IT Correspondent
Mumbai, Jan 10:
As part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the first ever Startup India innovation week, has been organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) till January 16, to showcase the spread and depth of entrepreneurship across India.
The goal of the startup and innovation festival is to bring together the country’s key startups, entrepreneurs, investors, incubators, funding entities, banks, policymakers, and other national/international stakeholders to celebrate entrepreneurship and promote innovation. The week seeks to exchange knowledge on nurturing startup ecosystems, to develop entrepreneurial ecosystem capacities, to mobilise global and domestic capital for startup investments; to encourage and inspire the youth for innovation and entrepreneurship and to showcase high-quality, high-technology, and frugal innovations from India.
With participation of States/UTs and various departments of Government of India, the week-long programme will address key aspects of the startup ecosystem through interactive sessions, workshops, and presentations based on themes such as Academia & Mentorship Support to Startups, Incubation and Acceleration Support to Startups, Market Access through Corporates & Government to Startups, and Funding & International Avenues to Go Global. In addition, based on the identified themes, there will be various parallel activities such as Experience Booths, Pitching or Reverse Pitching Sessions, and Innovation Showcases.
India is emerging as a global innovation hub, boasting the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem. DPIIT has recognised more than 61,000 startups as on date. Our startups representing 55 industries, spread across 633 districts with at least one startup from every State and UT of the country have created over 6 lakh jobs since 2016. 45% of the startups are from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and 45% of them are represented by women entrepreneurs. Startups have the potential to accelerate India’s integration into global value chains and create global impact.
Highlights of the week-long celebration are: Prime Minister’s interaction with start-ups, the declaration of National Startup Awards 2021, Launch of Doordarshan Startup Champions 2.0 show, Roundtable with Global Investors and domestic funds, Launch of Open Network for Digital Commerce Digital Strategy.
Participation by Ministry of Education, Niti Aayog, Office of PSA, DBT, DST, MeitY, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, among other departments, in various sessions. Launch of ‘Fisheries Startup Grand Challenge’ by Department of Fisheries and Pitching sessions and corporate connect programs for startups from across the country.
Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) week
Similarly the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) is celebrating the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, iconic week till January 16. The MHI is focused on developing a globally competitive, green and technology-driven manufacturing sector including automotive and capital goods sector, which propels growth and job creation.
As part of the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsava, the MHI in association with its Central Public Sector Enterprises and autonomous bodies has planned series of events and activities across the country including at Haridwar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Jhansi, Pune, Hyderabad etc during the iconic week.
The events will take place at Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), Pune, Andrew Yule & Company Ltd. (AYCL), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), Braithwaite Burn & Jessop Construction Co. Ltd. (BBJ), Kolkata, Bridge & Roof Ltd. (B&R), Kolkata, Cement Corporation of India Ltd. (CCI), Central Manufacturing Institute of India (CMTI), Bengaluru, Engineering Projects (India) Ltd. (EPIL), Fluid Control Research Institute (FCRI), Palakkad, Hindustan Machine Tools Ltd. (HMT), Hindustan Salts Ltd. / Sambhar Salts Ltd. (HSL/SSL), Rajasthan etc.
The focus is on the themes of Actions@75, Achievements@75, Ideas@75, Resolve@75 and Freedom Struggle in areas of Innovation, Manufacturing Excellence, Atamanirbhar Bharat, Environment & Sustainability, Swachha Bharat, Swastha Bharat, Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle etc. The events include Inaugurations, New Product launches, Technology Demonstrations, Technical Exhibitions, Seminars, Webinars, Expert Lectures, Yoga and Meditation sessions, Health Camps, Cleanliness Drives, Competitions on Freedom Struggle and Movements, etc
Thrust is on following “Whole of Government Approach” and people’s participation i.e “Janbhagidari” in the events and activities in the week-long celebrations. Directions have been issued to ensure Covid-19 social distancing & hygiene protocols during the events and activities. Thrust is being given to leverage Information Technology and Virtual modes for organizing the events/activities.
