Prime Minister Modi Highlights Export Growth and Deep-Tech Innovations in Mann Ki Baat

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the economic potential of local products, agricultural value addition, traditional textiles, and deep-tech innovation during the 139th episode of his monthly radio programme, Mann Ki Baat. The broadcast also marked 12 years since its inception.

During the address, Modi urged listeners to prioritize products made by local artisans during the festive season ahead of Diwali and Chhath, noting that the 'Vocal for Local' movement is expanding the global reach of Indian goods. Citing specific examples of agricultural exports, he stated that makhana from Purnia in Bihar is now reaching Greece, while arhar dal from Kalaburagi in Karnataka is being exported to the Maldives.

Highlighting scientific and technological advancements, Modi referred to his recent visit to Chennai, where he inaugurated the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre at IIT Madras. The facility features a brain-imaging platform aimed at mapping and studying 100 human brains in minute detail using the Param Shakti supercomputer. The project is supported by industry, academia, and IIT alumni, and its generated data will be made available as an open-source resource for research.

During his interaction with startups at IIT Madras, Modi engaged with ventures working on gold-quality verification to prevent fraud, faster recovery of money lost to bank fraud, and AI-assisted screening for cervical cancer. He also reviewed deep-tech ventures supported by the institute's incubation ecosystem, which include an electric vehicle capable of flying over the sea, fast-charging batteries for drones and electric vehicles, and AI applications in defence.

The Prime Minister also touched upon packaging innovations and rural livelihood initiatives. He cited Maharashtra's Shabari Naturals initiative, which markets tribal honey, mahua, chironji, and bamboo-based items in packaging that reflects tribal art and recently received Japan's Good Design Award. Additionally, he noted a Karnataka startup manufacturing packaging material from bamboo and agricultural residue.

In the traditional sector, Modi reported that sales of Khadi Gram Udyog products exceeded ₹28 crore in a single day on Gandhi Jayanti this year, marking an increase of ₹1.5 crore compared to the previous year. On rural livelihoods, he highlighted Nav-Trinjan, an initiative by Punjab's Kheti Virasat Mission promoting organic cotton cultivation and supporting women through a weaving school in the Malwa region.

"Prime Minister Modi's mention of deep-tech ventures and institutional incubation ecosystems underscores the growing maturity of India's startup landscape. When academic institutions like IIT Madras actively support innovations in artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and biotechnology, it creates a robust pipeline for commercializable technology. Furthermore, the focus on expanding global markets for local agricultural products and traditional goods demonstrates how grassroots entrepreneurship can scale internationally, offering valuable lessons in value addition and packaging for emerging enterprises." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes