Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday used his "Mann Ki Baat" radio programme's last telecast of the year to put forth yet another of his initiatives, this time reaching out to young entrepreneurs. He said the government would launch the action plan for "Start-up India, Stand-up India" on 16 January, 2016.
"After I spoke about it, the matter was conveyed to all departments of the government, who took it up for discussion. Can India become the 'Start-up Capital' of the world? Can the states help the youth build start-ups, and with new start-ups, new innovations?" he said during the speech.
"Be it manufacturing or the services sector, no everything requires novelty, new technique, fresh thinking. The world cannot progress without innovation," he said, adding that "Start-up India, Stand-up India" would bring the youth a huge opportunity in this regard.
As for the 16 January action plan launch, Modi said: "The launch will rope in IITs, IIMs, central universities, NITs — basically anywhere with youth presence."
Modi went on to disabuse the notion that start-ups only concern the digital world or the information technology (IT) sector. "The notion should change with India's need for start-ups. If some youth comes up with an innovation that helps a person burdened with hard labour, I consider it a start-up as well! I would ask banks to help such youngsters, and tell the youngsters to bravely surge ahead, and the market will open up for them," said the prime minister.
He also asked why knowledge and intellect were limited to only some cities in India. "There is talent in each corner of India, awaiting opportunities. 'Start-up India, Stand-up India' should not be limited to some pockets, but spread to every nook and cranny of the country," said Modi, urging states do their bit for this policy, which , something he had first touched upon in his speech on 15 August, 2015.
"I will speak at length on this on 16 January," he said, adding that suggestions were always welcome.
