Entrepreneurs build nation, not govt: TiECon chief

NEW DELHI, INDIA: It was all about fostering entrepreneurship. The two-day TiECon -2011 began in New Delhi with a strong message to the entrepreneurs that they have the ability to build the nation by being innovative and proactive.

R Chandrashekhar, secretary, ministry of communications and IT and British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg spoke on how entrepreneurs can play a vital role in development of the nation.

Speaking to CIOL, Saurabh Srivastava, chairman emeritus, TiE Delhi and NCR and chairman of CA Technologies India said that entrepreneurs will continue to contribute to the country’s growth. “The growth in the country is from entrepreneurs and businesses that have transformed India, and not the government,” he said.

Srivastava believes that human resource will be the biggest asset for the country in the next 20 years. “India is the only country in the world that provides human skills to rest of the world,” he said. The TiE is now focusing on the education sector as it sees it as an unreserved market that has a phenomenal potential.

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is the world’s largest organization dedicated to the advancement of entrepreneurship. TiE was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region.

“Education is likely to be a big business opportunity. Government and private enterprises should work together to accomplish the prosperity,” added Srivastatava. Atul Dhawan, chair, TiECon organizing committee said that entrepreneurs who started at a small level are now playing a key role in the country and abroad.

Entrepreneurs have generated employment and revenues for the country and helped country to  grow by creating enormous consumer base,” Dhawan said. As the government is mooting policy framework for skill development, the organization also believes that it’s one of the critical aspects.

Raman Roy, chairman and MD, Quattro, said there are various aspects that can foster entrepreneurship. “Entrepreneurs should create skill-set with pathbreaking ideas. In emerging economies, creativity drives entrepreneurship,” he said.

“With scarcity of resources, individuals play an important role and employee today is seen as an investment,” Roy said. He, however, believes that Indian companies and Indians will play a vital role in transformation and an enormous opportunity awaits them in the country.