(Innovative Collaborations, Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Technological Advancement Drive the Future of Arid Landscapes)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
JODHPUR | 19 MARCH 2025
The first day of THRIVE 2025 (Transforming the Thar Ecoregion through Startups, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development
Jodhpur, India) at IIT Jodhpur commenced with a powerful vision to transform the Thar region through innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable solutions. The event brought together distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and government to chart a course toward a resilient, sustainable future.
Prof. Avinash K. Agarwal, Director of IIT Jodhpur, set the tone for the event by emphasizing the institute’s commitment to fostering impactful, startup-driven initiatives. He stated, “THRIVE 2025 is a step towards transforming the Thar region through innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable solutions. By fostering startup-driven initiatives in renewable energy, water security, climate resilience, and digital transformation, we aim to turn challenges into opportunities for a sustainable future.”
Padma Shri Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), highlighted the crucial interplay between industry, government, and scientific innovation. He remarked, “THRIVE 2025 marks a significant step toward transforming the Thar ecoregion. To drive sustainable development, we need the right policies, industry collaboration, entrepreneurial spirit, government support, and scientific innovation. This platform will create opportunities to harness startups, innovations, and entrepreneurship for a resilient and prosperous future.”
Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog and the Chief Guest of the event, underscored the importance of blending technology, research, and entrepreneurship to unlock the region’s potential. He asserted, “Transforming the Thar region requires a synergy of innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship. THRIVE 2025 is a crucial step towards harnessing the region’s potential through sustainable energy, water security, and resilient infrastructure. By leveraging cutting-edge research and industrial collaboration, we can turn challenges into opportunities and establish Thar as a model for sustainable development in arid regions. The successful implementation of solar-powered microgrids, innovative water harvesting systems, and climate-resilient infrastructure showcased here demonstrates how technology and entrepreneurship can uplift communities and create lasting socio-economic impact.”
The event featured an insightful session where Dr. Saraswat elaborated on how technological advancements can revolutionize arid landscapes. Accompanied by visual presentations, he showcased successful models of renewable energy systems, water conservation projects, and infrastructure innovations tailored for desert ecosystems. Presentation captured the dynamic exchange of ideas, illustrating Dr. Saraswat’s engagement with innovators and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the role of young minds in driving the transformation of the Thar region.
Following the tea session, participants engaged in vibrant discussions across various thematic areas including renewable energy integration, advanced water management systems, AI-driven precision agriculture, and sustainable urban planning for arid zones. Thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and researchers collaboratively explored actionable pathways to implement these solutions at scale. The exchange of ideas fostered new partnerships and reinforced the shared commitment to building a resilient, self-sustaining Thar region.
The first day concluded with a strong sense of direction and optimism, driven by the collective resolve to turn the Thar region into a thriving hub of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship. The conversations and collaborations laid the groundwork for impactful solutions that will shape a brighter, more resilient future for the region.
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