Innovation and Role of Government

The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) recently celebrated its 29th Foundation Day. At the inaugural session, Dr Rajendra Kumar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and IT welcomed the delegates stating that we should all work together to

At the 29th STPI Foundation Day, Dr. Omkar Rai, DG, Software Technology Parks of India, said that the various state governments have been working for the promotion of the startup ecosystem. It can be presented with a very organised IT policy so that they can become a world-class startup ecosystem. Once recognised, startups are given lot of benefits. India has also been facing challenges in getting a market. Government has to play a role in helping them. Ministries can engage and give them a start. The SME community has to also give a list of problems that can be solved. Then, startups can become self-reliant and strong. They can also export their services.

The Atal Innovation Mission is one of the initiatives that have been taken up. STPI is working very closely with state governments, academia and industry. There should be professional guidance given to the Centers of Excellence. We have to run challenge-run programs. Whatever products that the startups create, we need to ensure that the Government is the largest consumer. 46 www.dqindia.com

He added that the upcoming startups are very agile. The growth rate is also very high. Cost is also very less, which is an advantage. The cost to create IPR is also very less. We should also create a world-class technology infrastructure. The policy envisages that India should become a leading software product market by 2025. This number has to be achieved. It will encourage the upcoming startups. We are on the cusp of revolutionizing the startups ecosystem, and also compete with the USA and China. Rajneesh Agarwal added that we require policy, infrastructure, etc. We started CoEs across the country. One of them was started in Delhi for the ESDM sector, we started the Electropreneur Park.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary Industries & Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT), Government of Telangana, said that STPI has set up IT tech parks at Ameerpet, Hyderabad. We have created a separate track for support. If you do innovation, you get more support. This requires a very holistic approach. Policies alone will