Pune, Jun 23 (Reporter) Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, on Sunday called for finding local solutions for domestic problems and mining data for innovations as Indian spectrum and even human phenotype are different from the rest of the world. Addressing sixth national convention of Vigyan Bharati (ViBha) at MIT-ADT University here, he said, "Indian phenotype is different, our DNA differs from the rest of the world, hence some diseases prevail more in India. To counter these, we need an integrated and holistic approach and a combination of our traditional knowledge and modern medicines." Dr Singh, himself a renowned Diabetologist, observed that "in our country there is high prevalence of central obesity, visceral obesity which is known to be a risk factor for metabolic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, which signifies that we should have a separate data on health." He said that the Science & Technology department has started ‘Traditional Knowledge Digital library’ to achieve the best of both worlds. He claimed that people from advanced countries used to reach out to him for any Ayurvedic remedy or cure during Covid times. The developed nations have accepted that India has become a frontline nation, he further claimed. Highlighting the progress in Science & Technology in the last decade, Dr Singh said, “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014, we have received ample support, and any positive suggestion kept forward was always welcomed.” Highlighting innovation and R&D activities, the MoS shared that India clinched from 81st position in 2014 to 40th position in Global Innovation Index. The world has recognised that India now stands third in global startups, he said while tracing India’s scientific revolution from 350 startups in 2014 to nearly 1.5 lakh in 2024. Talking about the success of India’s new Space policy which opened the space sector for private players, he said, “We had only one startup in 2022 and now we have around 200 startups in 2024.” He also stated that India ranked on number three in the highest number of PhDs in Science. Speaking on India’s rich marine resources and 7,500-km-long coastline, the Minister for Earth Sciences expressed his confidence that the deep sea mission will make India biggest contributors to the blue economy and biggest exporters of fisheries, he added...////...