Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday stated that India's design sector requires a framework similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to connect creative talent with commercial opportunities. He advocated for the establishment of a dedicated vertical at the National Institute of Design (NID) in Gandhinagar to bridge the gap between design education and industry demands.
Inauguration of Incubation Centre
Addressing students and faculty after inaugurating the Incubation and Innovation Centre at NID, Shah emphasized that design will become a strong career option only when linked with financial and market opportunities. He praised the centre's establishment but stressed the need to connect design students with industry requirements and financial prospects.
Proposed Vertical for Commercialization
Shah suggested that the proposed vertical should focus on commercialization. He noted that institutions like NID already possess robust design expertise but require mechanisms to align creativity with market demand. "I think this can only happen if you create a separate vertical for it, because the people here are designers and not experts in commercialization. NID will have to bring these two together," he said.
IPL as a Model
Drawing a parallel with cricket, Shah highlighted how the sport became a viable career after commercial opportunities expanded through the IPL model. "After the IPL, parents now tell children to play cricket because they can build a future from it. In the same way, the commercial potential of design has to be explored fully," he remarked.
Expansion into High-Tech Sectors
Shah also urged the design sector to expand into high-tech areas such as semiconductors, microchips, automobiles, and industrial infrastructure. He underscored the importance of integrating design expertise with these advanced fields to enhance career prospects and economic growth.
