India Must Back Risk-Taking Startup Founders for Self-Reliance: Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala

15 Oct 2026, 4:47 pm · 6h ago · 1 min read · YourStory

India possesses the talent to develop any technology globally but must actively support young startup founders to achieve self-reliance, stated Professor Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Institute Professor at IIT Madras. Speaking at TechSparks 2026, the Padma Shri recipient highlighted a paradox: while Indian engineers build world-class software, the country still imports most physical products. Jhunjhunwala called for restructuring technical education by shifting focus from exam memorization to hands-on product engineering and urged the nation to empower young entrepreneurs as genuine risk-takers capable of solving local and domestic industry challenges.