A report on Gujarat Startup Ecosystem, developed by EDII faculty members – Dr. Kavita Saxena and Mr. Mayank Patel was released at the hands of Shri Vijay Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat. The report is an attempt to highlight various initiatives of the state and different stakeholders to create a progressive startup ecosystem in Gujarat. Prepared in association with the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industies (GCCI), the report offers a glimpse into Gujarat’s strengths as an industrial state. The report is a compilation of growing startups of Gujarat, investor ecosystem in the state, role of universities and autonomous academic institutions to support startups in Gujarat. 




















(2^nd from L) Shri Vijay Rupani, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Gujarat releasing the Report. Also seen are (from R-L) Shri S. J. Haider, Principal Secretary, GoG, Tourism Dept.; Dr. Kavita Saxena, Faculty-EDII; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director-EDII; Shri Pradeepsinh Jadeja, Hon’ble Minister of State and Shri Jaimin Vasa, President, GCCI.

EDII signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 20, 2019 with Karafarini Omid Fund (KOF), Iran for setting up Iran-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IIEDC) on February 20, 2019.

EDII which has recently set up an Entrepreneurship Development Centre in Uzbekistan was given the onus of establishing a centre on similar lines in Iran. The establishment of Iran would be a major step towards long term sustainable entrepreneurial intervention specifically in the MSME sector of the country. Development of MSMEs has been recognized as an effective mechanism to facilitate economic development of Iran. It is this sector which provides opportunities for the youth to exhibit their entrepreneurial potential by helping them evolve as ‘job creators’ rather than ‘job seekers’. This assumes importance in a situation when the unemployment level is rising. Looking at the importance of MSME sector in Iran, a need was felt to have a dedicated centre to develop enterprises for Islamic Republic of Iran with special focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

It is in this regard that KOF approached EDII which has also established Entrepreneurship Development Centres in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar and Uzbekistan under the project assigned by Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.   
The establishment of Iran Centre would address the needs of a large portion of the population which is presently unable to pursue entrepreneurial career due to a variety of constraints such as lack of training, information gaps, knowledge gaps and the fear of failure.

The centre will also contribute to improving performance of existing enterprises through training, counselling and strategic interventions. Value chain development would also be pursued. Efforts will also be directed towards introducing Entrepreneurship in the education system so as to create awareness and inculcate the spirit of Entrepreneurship among students in Iran. Thus, IIEDC would facilitate:

Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director, EDII said, "I am delighted to sign this MoU to signal our commitment to boost entrepreneurship in Iran and work together to widespread a culture of entrepreneurship in the country. This will not only benefit the MSME sector of Iran but will also open the doors for further business opportunities and partnership between the two countries."

Karafarini Omid Fund (KOF), Iran was set up with an aim to provide microfinance to small businesses with little or no profit mainly for the purpose of establishing a revenue generating enterprise. KOF is the only full-fledged supportive financial institution in Iran that deals with micro-financing and business support to small and micro-businesses. The fund is the largest support fund of micro-economic activities in recent years and has done exceptional activities in developing the micro-credit culture in Iran. Through its continuous financial support, KOF has successfully created more than 700,000 new job opportunities and has been able to contribute to the promotion of entrepreneurship at the micro level in the country. 

The valedictory function of three programmes was held on Thursday, April 11 at the Institute. Mrs. Devyani Khobragade, Joint Secretary and Head, ITEC Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was the Chief Guest; while Mr. Kartikeya Sarabhai, one of the world’s leading environmental educators was the Guest of Honour at the valedictory function. These programmes, designed for six weeks, were held from February to April 2019.

Emphasizing on objective of such programmes, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director, EDII said, “The prime objective is to develop a cadre of hardcore professionals who will work for the promotion of economic activities in developing countries. They were equipped with new tools and techniques to lead potential entrepreneurs for new enterprise creation as also to facilitate growth of existing small enterprises, thereby intensifying and strengthening the efforts of policy makers and planners towards economic development of their respective countries”.

