarks at the UN World Geospatial International Congress. https://t.co/d0WyJWlJBP

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 11, 2022

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Elaborating further, the Prime Minister said the theme of this conference is ‘Geo-enabling the Global Village : No one should be left behind’, according to the Prime Minister’s Office statement.

“We have been working on a vision of Antyodaya which means empowering the last person at the last mile, in a mission mode,” he said.

“Technology and talent are the two pillars that are key to India’s development journey. Technology brings transformation. In India, technology is not an agent of exclusion. It is an agent of inclusion,” pm said.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of geospatial technology in driving inclusion and progress with examples of schemes like SVAMITVA & GatiShakti Master Plan.

India has already set an example in sharing the benefits of geo-spatial technology, the Prime Minister stated, citing the example of the South Asia Satellite for facilitating communication in India’s neighbourhood.

“India is a young nation with great innovative spirit,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the role of talent as the second pillar in India’s journey.

“India is one of the top startup hubs in the world, he added, with the number of unicorn startups having almost doubled since 2021- a testimony to India’s young talent.”

One of the most important freedoms is the freedom to innovate and this has been ensured for the geospatial sector, the Prime Minister said.

Collection, generation and digitization of geospatial data have now been democratized. Such reforms have been accompanied with a boost to the drone sector and opening up of the space sector for private participation, along with 5G taking off in India, the prime minister added.

The PM underscored the endless possibilities that geo-spatial technology offers including sustainable urban development, managing and mitigating disasters, tracking the impact of climate change, forest management, water management, stopping desertification and food security.

“With the stakeholders of the global geo-spatial industry coming together, with the policy makers and academic world interacting with each other, I am confident that this conference will help steer the global village into a new future,” PM concluded expressing his optimism at the occasion.