Here’s what PM Modi has to say on tech innovation in India – Times of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has heaped praise on technology innovation in India and at the same time, underlined the need for appropriate disposal of e-waste to reduce its impact on the environment.
In his ‘Mann ki Baat’ episode, Modi hailed the significant rise in patents in India over the last few years and appreciated the role of Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in innovation and research.
“It is a matter of joy and pride for us that in the year 2022, there have been a total of 145 patents in the name of this institute (IISc). This means — two patents every five days… I would like to congratulate the team of IISc for this success. Today India’s ranking is 7th in patent filing and 5th in trademarks,” he said.

Modi noted that there has been a 50% increase in the number of patents registered in the last five years, thereby improving the country’s ranking in the Global Innovation Index.
He also stated that in the Global Innovation Index, India has moved to the 40th position from 80th in 2015. India is also the top innovation economy in the lower middle-income group as well as in the Central and Southern Asia nations group.

PM cautions on increasing e-waste
PM Modi also said that the technology boom in India is the increasing e-waste and it has to be disposed of in the right manner.
“Today devices like mobile phones, laptops, tablets have become common in every household. Their number will be in billions across the country. Today’s latest devices are also the e-waste of the future. Whenever someone buys a new device or replaces one’s old device, it becomes necessary to keep in mind whether it is discarded properly or not. If e-waste is not disposed of in the right manner it can cause harm to the environment,” he said.
Modi also noted that 17 kinds of precious metals, including gold, silver, copper and nickel, can be extracted from e-waste through different processes.