Nagpur | March 18, 2026
Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) in collaboration with PG Dept of Education, RTMNU held a high-impact round table on “Emerging India: The Role of Nagpur in Achieving Viksit Bharat 2047” at Nagpur University’s Department of Education. The round table aimed to define how Nagpur and other Tier-II cities can serve as engines of India’s progress toward Viksit Bharat 2047. Highlighting projections that nearly 50% of the nation’s future GDP growth will come from Tier-II and Tier-III cities by 2035, and noting the vital rise of startups beyond metros, the discussion focused on fast-tracking regional innovation and growth. The round table brought together over 40 experts from startups, academia, healthcare, governance, mental health, and industry. Participants offered insights and practical recommendations. These contributions form part of a collective roadmap to make Nagpur central to India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 drive.
The event was inaugurated by Neeta Rajendra Thakare, Mayor of Nagpur. Among the prominent dignitaries present were Vikas Mahatme, Padma Shri awardee and former Member of the Rajya Sabha; Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of ICTRD; Ashish Sasankar, Chairman of the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development(ICTRD); Rajesh Gadewar, former Pro-Vice- Chancellor; Rajashri Vaishnav, Dean of Interdisciplinary Studies at RTM Nagpur University; Sunanda Bajaj, Assistant Commissioner, District Skill Development; Pallavi Dhatrak, Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Services; Shivaji Dhavad from IIM Nagpur; and Baliram Sutar representing Nagpur Police, along with experts and dignitaries from diverse sectors. The session was moderated and hosted by Siddharth Roy, Director of Communications at ICTRD.
In her inaugural address, Neeta Rajendra Thakare, Mayor of Nagpur, emphasised that achieving the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 requires a unified and collaborative approach among government, academia, and industry. She noted that scientific advancement and economic growth must progress together and appreciated the role of the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) in fostering innovation and supporting the startup ecosystem in the region. In his opening remarks, Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of ICTRD, highlighted the organisation’s expanding engagement with innovators, educators, and policy stakeholders, noting that ICTRD has already connected with over 1,600 citizens through participatory platforms and innovation dialogues while working to build a stronger ecosystem for research, startups, and skill development. Vikas Mahatme, Padma Shri awardee and former Member of the Rajya Sabha, reflected on the importance of individual growth in nation-building, remarking that the journey toward a developed India begins with creating a “Viksit Bharatiya,” where self-awareness, continuous learning, and skill development empower citizens to contribute meaningfully to national progress. Ashish Sasankar, Chairman of ICTRD, underscored Nagpur’s strategic potential across sectors such as logistics, healthcare, tourism, and infrastructure, stressing that the vision of Viksit Bharat cannot be realised by government efforts alone but requires strong collaboration among academia, industry, research institutions, and society. Other dignitaries, including Rajesh Gadewar, Rajashri Vaishnav, and representatives from government departments and academic institutions, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the importance of strengthening education systems, promoting skill- based learning, and building an enabling environment that allows regional cities like Nagpur to emerge as major centres of innovation and economic growth.
During the session, ICTRD also presented an overview of its expanding national outreach. The organisation has engaged more than 1,600 citizens through presentations, prototypes, and participatory platforms aimed at encouraging innovation and policy dialogue. Over 500 innovators associated with ICTRD initiatives have also participated in previous discussions with the Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, reflecting the growing engagement between grassroots innovators and policymaking platforms. ICTRD currently brings together more than 350 expert members from diverse professional fields and is working toward establishing dedicated innovation campuses to strengthen research, incubation, and skill
development ecosystems.
The roundtable further highlighted Nagpur’s growing strategic importance as a logistics and knowledge hub in central India. Participants noted that the city possesses strong potential to emerge as a centre for research, innovation, and enterprise if supported by collaborative institutional frameworks and forward-looking policy support.
Beyond dialogue, the roundtable sought to translate ideas into action by mobilising policymakers, educators, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders toward a shared roadmap for the region’s development. Participants agreed that platforms fostering open exchange of ideas and collaborative thinking are essential for shaping policies and initiatives that can drive inclusive growth.
