Join hands with govt to foster development: Guv to entrepreneurs

Madurai: Entrepreneurs are invaluable assets to the nation, and they should collaborate with the govt to foster development, Tamil Nadu governor R N Ravi has said. He was speaking at the fourth edition of Evolve 2024, organised by Young India (Yi) Madurai Chapter and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Madurai on Sunday.Speaking on a wide range of subjects to a gathering of over 400 entrepreneurs, the governor highlighted Madurai's historic ties to entrepreneurship, citing ancient trade links with Rome. "Every visit to this Thoonganagaram (sleepless city) and its vibrant entrepreneurs recharges me," he said, adding that his journey during a cyclone to attend the event underscored his commitment.Ravi urged youth to take the lead in innovation and global decision-making. He pointed to a shift in the nation's vision over the past decade, with youngsters being trusted with leadership roles previously dominated by older generations. He said reduced non-performing assets (NPAs) in banks and financial institutions make it an opportune time for entrepreneurs to invest in their ideas.Praising National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for fostering skills and confidence in students, he said revamped engineering curricula now prioritize hands-on industrial experience. He said GDP and per capita income are outdated metrics, citing persistent poverty and malnutrition even in high-growth states like Tamil Nadu. Instead, he advocated human-centric, sustainable development, spotlighting India's investments in green energy and sustainable technology.Underscoring the importance of mentorship, Ravi pointed to My Bharath portal, which connects entrepreneurs with mentors to help execute ideas effectively. He said Agniveer scheme, which offers short-term military service, is a confidence-building measure. "Military service isn't the only path to health. Initiatives like Khelo India are promoting yoga and sports," he said. On geopolitics, he discussed India's transition from non-alignment to multi-alignment, focusing on the principle of ‘India first.' Earlier, industry leaders including Aircel founder Chinnakannan Sivasankaran, Thyrocare founder Arokiaswamy Velumani, and Kumaraguru Institutions president Shankar Vanavarayar led sessions on leadership and entrepreneurship, inspiring attendees.