“The purpose of these programmes is to share developmental works among partner countries. We can all learn from each other, various aspects of entrepreneurship, SME development, cluster competitiveness and growth of informal sector enterprises,” said Mrs. Devyani Khobragade, Joint Secretary and Head, ITEC Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
 
Mr. Kartikeya Sarabhai, Director, Centre for Environment Education said, “Such programmes are critical as they encourage new thinking and questions for enterprising minds. Circular economy has as many job opportunities as traditional economy. Some traditions in each one of our countries can be transformed into business, if done differently.”
 
During the year, the Institute held six capacity building programmes for international participants from countries such as Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, Turkey, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Sudan, Malaysia and Chile among others. The participants were imparted training on cluster development, entrepreneurial management, small business promotion and informal sector enterprises.

Seen during the Valediction is (in the center) the Chief Guest, Dr. Devyani Khobragade, IFS, Joint Secretary, DPA-II, Ministry of External Affairs; the Guest of Honor, Shri Kartikeya Sarabhai, Founder & Director, Centre of Environment Education with (from L-R) Dr. Kavita Saxena, Programme Director of Informal Sector Enterprise, Entrepreneurship & Local Economic Development; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director-EDII; Dr. Sanjay Pal, Programme Director of Cluster Development Executives' Programme and Dr. Saji Kumar, Programme Director of Industrial, Infrastructure and Sustainable Project Preparation and Appraisal Programme.

The first Gujarat State Institutional Ranking Framework (GSIRF) on the lines of National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) has ranked EDII as the second best institute of Gujarat.
EDII was rated a 4-star institute by the executive committee of the Knowledge Consortium of Gujarat, Department of Education, Government of Gujarat on the recommendation of the appointed agency, the Indian Care for Academic Rankings and Excellence (ICARE).
A total of 20 universities and 46 non-technical institutes participated in the rating exercise. EDII was awarded a CGPA of 3.66 out of 5 on the basis of comprehensive performance matrix as set out by the GSIRF. Rating was done on the parameters of - Teaching & Learning Resources, Research & Professional Practice, Graduation Outcomes and Outreach & Inclusivity.

The 13^th International Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship organised by the Institute during February 20-22, 2019 was inaugurated by Padma Shri Dr. V. G. Patel, Noted Expert on Entrepreneurship and Founder & Former Director – EDII. This three-day Conference is being attended by over 235 academicians, practitioners, thinkers and researchers engaged in the field of Entrepreneurship from prestigious national and international institutions. Over 300 papers were received, out of which 147 papers have been accepted including 16 papers from academicians from Bangladesh, France, Iran, Israel, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Poland, Switzerland and Russia. 

In his welcome address Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director – EDII introduced Dr. V. G. Patel to the august gathering as a renowned Economist, entrepreneurship expert and institution builder who has played a key role in the growth of micro and small scale industries, as an academician and a policy maker. Dr. Shukla reviewed the changing scenario of entrepreneurship and the need, therefore, to research the emerging trends and patterns.  He hoped that this Conference would serve as a platform to researchers and academicians from across the world to generate a productive, enlightening and exciting synergy, and will provide an opportunity to professors, practitioners and thinkers in India and abroad to assimilate, communicate and disperse their experiences and experiments.

In his inaugural speech, Chief Guest Dr. V. G. Patel traced the genesis of entrepreneurship in India which was first launched in 1970. He reflected on how some of the basic questions were pondered over in order to increase the incidence of entrepreneurship in the state in the 70s. The factors that came out towards inhibiting entrepreneurship in the state included

Dr. Patel informed that as the issue of credit had been successfully addressed by giving loans without collaterals and generating 60 percent success rate; it became worthwhile to design a strategy whereby the other issues could be addressed in order to generate an even better impact. Hence, informed the Chief Guest, that a developmental model was evolved known as the Entrepreneurship Development Prpgramme Model to address the gaps. The success of the model led to several institutions coming up with similar programmes which started failing and thus was felt the need to create a national level institute with a cadre of competent trainers, and so EDII came into being, informed the Chief Guest.
Dr. Patel concluded with a request to researchers to continue upgrading themselves on research methodology and taking up some pertinent research topics including

Dr. Patel then elaborated on the concept of entrepreneurship, the growth and entry level barriers and how the changes must be effected to achieve better in the existing scenario.
 
