Champions of Change: This is what young entrepreneurs suggested to Niti Aayog

More than 200 start-up entrepreneurs and executives met and interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and called for greater involvement of private sectors in new
policy template, earlier sought by the PM and Niti Aayog, among many things.

Coming from diverse sectors, entrepreneurs pitched for leveraging the strength of non-state entities to develop India's soft power, improve education levels and help mitigate climate change.

The entrepreneurs also discussed issues such as job creation, income growth and innovation at a session organized by NITI Aayog.

They also suggested that there is a need create 40-100 million new jobs through connectivity, accessibility and data usage and in 2022, the country would need value-added manufacturing.

In education, the suggestion was to facilitate online degrees to enhance capacity, scale, and quality of education and re-energize ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) through PPP model.

Under the 'Champions Of Change' programme organised by Niti Aayog, young entrepreneurs were grouped into six sectoral themes — Soft Power, Incredible India 2.0, Education and Skill Development, Health and Nutrition, Energizing a sustainable tomorrow and Digital India in New India by 2022.

Applauding the new ideas and innovative suggestions by the entrepreneurs, the PM also encouraged the entrepreneurs to continue their ideation in their respective groups. He said that if they did so, they could go a long way in furthering the cause of governance.

"There is an "app" for filling every gap. Technology and innovation should be harnessed to transform governance. He said decentralized structures are important to nurture the rural economy," said Modi.

Among the dignitaries Union Ministers, Vice Chairman NITI Aayog Arvind Panagariya, and senior Union Government officers were present on the occasion. The event was coordinated by CEO NITI Aayog, Amitabh Kant.