On the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, Hon. Union Minister for Communications and DoNER, Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated the VTU-VRIF Telecom Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. A joint initiative of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), the Telecom Centre of Excellence (TCOE) India, and the VRIF ecosystem, the Centre is poised to become a hub for cutting-edge research in 5G, 6G, AI, quantum communications, and telecom security. Paying rich tribute to India’s guru-shishya tradition, the Minister emphasized the importance of blending academic rigor with innovation, industry linkages, and national service.

Honoring Gurus, Engineering Legacy & India’s Knowledge Ethos

Paying homage to India’s timeless guru-shishya tradition, the minister said, “This is not just an inauguration, it is a tribute to every guru who lights the path for generations to come.”  The minister reflected on the transformative role of teachers across one’s life journey from school to global institutions like Harvard and Stanford and underscored the deeper values of moolya and siddhant imparted by gurus. In a powerful personal anecdote, the minister recounted how his great-grandfather, Madhorao Scindia I, collaborated with Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya over a century ago to bring pioneering dam technology to Gwalior, establishing a generational link with the legendary engineer and namesake of VTU.

India’s Telecom Leap & Bengaluru’s Role in the Innovation Revolution

Calling the Centre a “lighthouse of learning,” Shri Scindia lauded VTU as a national innovation engine, uniquely positioned at the intersection of academia, startups, and telecom industry leaders. The minister applauded the university’s focus on cutting-edge domains like 5G, 6G, quantum communication, AI, and secure telecom infrastructure, asserting that India is not just catching up but preparing to lead the global tech curve. “We walked behind the world in 4G, walked with the world in 5G, but we will lead the world in 6G,” he said, reaffirming the government’s vision to contribute 10% of global 6G patents. The Minister emphasized that the Centre aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a facilitative, innovation-driven government and urged students to “stretch your imagination, break things, build better things, not just for business, but for Bharat.”

Showcasing Young Bharat’s Brilliance in Innovation

During the visit, the Minister toured an impressive exhibition showcasing innovations by young minds, ranging from teenagers to college students in their early twenties. From breakthroughs in medical technology to solutions in defense, and immersive applications in AR/VR and telecom, the exhibits reflected the depth and diversity of India’s emerging tech talent. Shri Scindia engaged warmly with the innovators, applauding their creativity and conviction. Visibly moved, he remarked that the passion and ingenuity of these young changemakers reaffirm his faith in a future where India will not just adopt, but define, the next wave of global technology.

 

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(Release ID: 2143694)