In his recent Mann Ki Baat address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the flourishing startup ecosystem across India, particularly in smaller cities and regions outside the major economic hubs. He highlighted that the registration of startups in Nagaland had surged by over 200 percent in the previous year.
“In a state like Nagaland, the registration of startups has increased by more than 200 percent last year. Waste Management, Non-Renewable Energy, Biotechnology, and Logistics are the sectors in which the most number of start-ups are being noticed,” Prime Minister Modi said.
This growth in Nagaland is part of a broader trend that Prime Minister Modi pointed out during the 118th episode of Mann Ki Baat, noting the remarkable rise of startups in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India. He added that more than half of the startups formed in India in the past nine years have come from these smaller cities, a testament to the expanding scope of India’s entrepreneurial culture beyond major metropolitan areas.
“Just a few days ago, Start-Up India has completed 9 years. More than half of the startups that have been formed in our country in these 9 years are from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, and when we hear that, every Indian’s heart is delighted with the fact that our startup culture is not limited to just big cities,” he stated.
Reflecting on the transformation of India’s startup ecosystem over the last decade, Prime Minister Modi noted the challenges and skepticism faced by entrepreneurs in the past. “Ten years ago, the idea of entering the startup world was met with skepticism, but today, India’s startup ecosystem has become a hub of innovation and opportunity,” he said, encouraging young people to take full advantage of the opportunities being created.
“Ten years ago, when someone used to talk about entering the field of start-ups, one had to listen to many kinds of taunts. Some would ask, after all, what is a start-up? Others would say, That will not lead you anywhere! But see how big a change has come in a decade now! You too should take full advantage of the new opportunities being created in India. If you believe in yourself, your dreams will also soar to new heights,” Prime Minister Modi added.
The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to celebrate the success of India’s space-tech sector, mentioning the achievement of Bengaluru-based startup Pixxel. He shared that the company has successfully launched India’s first private satellite constellation, named ‘Firefly,’ which is the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation.
“I am proud to share that an Indian space-tech start-up, Pixxel from Bengaluru, has successfully launched India’s first private satellite constellation—’Firefly.’ This satellite constellation is the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation. A few days ago, our scientists achieved another significant milestone in the space sector. Our scientists successfully carried out satellite space docking,” the Prime Minister added. (With inputs from agencies)