Some in politics need to be launched repeatedly, unlike startups: PM at ‘Mahakumbh’

PTI, Mar 20, 2024, 1:53 PM IST

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday took potshots at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi saying some in politics need to be repeatedly launched, much unlike startups that move on to other avenues in case one venture does not work out.

Without naming anyone, Modi, while speaking at the Startup Mahakumbh here, said many people launch startups, while the number is much more in politics.

Some ”have to be launched repeatedly”, he said.

The startup ecosystem is experimental and moves on to a new one if a particular startup doesn’t launch, he said, contrasting them with the ones in politics.

Modi exuded confidence of returning to power for a third term in a row and presenting a full Budget for the fiscal year starting April 1, 2024.

Businesses, in normal course, put off big events till the elections are over but the large assembly of startup entrepreneurs and people associated with that ecosystem at the three-day ‘Mahakumbh’, days after general elections were announced, is a sign of things to come, he said.

”You know what is going to happen in the next five years,” he said, referring to continuity in governance under him after the April 19 to June 4 general elections.

From less than 100 startups in 2014, India now has 1.25 lakh registered startups, and 12 lakh youth are directly associated with them, he said. ”India today is world’s third largest startup ecosystem… We have over 100 unicorns,” he said.

Indian startups have filed more than 12,000 patents, he said but added that still there are many who have not grasped the significance of going in for patents. Modi exhorted entrepreneurs and innovators to file for patents, given the fast pace at which the world is moving.

Modi said there was a time when education meant getting a job, and government job meant a person is settled. ”That mindset has changed,” he said, citing the startup revolution sweeping the country.

Earlier, innovators with ideas would worry about funding, and it was believed that those with financing could do business.

”The startup (culture) has broken that mindset and psych… this is how revolutions happen… The youth have opted to become job creators more than job seekers,” Modi said.

Backed by initiatives like Startup India and Standup India, the nation’s youth has proven its mettle, he said.

Modi said his efforts have always been to unshackle and unleash a sector’s potential, unlike the practices of the past where the government’s approach was to hold back.

”Today, Indian startups are showing good work in frontiers like space. Already, our startups are launching space shuttles in such a short time,” he added.