From Degree Holders
to Problem Solvers: ‘Savishkar Startup Sangam’ Charts India’s Path to a
Developed Nation by 2047
Lucknow, 28 Feb
(HS): The two-day National Conclave, ‘Savishkar Startup Sangam 2026,’
officially commenced today at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU),
Lucknow. This grand inaugural session of the mahakumbh of innovation and
entrepreneurship was graced by the Chief Guest, A.K. Sharma, Hon’ble Energy
Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and Special Guest Abhay Pratap Singh, National
Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). This two-day event aims
to inspire delegates through nine technical sessions to actively contribute to
the field of entrepreneurship.
Savishkar consistently works across the country to
motivate youth toward entrepreneurship, and this startup Sangam features
representatives from prominent companies and institutions such as Meta,
Edubuck, House Aesthetics, Bumshum, Voxora Labs, Rational AI, AM Skills
E-Academy Private Limited, Dextora AI Education Private Limited, Right Left AI,
Physics Wallah, Drone Lab, IIM Lucknow Incubation Center, and i-Hub UP AKTU in
various panel discussions.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Guest, A.K.
Sharma, stated that today’s youth are leading global giants like Google,
Microsoft, and Adobe, but the real question is why we are unable to create a
'Google' within India. He identified the primary cause as our social
environment, which does not sufficiently encourage new experiments. He noted
that most parents still want their children to pursue secure government jobs,
or become IAS officers, doctors, or engineers, fearing the risks associated
with the uncertain future of startups. He emphasized that we must break these
chains of traditional mindset; if we want to make India a developed nation by
2047, we must support our children in their dreams of startups and innovation
rather than pressuring them into conventional career paths.
Special Guest ABVP's National Secretary, Abhay
Pratap Singh, highlighted that while we talk about startups today, the concept
is not new to India. From the 1st to the 11th century, India’s contribution to
the global GDP was between 30 to 32 percent, and the country is once again
moving in that direction. He asserted that the Vidyarthi Parishad believes
campuses should produce ‘problem solvers’ rather than just ‘degree holders.’
Through Savishkar, the effort is to transform youth from ‘job seekers’ into
‘job creators.’ He remarked that if one identifies a problem or a deficiency in
society whether in accessibility or technology that itself can become the
foundation of a startup. He further emphasized that the focus is not just on
business but on sustainability. Whether it is the goal of ‘Zero Plastic Waste’
on campuses, environmental service through ‘Sunday for Campus,’ or helping the
underprivileged through ‘Seva Saturday,’ innovation is required in all these
areas. ‘Savishkar Startup Sangam 2026’ provides a platform for such innovation,
where experts from IG Drones, Physics Wallah Startup School, and NIET will
provide mentorship over the next two days to help youth contribute to a
self-reliant India.
During this session, several dignitaries expressed
their views, including Shri Nisarg Rathore, National Convener of Savishkar;
Prof. Deepak Nagaria, Controller of Examinations at the University; and Satyendra
Tripathi, Director of Lok Niti Bharat. In the ‘Startup Enablers Talk’ held on
the first day, Arunodaya Bajpai (COO, IIM Lucknow Incubation Center), Dr. Omkar
Rai (Former DG, STPI), Vandana Sharma, and Dr. Sanjay Suryavanshi provided
guidance on strengthening the startup ecosystem. This was followed by the ‘Lead
Her Ship’ session focused on women’s leadership, where Shivani Mehrotra
(Co-founder & CEO, Edubuck), Dr. Snigdha Pandey, Sukriti, Amrit Mehsana,
and Milli Mishra shared their experiences regarding the role of women in
entrepreneurship. Discussing the technological future, the session
‘Co-Evolution: The Dawn of the Human-Machine Learning Era’ featured insights
from Prabhakar Srinivasan (Founder, Voxora Labs), Praveen Yadav of Rational AI,
and Hrithik from Meta Smart Bot. Finally, the session ‘Role of AI and
Blockchain in Nation Building’ presented a roadmap for the future with
contributions from Arunodaya Bajpai, Apurva Bajaj (CEO, Edubuck), Abhayjeet
Singh (Director, Dextora AI), and Prashant Malviya (CTO, Right Left AI).
Following the
day’s intellectual deliberations, cultural programs such as ‘Bhajan Clubbing’
and ‘Open Mike’ were organized for the entertainment of the participants. The
startup sangam will conclude tomorrow after various dialogues and technical
sessions.
Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi
