Surname doesn’t matter in today’s India: PM Modi reaffirms commitment to providing right business environment for startups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for startups to flourish, asserting that in today’s India, one’s surname or family background does not matter as much as hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came in response to Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal’s recollection of his father’s initial skepticism about his ability to succeed as a startup entrepreneur due to their humble background.
Sharing a video clip posted by Union Minister Hardeep Puri, PM Modi wrote on X, “In today’s India, one’s surname doesn’t matter. What matters is hard work. Your journey is truly inspiring, Deepinder Goyal! It motivates countless youngsters to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. We are committed to providing the right environment for the startups to flourish.”
In the video, Goyal revealed that when he started Zomato in 2008, his father used to say, “tu janta hai tera baap kaun hai”, implying doubts about his ability to pull off a startup given their modest background. However, Goyal acknowledged the significant changes that have occurred, especially in the past 7-10 years, enabling a more favorable ecosystem for startups.
The remarks came during a ‘Vishesh Sampark Abhiyan’ event hosted by Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at his Delhi residence, where various business leaders and entrepreneurs shared their experiences and praised the government’s initiatives.
Sunil Vachhani, Chairman of Dixon Technologies, highlighted how his company has transformed from importing 100% of its mobile phones and electronics a decade ago to now manufacturing almost all of them in India, with plans to soon export mobile phones worth USD 100 billion.
To Vachhani’s experience, PM Modi said on X, “I completely agree with you on this. The transformation in India’s mobile phone and electronics industry is truly remarkable. It is a testament to India’s potential and the proactive steps taken in the last few years to realise it.”
Other entrepreneurs, including Nitin Jain (Ofbusiness), Rohan Verma (Map My India), Abhiraj Singh Bhal (Urban Company), and Varun Alagh (Mamaearth), also shared their experiences and praised the government’s efforts in creating an enabling environment for startups and promoting digital transformation.
PM Modi applauded the progress made in sectors like space and geospatial, emphasizing the government’s commitment to continued infrastructure development and reforms to unlock India’s potential further.
Appreciating Mamaearth’s work, PM Modi wrote, “Ours is a Government which actively encourages StartUps and wealth creation. We are proud of the youthful energy in every part of our nation, especially the Tier-2 and 3 cities”.
(Inputs from ANI)