Dr. Sasi Misra, Conference Chair, EDII gave a briefing on the conference informing all that the themes to be covered include; Entrepreneurship Perspectives & Practices, Entrepreneurship Education, Women Entrepreneurship, Social Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Agripreneurship, Sectoral Entrepreneurship, Startups, Incubators & Accelerators etc.
 
Dr. Misra said that the Conference would promote and advance the understanding of entrepreneurship theory and research in these areas.
 
The Conference is expected to generate positive and meaningful responses, leading to intellectually stimulating discussions and strategies.

Padma Shri Dr. V. G. Patel, Founder & Former Director, EDII, Ahmedabad, addressing the audience during the inauguration.

 

Chief Guest Shri Ishwarbhai Parmar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gujarat State inaugurated the first Entrepreneurship Development Programme for SC Youth under the project to train 750 youths of the state in Entrepreneurship and as Small Assistant Managers. Also present on the occasion were Shri Manoj Aggarwal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Govt. of Gujarat, Shri D. S. Gadhvi, IAS, Managing Director, Scheduled Caste Development Corporation, Govt. of Gujarat,  Shri Prakash Solanki, IAS, Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director – EDII.
 
This project involves a series of 20 residential programmes on entrepreneurship development and 10 residential Small Industry Management Assistant Programmes (SIMAP). While the former will target training 500 youths in setting up and managing own enterprise; the latter will ensure imparting skillsets to 250 youths so that they become employable. In all 250 enterprises are expected to be established with employment generation for around 1000 people over a period of time. Investment mobilization expected by these 300 units is to the tune of Rs. 10 to 12 crore over a period of time. The duration of each programme is 4 weeks with participants from across districts of Gujarat. The programmes are sponsored by Scheduled Caste Welfare, Social Justice and Empowerment Department.
 
EDII has been roped in as the implementing agency.   
 
The Chief Guest Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gujarat State, Shri Ishwarbhai Parmar beckoned all to take advantage of learning and setting up own enterprises. The Chief Guest congratulated the participants for having chosen to get trained. He said, “Skills are the biggest assets one can possess and it is heartening to note that we are now giving it the importance that it deserves. Your skills will make you indispensable and you will be one of the important individuals to steer growth in this industrialized state of Gujarat. While the policies and strategies of the Government are well in pace with the changing trends; your knowledge, skills and attitude will further help you make the maximum of opportunities. This is the first attempt at entrepreneurship by my department and I am sure it will be successful. ”
 
Shri Manoj Aggarwal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Govt. of Gujarat, in his address said,“ It is a historical day as we have taken a major step to promote inclusive growth. As far as industrial output is concerned, Gujarat is a leader in the country and it is high time that all sections of the community equally participate in this growth. I am glad that this programme is a stride in this direction. Entrepreneurship is needed today, more than ever before, to orient youths to participate in this growth story. The project has two aspects- one, to promote entrepreneurship and second, to create small enterprise managers who can be employed. Both the programmes will complement each other. So I urge the youths to benefit from this training and make a mark not just in Gujarat but also in India.”
 
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director, EDII said, “India is moving up the ladder of growth. Inclusive growth is the target of the nation and it is heartening to note that efforts are getting geared up from all significant quarters to achieve this mandate. Gujarat is also proactively pursuing this agenda. Efforts are directed towards bringing the disadvantaged sections into the mainstream by creating result-oriented training platforms and networks so that long term impact of these efforts is noticeable. These openings are certain to create more choices that place them on a levelled pedestal. Entrepreneurship is a proven form of empowerment, as alongside training on setting up and managing business, it promotes self-determination and the confidence to take control of one’s future. EDII is happy to contribute on this front.” 
 
Briefing the house about the Project, Faculty – EDII and Project Director, Mr. S. B. Sareen said, “The programme will help SC youth with latent entrepreneurial potential to get trained in all aspects of New Enterprise Creation and ultimately float their business. Also, those already in business but have not had the benefit of formal training can benefit. In addition,  youths will be trained to provide managerial services in MSMEs. In all, 900 youths will be trained; comprising 600 in Entrepreneurship and 300 as Small Industries Management Assistants.
The function concluded with Vote of thanks by Faculty-EDII, Shri P. Solanki.

