Union Minister Envisions Self-Reliant India Through Waste Recycling

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh advocates for reduced dependency on imported petroleum and a shift towards recycling to achieve a self-sufficient India. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum, he outlined the nation's strides in waste recycling as key steps towards realizing the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, emphasized India's heavy reliance on imported petroleum and presented a bold vision for a more self-sufficient and environmentally sustainable future. Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum on Saturday, Singh noted that 86 percent of the nation's fuel consumption comes from petrol imported from other countries. 'We are able to recycle 25 percent plastic waste, 25 percent biomass, and the rest of the carbon dioxide,' he said.

Singh highlighted the progress India is making in reducing this dependence through innovative recycling methods. He framed this shift as crucial to achieving the goals of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, an initiative aimed at reducing import dependency and boosting domestic production.

'We would become non-dependent on petroleum sources,' Singh added, explaining that this would help fulfill the Atma Nirbhar Bharat concept, making India more self-sufficient and independent. He also discussed the broader implications of this transition for the global economy, predicting a fundamental shift in economic paradigms. 'Your future economy will largely depend on what you are wasting,' he noted, emphasizing the transformative potential of recycling in creating new economic opportunities and reducing environmental impact.

(With inputs from agencies.)