Jharkhand has abundant natural resources. It has coal, iron ore, and other minerals. But it has not been able to utilize its potential and become a developed state. The state has a long history of political instability and corruption. This has led to underdevelopment and poverty.

In recent years, there has been some progress in terms of infrastructure development and industrialization. However, much more needs to be done. The state government needs to focus on attracting investment, creating jobs, and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

The state needs to learn from the example of Denmark.

Denmark is a small country with a population of just 5.8 million. However, it has one of the highest standards of living in the world. This is due to its strong economy, which is based on innovation and exports.One of the most successful companies in Denmark is Novo Nordisk. This company is a world leader in the production of diabetes and obesity medications.

In 2017, Novo Nordisk's market capitalization surpassed the GDP of Denmark. This shows the immense impact that a single company can have on a country's economy. Jharkhand needs to create an environment that is conducive to the growth of businesses and industries. This will help to attract investment and create jobs. The state government should also focus on improving education and healthcare. This will help to create a skilled workforce and improve the health of the population.IfJharkhand can learn from the example of Denmark, it can become a prosperous and developed state.

In 2021, India received over $35 billion in foreign investment, followed by $24 billion in 2022. A significant portion of this funding came from international investors. India has also witnessed a surge in the number of unicorns (startups valued at $1 billion or more). As of November 2022, India was home to 115 unicorns, making it a global leader with one out of every 13 unicorns originating from the country. Many of these unicorns have become industry pioneers.

Across India, numerous technology-based startups are emerging. A unicorn, representing a company valued at around ₹7500 crores, is a common sight. India boasts approximately 115 such startups, directly or indirectly employing around 2.84 million people.

The new narrative is that the youth should transition from being 'job seekers' to 'job creators'. However, the question arises: Which states are leading this transformation? Which regions are benefiting the most? Is this a topic of discussion in the ongoing Jharkhand elections?

Similarly, consider the technology of artificial intelligence (AI). AI has revolutionized the world, with countries like the United States and China pioneering its development for decades. The technology itself is not a mystery; it is driven by advanced chips. Taiwan's TSMC alone produces 62% of the world's chips. Despite being a small country (91 times smaller than India, roughly the size of Kerala with a population like Haryana), TSMC's dominance in the semiconductor industry is remarkable. Chris Miller's book, 'Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology', offers a fascinating insight into this.

Jharkhand's conscious voters or people who take pride in their state's natural resources—water, forests, land, minerals, and abundant natural wealth—should ponder: What has Jharkhand achieved on the global stage due to human efforts? This election is an opportune moment for introspection. While smaller countries are shaping the world's future, where does Jharkhand stand in terms of entrepreneurship, hard work, determination, and vision? Do political parties have a vision to nurture and support this potential?

Today, India is at the forefront of technological advancements, alongside companies like Taiwan's TSMC and Samsung. These entities are driving critical technological developments. They are working on NM chip design. This technology will disrupt the world with its transformative effects. But are there any concerns, interests, or questions about this in our political discourse? Has this ever been discussed in the Jharkhand Assembly? Is there a possibility of it happening in the future, after the elections? 

Not only that, but the advance booking of this chip-making machine has been done for the next 15-20 years. If you prepare today, you might get this chip-making machine after 15-20 years. By then, the world will be far ahead with this chip and the machine that makes it. What will be the strategy of a state like Jharkhand in this competition? Because now, new opportunities will revolve around these new technological changes, not the coal industry.

There is a company in the Netherlands that supplies chip-making machines to Taiwan. That is NVIDIA. Its international share price had stunned the world. Samsung is also a chip-making company. For the next few decades, these companies will have a monopoly on 3nm chip production. Every state in India that thinks about the 'future' is active and eager, but where is Jharkhand? Where will we be in the future? We need to think about it.

It is noteworthy that the Netherlands, a country 79 times smaller than India, (its companies) make the machines that make chips. Maharashtra is 7.41 times larger than the Netherlands. Arunachal is twice as big as this country. A company from this country, which is as big as Chennai-Ooty, buys chip-making machines from the world. Each machine costs $100 million.

This era of the world is of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, robotics, internet of things, blockchains, cloud computing, 3D printing, superconductors, etc. Most states in the country are in a race to increase opportunities and create jobs in their respective states with these latest technologies in the world, to improve the lives of the people and the future of future generations. What opportunities are there for Jharkhand in these areas? 

Could there be a better opportunity than this assembly election to consult, discuss, and have a public discourse on this? In other sectors, startup companies are a saviour, they are not only creating new jobs, but also they are on the verge of becoming a center of attraction for the world. For example, the Indian Army has received its first suicide drone (Nagastra 1). 

This unmanned drone, made in India, was created by Nagpur's Solar Industries. Earlier, the Indian Army was forced to buy such drones from foreign firms at high prices. This indigenous technology is 75% cheaper (Source, 'DainikBhaskar', June 15, 2024).

Are the MSMEs of Jharkhand, where the most jobs are created, any less in terms of talent, skill, and expertise? No, but have they received the right ecosystem and ease of doing business environment?

In the last two years, the number of startups associated with the space sector has increased 200 times in India. Recently, Chennai-based startup Agnikul Cosmos launched the world's first 3D-printed rocket, Agnibaan Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator. It is powered entirely by a 3D-printed engine. It is completely indigenously designed and manufactured.

The space sector has directly contributed approximately Rs 20,000 crore to the country's GDP in the last decade. An investment of Rs 1.09 lakh crore has been made in the development of the space sector in 10 years. At the same time, this sector has added about Rs 5 lakh crore to the country's GDP. 

This space mission of the country has provided jobs to 47 lakh people directly and indirectly in the last ten years, in addition to contributing to the economy. This sector provides direct employment to 96,000 people in the government and private sectors. Additionally, successful space projects have given the Indian space sector prestige at the national and international levels.

Does the state government have a vision to increase research in this new field, encourage young scientists to start startups, by taking the initiative and talking to the center in the top educational institutions of Jharkhand like BIT (Sindri), BIT (Mesra), NIT (Jamshedpur), etc.?

The world is going through a period where opportunities are raining down and economic prosperity is being made possible through the invention of new technologies. Earlier, ideologies used to change and influence the world, but this era is the beginning of a new age.

Translated by Santosh Deepak 

Courtesy : Dainik Bhaskar

Edited by Smita DeyTarafder

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