 

Shri Ishwarbhai Parmar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gujarat State delivering the inaugural address at the inaugural function of the first Entrepreneurship Development Programme for SC Youth under the mega project to train 750 youths in entrepreneurship and as Small Industries Management Assistants. Also seen on the dais are (from R – L) Shri D. S. Gadhvi, IAS, Managing Director, Scheduled Caste Development Corporation, Govt. of Gujarat; Shri Manoj Aggarwal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Govt. of Gujarat; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director – EDII and Shri Prakash Solanki, IAS, Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare.

 

Seen during the inauguration ceremony is the (in the center) Chief Guest Shri Ishwarbhai Parmar, Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Gujarat State along with (from R – L) Shri D. S. Gadhvi, IAS, Managing Director, Scheduled Caste Development Corporation, Govt. of Gujarat; Shri Manoj Aggarwal, IAS, Principal Secretary, Social Justice & Empowerment Department, Govt. of Gujarat; Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director – EDII and Shri Prakash Solanki, IAS, Director, Scheduled Caste Welfare.

 
Shri Ishwarbhai Parmar lighting the ceremonial lamp at the inauguration ceremony.

Hon’ble Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises inaugurated the MSME Research Block at EDII on January 19, 2019. Also present on the occasion were Dr. Arun Kumar Panda, Secretary, MSME, Govt. of India and EDII Governing Board Member, Shri Milind Kamble, Chairman – Dalit Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Officiating President –EDII and Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director – EDII.
  

EDII has been working closely with the Ministry of MSME across targets with a view to contributing towards fostering and expanding economic and employment potential of MSME sector. Within the purview of the MSME sector, EDII has contributed in the areas of sustainable development, entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, governance and MSME promotion and facilitation. EDII has also undertaken significant research work and studies to promote the MSME sector.

Given the gamut of various verticals and an increasing number of activities being pursued by the Institute, an MSME Research Block has been constructed with support of Ministry of Medium, Small and Micro Enterprises under Scheme of Assistance to Training Institutions. The MSME Research Block is a great backing to the Institute’s work and its efforts will get a new impetus with this.

The MSME Research Block was inaugurated by Hon’ble Shri Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Medium, Small and Micro at EDII. Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Minister termed conviction, emotion and devotion as the main ingredients of entrepreneurship. He termed capital as secondary. The Minister highlighted several stories of successful entrepreneurs who have achieved success purely on the basis of their passion and will to make it big.  Speaking on the use of technology in business, the Chief Guest said, “Technology must be employed judiciously in a manner that we do not become slaves to it. Technology must facilitate our dreams.” To elaborate this, the Minister quoted the example of a village where the locals had been provided with spindles which was powered by solar energy and technology built into it to enable people to enhance their earnings.  Speaking on bringing women into mainstream, the Minister quoted Mckinsey’s report and said that the Report highlighted that with 42% women’s involvement in the economy, China recorded an increase of 41%  in their GDP. Juxtaposing it with Indian Reports, he said that we need to wake up as in 2004, 35 percent of the women were contributing to GDP, while the percentage fell to 24 percent in 2011.   The Minister concluded by beckoning all to take advantage of learning and set up own enterprises.
 

On the occasion, Dr. Arun Panda, Secretary, MSME said, ““Entrepreneurship requires inner passion to pursue a dream. Institutes like EDII are providing an eco-system to business enthusiasts. MSMEs are the flavour of the season especially after GST was introduced in the country. Out of 1.17 Cr registration in the GST, more than 1 Crore registrations in GST are MSMEs. That means people have started dreaming big.” Dr. Panda  suggested that EDII must train the key officials of all the 18 tool rooms and technology centres all across this country which are working exceptionally well in skilling people, making them job ready. This training, he said, will enable these officials to impart training in entrepreneurship too, thus ensuring a good success rate in New Enterprise Creation.  Adding to this, he said, “Our honourable Prime Minister also announced on November 2, 2018 that 120 more centres – of which 100 small and 20 big centres will be established in the coming 3 years. This will be a huge game changer for the country and for people.”

Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director, EDII said, “India is going through a revolutionary phase in which entrepreneurship is receiving tremendous acceptance as a career. With the government promoting MSMEs directly under Start-up India Mission, Make in India and Digital India policies, this sector has flourished like never before during the last couple of years. Increasing number of start-ups, even student start-ups suggests that the country is all set to make a mark on the global front with innovative and path-breaking ideas.”

The function concluded with Vote of thanks by Shri Milind Kamble, Officiating President – EDII and Chairperson – DICCI. Shri Kamble also endorsed the need of technology and innovation as facilitating factors in MSMEs and urged youths to think out-of-the-box. Shri Kamble stressed on the significance of MSMEs for economic growth and encouraged youths to make use of the training to become entrepreneurs. Shri Kamble profusely thanked the  dignitaries for extending much-needed  support to encourage MSMEs.

EDII won the ‘Sustainability Leadership Award 2018’ at the India Sustainability Leadership Summit & Awards scheduled on 26th November, 2018 at Taj Lands End, Mumbai. The institute was awarded for its commendable efforts toward control of greenhouse gas emission, technology upgradation, promotion of alternative energy use and occupational health & safety of workers in the MSME sector. All this was under the CSR support of Yes Bank and cooperation of local industry associations in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, and Telangana. Through various preventive and diagnostic activities conducted as part of this initiative, a total of 8756 MSMEs were catered in these eight states.

Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) is a sub-scheme under National Rural Livelihoods Mission [NRLM], pilot program of Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India with a vision to help the rural poor come out of poverty by creating self-employment opportunities along local economic development by creating local employment through micro enterprises.

The Implementation of SVEP involves interventions at the block level for four years involving SHGs and their Federation to promote micro enterprises owned by SHG members / relatives, marginalized sections and SC and ST communities.

The project has been launched in the year 2015-16, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad is functioning as National Resource Organization in partnership with total 11 State Rural Livelihoods Mission [SRLMs] and implementing in 57 (activities started in 42 blocks) blocks across the country. The states are Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Telangana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Odisha,  Punjab, Assam, Uttarakhand and Maharashtra.

The project also aims at developing a conducive ecosystem in the block for promotion of micro enterprises through Block Resource Centre [BRC-EP] and creation of Community Cadres as Community Resource Person [CRP-EP] for enterprise promotion and for providing necessary handholding support to the Rural Entrepreneurs.

EDII entered into partnership with West Bengal State Rural Livelihoods Mission in the year 2016-17 and implemented SVEP and implemented programme in two blocks : Pathar Pratima ; Dist: South 24 Parganas [Part of Sundarban Area; UNESCO Heritage Sites]  and Dinhata-1; Dist. Coochbehar.

During one of the SHG meetings in Pathar Pratima block, SHG member (a daily wager) Smt. Aparna Das came to know about SVEP and suggested this to her husband, Mr. Utpal Das, also a daily wager. Utpal was subsequently trained and mentored in micro enterprise management along with requisite skill development and handholding towards setting up a Common Service Centre [CSC] in 2017 with total investment of INR 1 Lac [SVEP CEF Support INR 50 thousand and INR 50 thousand own investment]. Utpal provides all kinds of E-services under the Digital India / E-Governance program to the local community.

Against all geographical & infrastructural challenges viz. Power, Transportation, Communication, skill development opportunities etc, with the effort of the WBSRLM and EDII Team support; Utpal established himself, generating annual revenue in the year 2017 of INR 96000.00 and 2018 of INR 180000.00, giving employment to two local youth and providing services to 1500 customers annually.

Inaugurating the India-Uzbekistan Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IUEDC) at Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCIU) in Uzbekistan is EDII Director , Dr. Sunil Shukla with ( on his L) Mr. Adkham Ikramov, Chiarman, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Republic of Uzbekistan and ( on his R) Mr. Vinod Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinaryand Plenipoteniary, Republic of Uzbekistan.

EDII successfully conducted its 19^th Annual Convocation of Academic Programmes on June 30, 2018. A total of 87 students were awarded diplomas. In Post Graduate Diploma Programme - Business Entrepreneurship (PGDM-BE), 70 students received diploma; in Post Graduate Diploma Programme - Development Studies (PGDM-DS), 16 students were conferred diplomas and in Fellow Programme in Management, 1 student was awarded diploma.

