New Delhi: Educational institutes are not just mere places of learning. It is the place which polishes the inner and sometimes even hidden talents in each one of us. The curriculum gives us the occasion to introspect within ourselves the purpose, the ambition and hence fulfill our dreams. We are living in an era where innovation and entrepreneurship are appreciated and encouraged. The stories of various unicorns or startups which have been slated to be worth more than one billion have scripted new history. It has opened new avenues as new sectors are coming under the loop of business enterprises.
From food delivery to picking up odd things, all are provided by start-ups and app-based services. Hitherto unexplored territories like education, health etc have also become part of these new enterprises. Such forays can be the game changer for our country. It can be a combination of job provider and revenue earner for our people. Both innovation and entrepreneurship have the ability to not just ease our lives through technology but can also provide employment opportunities to many people. I am sure that the ecosystem at IIM, Nagpur will promote among the students the mindset of becoming job-creators, instead of being job-seekers.
What requires is a spark from bright minds like you to bring these together. It is indeed a mark of appreciation that IIM, Nagpur has established seven Centres of Excellence. I am happy to know that IIM, Nagpur through its Centre for Entrepreneurship has established IIM Nagpur Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (InFED). What is a matter of immense pride is that InFED has successfully enabled women entrepreneurs to graduate from the Women Startup Program and six of them have even launched their enterprises. Such programs provide an effective platform for women empowerment. I strongly believe that our daughters whenever provided an adequate platform always shine to the optimum. It is a true tribute to the land of Savitribai Phule and Dr Anandibai Joshi who were the first few stalwarts in the field of education and medicine. I am happy to know that IIM Nagpur has begun taking steps in the direction of encouraging innovation. It has also assumed the responsibility of being a ‘Regional Innovation Organizer’ which works as a business incubator providing support services for innovation and entrepreneurship. It is through these ventures can we dream of being an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The city of Nagpur is famous for being the place which was chosen by Baba Saheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution for his Deekshasthal. The land of Maharashtra has always been a vibrant social, economic and political centre. It was here that the seeds of the social revolution of Dr Ambedkar were sowed. City of Nagpur is famous for the Zero milestone and hence often considered to be at the center of India. It is also in close vicinity of Sevagram Ashram which was home to Mahatma Gandhi and the place from where much of our freedom struggle was carried forward. Be it political, religious or cultural, the ethnic fabric of the state of Maharashtra has always been rich. My young friends gathered here are not merely the makers of their own destiny but of our country and on a wider canvas, the entire world. As we live in an interconnected world, you will soon be globe-trotters as professionals. However, in this pursuit, never forget the spirit and ethics of our country. You would be the emissaries of Indian culture and wisdom around the world and your performance would be the standard set for the entire country
Our traditions have always emphasized upon sharing, especially in the field of knowledge. Hence, it is our duty to share the knowledge which we have gathered. Knowledge sharing leads to greater growth of knowledge itself. Knowledge is bound to grow as you expand it. I would like to congratulate IIM, Nagpur for taking the initiative to establish satellite campuses in Pune and Hyderabad and Singapore. As you all are aware we are celebrating 75 years of India’s Independence in the form of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. It should be the duty of every citizen to take steps for the betterment of our people. It should be our sole aim that when we celebrate 100 years of Independence in the year 2047, we are the country of opportunities and development, promise and resources and contentment and pride. /PIB/
(Excerpted from President Ram Nath Kovind’s speech at the inauguration of permanent campus of Indian Institute of Management, Nagpur at Dahegaon Mauza, Nagpur, on May 8, 2022)
