States » EastPosted at: Sep 19 2026 5:36PM


Bihar CM launches national innovation challenge, pitches innovation-led growth

Patna, Sep 19 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Saturday launched the National Innovation Challenge, pitching innovation, technology and entrepreneurship as key drivers of the state's development journey and calling for concerted efforts to turn its young population into a force for economic growth.
Choudhary launched the National Innovation Challenge portal as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and flagged off 25 vehicles under the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Car Rally.
He also visited an innovation exhibition and interacted with young entrepreneurs, examining their startup products and seeking details about their innovations.
Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said the goal of building a developed India by 2047 would require collective efforts, adding that service, innovation, technology and entrepreneurship would play a significant role in Bihar''s development.
He said initiatives such as the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan and Seva First Innovation Challenge (East Zone) were aimed at encouraging a spirit of service, innovative thinking and new ideas among the youth.
"Technology is being continuously used to make the lives of ordinary people simpler and more convenient," he said.
Choudhary said the state government had provided financial assistance through direct benefit transfer (DBT) to nine lakh flood-affected families, with the money transferred directly into their bank accounts.
Highlighting the role of digital technology, he said India had emerged as the world''s largest user of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which had brought a major transformation in digital transactions.
On industrial development, Choudhary said Bihar had created an industrial environment and land had so far been made available to around 1,000 industries. The government has set a target of establishing 10,000 industries in the state over the next five years, he said.
He said around 12 lakh people from Bihar were currently going outside the state for wage employment and asserted that the government''s objective was to create sufficient employment opportunities within Bihar by encouraging industries and entrepreneurs.
"Bihar's young entrepreneurs can change the direction of the state with new startups. The state government will extend all possible support to their efforts," he said.
On education, the Chief Minister said the government was working at a rapid pace and claimed that 700 Saraswati Vidya Niketan model schools had been established.
He said the Vidyarthi Saathi app provided access to live classes and preparation for NEET and JEE examinations. Round-the-clock online tutoring and mentorship facilities were also being made available to students and young people, he added.
Emphasising women's empowerment, Choudhary said women would have a crucial role in building a prosperous Bihar.
The government has set a target of making one crore women Lakhpati Didis, he said.
The Chief Minister said youth energy, technological capabilities and entrepreneurship needed to be brought together to accelerate Bihar''s development.
"The objective is to build a Bihar where, alongside service, new opportunities for innovation, employment and industry continue to emerge," he said.
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Tags: #Bihar CM launches national innovation challenge# pitches innovation-led growth
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