The Chief Guest for the event, Padma Shri Prof. Anil Gupta , Founder – Honey Bee; SRISTI and GIAN, graced the occasion and shared his insights on the new Eco-preneurial approaches for transforming social imagination. The Chief Guest opined, “Indian society is becoming aspirational, entrepreneurial, and also more accommodative of new social and economic experiments for changing everyday life experience of the masses. When socio-economic transition takes place, lot of values come in conflict, some for good but some for bad. The social inclusion is one such issue which is receiving heightened attention of many entrepreneurs. The disadvantaged people are not willing to remain neglected any further. Their restiveness is a challenge to all those who want to design inclusive business models.” Expressing his thoughts over the future frontiers for achieving zero poverty, zero unemployment and zero pollution, as articulated by Prof Yunus, The Chief Guest suggested a six-point strategy as follows: 

• Decide that change is possible, it cannot wait, it has to begin now, and with me
• There is a choice between two roads of inertia and innovations, first is safe, will take u somewhere, second, is risky, difficult but will take u where nobody might have gone
• Innovations don’t have legs and  hands; they need to be coupled with investment and enterprise
• Access, Assurance, Ability-skill and Attitude (endogenous and exogenous) are important. Cynicism is infectious, optimism is not, the company one keeps determines ones attitudes
• Creativity, compassion, collaboration/co-creation, circular and convergence are the five significant virtues.
• Overcome six exclusions: Spatial, Sectoral, Seasonal/temporal, Skill, Social, Structural/governance

The Chief Guest also highlighted the need for social inclusion through cross subsidization, innovative business models and  public policy institutions who can afford to pay for those who cannot. He said, ‘We need special enterprises for elderly care, similarly for specially abled people, and for taking care of children of single parents. Sristi, GIAN and NIF have tried to tackle  the needs  of such knowledge rich-economically poor people, but need gap is so big, we need hundreds if not thousands of flowers to bloom.”
 
The Chief Guest concluded with congratulations to the graduating students and inspiring them to pursue excellence. 
 
Mr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry & esteemed EDII Governing Body Member, officiated as the President of the 19^th Convocation. Mr. Kamble held that India is at a crucial time with the country’s entrepreneurial interactions on a rise on account of the favourable environmental, governmental and institutional set up. He added that with entrepreneurship gaining grounds, the entrepreneurial processes are going to become more important than ever; and, therefore, exploring new opportunities and markets, networking, sourcing funding options and amalgamating factors of production, will have to be mastered to excel. Mr Kamble advised the graduating students to keep working hard and not fret over results. He inspired them to enter this new path of life with new hopes and determination.
 
On the occasion, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director, EDII explained how EDII had adopted the new business strategy in keeping with the changing requirements. He added that the overall thrust would, however, remain on promoting start-ups, identifying and stimulating unexploited entrepreneurial fervor, instilling entrepreneurial orientation in executives, students, women, disadvantaged groups & other sections, addressing the vulnerability of rural and urban micro enterprises, emphasizing on innovations, incubation and research. Dr Shukla congratulated the graduating students and expressed his happiness over the way they were evolving as entrepreneurs and contributing to the nation’s growth. He also shared the institute’s major successes, over the years, with the audience.
 
The event registered a huge footfall comprising students, parents, professionals, academicians, officials, entrepreneurs and EDII staff and faculty members.
 
On this occasion, medals were also awarded to meritorious students:

• Dahyabhai Chhotalal Charity Foundation (Remik) sponsored Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance in New Enterprise Creation –  Deepesh Gandhi
• Dahyabhai Chhotalal Charity Foundation (Remik) sponsored Silver Medal for Scholastic Performance in New Enterprise Creation –  Vishwa Patel
• Dahyabhai Chhotalal Charity Foundation (Remik) sponsored Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance in Family Business Management –  Siddharth Bhat
• Dahyabhai Chhotalal Charity Foundation (Remik) sponsored Silver Medal for Scholastic Performance in Family Business Management –  Shitiza Jain
• EDII sponsored Gold Medal for Scholastic Performance in Development Studies –  Shruthi Surendran
• EDII sponsored Silver Medal for Scholastic Performance in Development Studies –  Nikita Patel