Ideas come to mind like butterflies and fireflies

Recently I had the opportunity to participate in an important panel discussion related to innovative thinking and entrepreneurship. The program was organised by Meerut College, associated with Meerut University. In this program organised under the ‘Innovation Week’ of the Government of India, Dr Neeraj Kumar emphasised that the possibilities exist in every field and the youth should make efforts towards becoming entrepreneurs. I am also of the opinion that new ideas come to our mind randomly, they are like butterflies and fireflies (jugnu), which strike for a moment and can disappear in the blink of an eye. If attention is given to new ideas by being alert, then the foundation of new startups can be laid and innovative solutions can be found for many problems of our day to day life. Participating in the discussion, Anant Srivastava, Founder, Home Textile Exporters Welfare Association (HEWA) and its director Vikas Singh Chauhan, said that it is not necessary that only science students pursuing Technology, Mathematics or Engineering should focus on innovative ideas, students of any discipline can think of starting their own entrepreneur venture. Anyone having bright ideas and a positive approach to life can be an innovator. Students can become entrepreneurs with new thinking. The Government of India has declared January 16 as National Startup Day and is considering startups as the backbone of New India.
 
There are currently more than 60,000 startups in India. The central government is paying a lot of attention to new thinking, innovation and entrepreneurship to realise the dream of New India. Youth are being encouraged both financially and ideologically, so that they can generate more and more jobs by putting up their projects and presenting solutions to the problems present in the country. If we look at the figures, the difference is clearly visible, as compared to 4,000 patents in the year 2013-14, around 28,000 patents were granted last year, and 2.5 lakh trademarks were registered against 70,000 trademark registrations. India's position in the Global Innovation Ranking is improving as the emphasis is on innovation in the country. Six years ago India was ranked 81 on this list and now it is at 46th position. Startups are proving to be game changers.
 
Indian startups raised $42 billion in 2021, up from $11.5 billion in 2020. Top startups in India include ShareChat, Cred, Meesho, Nazara, Moglix, MPL, Grofers (Blinkit), upGrad, Mamaearth, GlobalBees, Acko and Spinny. New thinking and better solutions are needed in the field of agriculture, mental health, tourism, and health services in the country. If the Prime Minister is to be believed, then the golden era of India's startups is starting now. Each of the 625 districts of the country has at least one startup. More than half of the startups are from tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Half of the country's population is online, so startups should focus on rural India and rural problems. The aspirations of the people and youth living in the villages are rising and the rural and semi-urban areas await a new wave of expansion. Today, the need of the hour is that the youth think in a new way and present new solutions to the existing problems. Innovative ideas will help build a new India.

(Author is a senior journalist and columnist)