Education minister Pradhan attends 12th and 13th Convocation of IIT, Bhubaneswar

"IIT Bhubaneswar can become the hotpot of innovation. Encouraged all stakeholders to strengthen research and innovation. The government of India and the Government of Odisha stands with you to enable you to make the big leap. With our demographic dividend, a knowledge-based society and a growing economy, India will surely lead the way in the 4th Industrial Revolution and the faces I see in front of me will be the leaders of this revolution," Pradhan posted on X.

While addressing the 12th and 13th Convocation of IIT, Bhubaneswar, Pradhan said "This is India's time. Indian civilisation has traditionally led and cared for the world. India is on its way to becoming the world's third-largest economy. Odisha is also uniquely poised to benefit from it with a rich demographic dividend and a knowledge-based society. Students are also the trustees of the society. Called upon the graduating students to become job creators and steer us towards a Viksit Bharat and Viksit Odisha,"

Meanwhile, Pradhan also visited the Research and Entrepreneurship Park at IIT, Bhubaneswar.

"Visited the @IITBhubaneswar Research and Entrepreneurship Park, an emerging hub of innovation in Odisha. The park is fostering startups in critical sectors such as healthcare, education, green energy and agritech, with notable projects like millet-based products and advanced drone technologies. The initiative envisions incubating 100 startups, each with a valuation of Rs 100 crore by 2036, reinforcing India's goal of building a self-reliant economy. Also, toured the Silicon Carbide Research Innovation Centre (SiCRIC). Such initiatives are instrumental in positioning Odisha as a dynamic centre for entrepreneurship and cutting-edge research," Pradhan posted on X.