Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently commended the thriving startup ecosystem in India, particularly outside the major metropolitan areas. He noted a remarkable increase of over 200 percent in startup registrations in Nagaland over the past year.
During his latest episode of Mann Ki Baat, he celebrated the expansion of India’s startup landscape, especially in smaller towns and cities. The Prime Minister pointed out that the sectors with the highest growth in startups include waste management, biotechnology, and logistics. “We are observing significant activity in Waste Management, Non-Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, and Logistics,” he remarked.
In addressing this being the 118th episode of Mann Ki Baat and marking nine years of the Startup India initiative, Modi expressed pride that more than half of the new startups launched in the country over the last nine years have originated from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He shared his joy, stating, “It fills every Indian’s heart with pride to see that our startup culture extends beyond just the major urban centers.”
The Prime Minister also emphasized the crucial contributions of women in these enterprises, highlighting that many startups in smaller cities are spearheaded by daughters of India. He reflected on the transformation of the startup culture in the country over the past decade.
“Ten years ago, discussions about pursuing a startup often faced skepticism,” he said. “But today, India’s startup ecosystem stands as a center of innovation and opportunities. I encourage the youth to seize the myriad opportunities emerging across our nation.”
He reminisced about the negativity surrounding startups a decade ago, saying, “Back then, mentioning startups would invite numerous doubts and sarcastic remarks. But look at the significant changes we’ve witnessed in just ten years! I urge everyone to embrace the fresh opportunities being created in India. If you have faith in yourself, your aspirations can reach new heights.”
Additionally, PM Modi highlighted the achievements of an Indian space-tech startup, Pixxel, based in Bengaluru, which has successfully launched ‘Firefly,’ India’s first private satellite constellation. “This constellation boasts the world’s highest resolution hyperspectral imaging capabilities. Recently, our scientists also accomplished a significant milestone by successfully docking satellites in space,” he added.
