In a landmark moment for Vidarbha’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the Indian Council for Technical Research and Development (ICTRD) Secretariat Building and Startup Incubation Centre at Adarsh Nagar Ground, Trimurti Nagar, Nagpur, on 5th July 2025. This pivotal step is set to accelerate regional development through grassroots innovation, skill enhancement, and research-driven entrepreneurship.
Nitin Gadkari Emphasizes Innovation-Driven Development
During his address, Nitin Gadkari stressed the importance of transforming Indian youth from job seekers into job creators, citing India’s growing startup base of over 1.8 lakh ventures. He highlighted ICTRD as a model institution for grassroots innovation, skill development, and technology-led growth. He also mentioned Vidarbha’s potential to become a ₹10,000 crore orange economy, and shared that ICTRD’s vision stemmed from earlier discussions with Smt. Nanda Jichkar, the former Mayor of Nagpur. He commended the collaborative efforts that turned this vision into reality and called ICTRD a crucial pillar in Vidarbha’s progress.
Dr. Ketan Mohitkar’s Vision Behind ICTRD’s Growth
Dr. Ketan Mohitkar, Member Secretary of ICTRD, welcomed the dignitaries and thanked Shri Gadkari for his continued support. With over 15 years of experience in technology, startups, and public service, Dr. Mohitkar has been a key architect of ICTRD’s infrastructure and mission. He outlined ICTRD’s goals to foster innovation, research, entrepreneurship, and skill development, especially among the region’s youth. Gadkari lauded Dr. Mohitkar’s commitment, referring to him as the driving force behind ICTRD’s achievements.
Esteemed Guests Grace the Occasion
The event saw the presence of several prominent personalities, including Ajay Sancheti (Former Rajya Sabha MP), Dr. Vikas Mahatme (Padma Shri Awardee & Former MP), Sanjay Bhende (President, Nagpur Nagrik Sahakari Bank), Nanda Jichkar (Former Mayor), CA Milind Kanade, Dr. Yogesh Bonde, Dr. Ashish Sasankar, and others. The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Rajesh Gadewar, who appreciated the dedication of the ICTRD team and reaffirmed support for region-centric development.
A Celebration of Innovation, Culture, and Community
The inaugural ceremony concluded with a grand dinner and live music performances, adding a festive spirit to the evening. Attendees had the opportunity to network and exchange ideas in a celebratory atmosphere. The newly inaugurated Startup Incubation Centre aims to provide mentorship, research support, training programs, and incubation services to emerging entrepreneurs, researchers, and students.
