"Start-ups are going to be the backbone of new India," PM Modi said. (File photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that start-ups are the "hallmark of self-reliant, self-confident India" as he announced that January 16 will be celebrated as "Start-Up Day". "Our Start-ups are changing the rules of the game. Thus, I feel that start-ups are going to be the backbone of new India," PM Modi said during an interaction with more than 150 startups.
"Last year, 42 unicorns were made in the country. Today India is rapidly moving towards hitting the century of the unicorn. And I agree, the golden era of India's start-ups is starting now," PM Modi said.
"I congratulate all the start-ups, all the youth, who are raising the flag of India in the world of start-ups. For this culture of start-ups to reach the far-flung parts of the country, it has been decided to celebrate January 16 as National Start-up Day," he said during the event which marks the sixth anniversary of the launch of the 'Startup India' initiative.
Start-ups from various sectors such as enterprise systems, space, industry 4.0, security, fintech, environment besides agriculture and health were part of the interaction which was attended by PM Modi via video conferencing.
More than 150 startups have been divided into six working groups based on themes including growing from roots, nudging the DNA, from local to global, technology of future, building champions in manufacturing, and sustainable development, the Prime Minister's Office said in a release.
"Each group will make a presentation before Modi on the allotted theme in the interaction. The aim of the interaction is to understand how startups can contribute to national needs by driving innovation in the country," the release said.
As part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, a week-long event, "Celebrating Innovation Ecosystem", is being hosted by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, during January 10-16.
The event marks the sixth anniversary of the launch of the 'Startup India' initiative.