 "9 sidelights from Startup India event")
1) Call drops haunt delegates
It’s quite a paradox that the biggest tech start-ups held day-long negotiations and dreamt bigger dreams in entrepreneurship, connectivity continued to be weak at Vigyan Bhavan. Sending messages and connecting to phone internet was just a matter of luck. In the age of call drops, talking on phone was equally tough. Security jammers made it tough. In the morning, Softbank founder Masayoshi Son had pointed at poor broadband connectivity in India as the biggest hurdle for start-ups.
2) Aam aadmi all over
Aam aadmi made its presence felt at the startup event time and again. First, it was finance minister Arun Jaitley who said start-ups are making news everywhere — technology, business and even politics. He did not name the party behind the odd and even initiative. Also, another entrepreneur said he always wanted to see companies built by the aam aadmi, and now that’s possible.
3) Kant’s Oyo blooper
When Ritesh Agarwal, founder of Oyo Rooms, was called on to the stage in the Prime Minister’s presence, moderator and Department Of Industrial Policy & Promotion secretary Amitabh Kant said Ritesh owns more hotels than the Taj group. It’s a different matter that Oyo does not technically own rooms. Like Finance minister Arun Jaitley pointed out the biggest transporting company does not own a vehicle and the largest retailer does not own a store.
4) High fashion quotient
You could mistake the Startup India event for a fashion show or a Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. From the variety of attire to glamour quotient to clamour for seats, start-ups crisscrossing fashion, travel, health and you name it, were out in full force. As the gates opened post lunch once security had sanitised the place, the rush to enter the main hall showed the steel and determination of start-ups to make it big.
5) What made Amitabh Kant angry?
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DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant seemed on the verge of losing his cool while moderating a session which saw top government bureaucrats as panelists at the Startup India event. While taking questions from the audience, Kant was visibly irked when a person asked about the issue of unavailability of clean water in the country. He retorted, not every problem in the country could be solved by the panel. He had himself allowed the question from a person from the extreme back of the auditorium.
6)The makeover of Vigyan Bhawan:
Not only is the age group of the audience at Vigyan Bhavan, usually associated with grey haired policy makers and seasoned thinkers, much lower today, even the ambience was younger with words like 'awesome' and 'cool' being used every now and then from the podium. Media made the best of the new age opportunity by converting Vigyan Bhavan into mini TV studios, with cameras placed at any corner possible.
Not only is the age group of the audience at Vigyan Bhavan, usually associated with grey haired policy makers and seasoned thinkers, much lower today, even the ambience was younger with words like 'awesome' and 'cool' being used every now and then from the podium. Media made the best of the new age opportunity by converting Vigyan Bhavan into mini TV studios, with cameras placed at any corner possible.
7) A day of smart catchphrases
Several smart catchphrases were coined for the event. These were splashed all over at the venue. Disruptors wanted, creating creators, the government’s new venture (capital) etc...This way to a new India, is another, while giving seat directions. And outside Vigyan Bhavan, under a tree, a sign reads ‘seed today, tree tomorrow’. Finally, ‘we unobstacle, describes govt goal’.
Several smart catchphrases were coined for the event. These were splashed all over at the venue. Disruptors wanted, creating creators, the government’s new venture (capital) etc...This way to a new India, is another, while giving seat directions. And outside Vigyan Bhavan, under a tree, a sign reads ‘seed today, tree tomorrow’. Finally, ‘we unobstacle, describes govt goal’.
8) West meets East:
As Uber founder Travis Kalanick gave his presentation, moderator Deep Kalra asked him about competition in India. Kalra looked at Ola founder Bhavish Agarwal in the audience calling him a friend and Travis acknowledged his top rival. The Uber chief said what everyone says, competition is good for any business.
As Uber founder Travis Kalanick gave his presentation, moderator Deep Kalra asked him about competition in India. Kalra looked at Ola founder Bhavish Agarwal in the audience calling him a friend and Travis acknowledged his top rival. The Uber chief said what everyone says, competition is good for any business.
9) From economics to tasting wine:
DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant, who was moderating a segment on Q&A with secretaries, asked economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das to reply to a query on the wine industry since he enjoys it the most. "This question should be answered by the one who enjoys wine the best," Kant said, gesturing towards Das. The economic secretary started the answer by saying," Amitabh you are not expected to let out secrets," leaving the audience in splits.
DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant, who was moderating a segment on Q&A with secretaries, asked economic affairs secretary Shaktikanta Das to reply to a query on the wine industry since he enjoys it the most. "This question should be answered by the one who enjoys wine the best," Kant said, gesturing towards Das. The economic secretary started the answer by saying," Amitabh you are not expected to let out secrets," leaving the audience in splits.