National Summit, sixty second in series, on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat: Vision of New India.

Guests of Honour

* Shri Prahlad Singh Patel

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti

* His Excellency Shri Asein Isaev

Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic in India

* Smt Rekha Sharma

Chairperson, National Commission for Women

Special Guests

* Shri Gajendra Singh

Member, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board

* Shri Kapil Kaul

President, Indo American Chamber of Commerce

Organiser of the Event

* Shri Harish Chandra

President, Indian Achievers’ Forum
* Shri S Ravishankar

Secretary, Indian Achievers Forum

Ladies and Gentlemen

A warm Namaskar to all of you!

I am extremely happy to have joined this national summit, sixty second in series, on ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat: Vision of New India.’

In fact, the pace of making India self-reliant has picked up momentum thanks to our collective efforts and visionary leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji.

I extend warm congratulations to all awardees. I can sense the trust you all have in the future of this great country. The belief that India can help me achieve my dream!

In the past few years, you have seen the tremendous opportunities that have opened up for people who want to be entrepreneurs. Today India has become the third largest startup ecosystem in the world after the US and China.

Sustained government efforts have resulted in increasing the number of recognized startups from seven hundred twenty six in 2016-17 to sixty five thousand eight hundred and sixty one in 2021-22.

As per the 6th Economic Census, India has 58.5 million entrepreneurs. The Government of India has established the Fund of Funds for Startups with a corpus of rupees ten thousand crore to meet their funding needs.

You would be glad to know that NITI Aayog has also launched the Women Entrepreneurship Platform, a one-of-its-kind unified information portal. It strives to improve industry linkages and awareness of existing programs and services.

I am pretty sure that many of you have benefitted from various schemes like Startup India, Standup India and Make in India.

Thanks to remarkable improvement in the ease of doing business, the job creation has gone up significantly in our manufacturing sector.

As per Economic Survey 2021-22, the total employment in the manufacturing sector has increased from 57 million in 2017-18 to 62.4 million in the year 2019-20.

Needless to say that we are marching fast towards self-reliance. However, there should be no room for complacency at all. The dream to be different, innovative and exemplary is what makes you stand out among the population.

As an achiever, you have a responsibility towards the next generation. It would be best if you motivate them to become like you or even better than you. That is the journey each one of you must undertake simultaneously as you grow in your business.

Ladies and Gentlemen, India is transforming today, and each of you has an important role to play. There is a change in our mindset from ‘can do’ to ‘will do.’ And this has been possible because of the kind of ecosystem which has been created in the country in the past eight years.

I am happy to share that your neighbouring state of Haryana is positioning itself as a vibrant hub of startups in the country.

In the past over a year as the Governor of Haryana, I have understood the state so closely. The people are facilitators and supporters of entrepreneurs. It is a rare quality.

I am impressed by how the state government under Chief Minister Shri Manohar Lal ji has unlocked its huge potential by taking several innovative measures, and putting Haryana on the road to self-reliance.

Only recently the State Cabinet approved a new Startup Policy aimed at nurturing a vibrant startup ecosystem in the state to stimulate independent thinking and innovative ideas.

I urge you all to explore the state by joining hands with the youth of Haryana to expand your skills and business further.

Infrastructure upgradation and expansion is one of the five pillars of Atma Nirbhar Bharat. When I was a Union Minister, I saw various phases of India’s growth.

We saw multi-sectoral development during the six-year-long Prime Ministership of Bharat Ratna Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji. There was tremendous progress in rail, air, telecom, and road connectivity.

I am happy to say that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji is taking India to the next level of development by following the vision of Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ji. The goal of Atma Nirbhar Bharat is being accomplished in a mission mode of which every citizen of the country is a partner.

Ladies and Gentlemen, as I would like to conclude now, there are a few important things for us to reflect upon with all seriousness.

Inclusivity is an important aspect of sustainable self-reliance. Empowerment of weaker sections of society – OBCs, SCs, STs and minority community people – is very important. Each of you must go the extra mile in supplementing government efforts to ensure that no one is left out.

The development strategy should help us achieve broad-based economic growth to ensure balanced progress across all regions, States, and sectors, and social groups. It will help us build an Atma Nirbhar Bharat in true sense.

It is now your turn to work for a prosperous and inclusive new India. As achievers, you have overcome several odds and failures. That is your biggest achievement. I am sure each of you will meaningfully contribute towards making India Atma Nirbhar. I wish you all good luck!

Thank You! Jai Hind!