Bhubaneswar, Aug 22: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasized the pivotal role of critical minerals in shaping Odisha’s mineral-based economy.

In his article titled “Bharatiya Samruddhi O Odisha”, published in a leading Odia daily, Pradhan outlined a vision where the state’s development is anchored in energy and mineral sectors, with a strong focus on green energy production including solar power, green hydrogen, and bio-ethanol.

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The Minister highlighted that the recently launched Critical Mineral Mission by the Narendra Modi government presents a golden opportunity for Odisha, given its rich natural resources. According to Pradhan, Odisha has consistently emerged as a role model for other states by embracing new ideas, perspectives, and bold initiatives. The state’s skilled human capital and abundant natural wealth can be harnessed to build a futuristic economy.

Pradhan also stressed the importance of education in regional languages under the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), which he believes will foster innovation and creativity among Odisha’s students. He mentioned the upcoming establishment of India’s first Utkarsha Kendra in Bhubaneswar and hinted at future national institutions like National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) being set up in the state.

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Odisha’s drone technology has gained national recognition, especially for its contribution to Operation Sindoor. Pradhan sees this as a testament to the state’s growing tech capabilities.

In agriculture, Pradhan envisions a transformative role for Agri-Tech, where technologies like drones, IoT, AI, and agricultural data analytics will empower farmers and expand the scope of digital farming across the state.