Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized the state’s dedication to nurturing the talent and creativity of young individuals during the launch of the new Incubation and Innovation Centre at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Gandhinagar. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, and BJP state president Jagdish Vishwakarma. Patel highlighted the crucial role of creativity, innovation, and design in enhancing global competitiveness in the 21st century.
The Chief Minister praised NID as a symbol of India’s creative prowess and expressed confidence that the newly opened center would inspire budding designers and innovators. He underscored the state government’s support for the entrepreneurial spirit, citing the significant growth of startups in Gujarat, which currently stands at around 16,000. Patel also acknowledged the state’s recognition as the “Best Performer State” due to its conducive ecosystem for startups.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, Patel credited the transformation of educational institutions into centers of excellence and innovation. He highlighted the impact of the National Institute of Design Act, 2014, which elevated NID to the status of an “Institute of National Importance” under Modi’s leadership. Patel noted the substantial increase in student enrollment at NID over the years, from 35 in 2000 to over 400 in 2025.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the integration of design into key national initiatives like “Make in India,” “Atmanirbhar Bharat,” and “Viksit Bharat,” aligning with PM Modi’s vision of “Design in India, Design for the World.” Recognizing the exponential growth of India’s startup ecosystem, Patel commended NID as a renowned global brand that blends Indian heritage with modern design sensibilities. He expressed optimism that the new incubation and innovation center at NID would serve as a pivotal platform for emerging designers and startups, particularly in evolving sectors.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal, another speaker at the event, underscored the importance of innovation, design thinking, and entrepreneurship in realizing the vision of “Viksit Bharat @2047.” He highlighted India’s position as the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem and encouraged students to focus on cutting-edge sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
