Vote of Thanks by Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB at Grand Startup Conclave on Animal Husbandry & Dairy - 28th February 2023

Grand Startup Conclave on Animal Husbandry & Dairy

28th February, 2023 – Hyderabad

Vote of Thanks by Shri Meenesh Shah, Chairman, NDDB

  • Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala ji
  • Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Tourism, Shri G Kishan Reddyji
  • Hon’ble Union Ministers of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan ji and Dr L Murugan ji
  • Hon’ble Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Minister, Government of Telangana, Shri T Srinivas Yadav ji
  • Shri Soma Bharat Kumar, Chairman, Telangana State Dairy Development Cooperative Federation Ltd.
  • Secretary (AHD), Government of India, Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh
  • Secretary, Fisheries, Government of India, Shri Jatindra Nath Swain
  • Special Chief Secretary (AH), Govt. of Telangana, Shri Adhar Sinha
  • Additional Secretary (DAHD), Govt. of India, Ms. Varsha Joshi`

 

Invited guests, farmers, students, entrepreneurs, exhibitors, officials of State and Central Government, Milk Unions and Federations, Media persons….Ladies and Gentlemen

It is a matter of great privilege and joy for me to propose vote of thanks in this inaugural session of Start-Up Conclave which is being organised to promote the existing and emerging startups in the livestock, dairy and animal husbandry sectors.

Entrepreneurship is the core force of economic growth/prosperity.

If there is one commonality between all the developed nations all around the world, it is the presence of entrepreneurship.

Economic development is totally based upon the growth of entrepreneurship and more the entrepreneurship is grown, infrastructure as well as all the indicators of development have also grown.

Today, India is the fifth largest economy in the world and is poised to become third largest by 2030.

It is committed to attain the growth that is inclusive and sustainable.

Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector is playing a significant role in generating gainful employment in the rural areas, particularly among the landless, small, and marginal farmers and women, besides providing less expensive and nutritious food to millions of people.

Therefore, it has a significant role to play in the inclusive and sustained growth of the country by being more productive, sustainable, remunerative, and climate-resilient.

No matter how hard government or business sector try, not all gaps can be filled in any sector and Livestock, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector are also no exception.

And, here the role of Start-Ups becomes very important, they can identify those gaps and address them with their entrepreneurial energy and ideas.

Therefore, I see today’s Start-Up conclave as a celebration of ideas in livestock, dairy and animal husbandry sector, and definitely these ideas will open the doorway to new possibilities in the sector ultimately benefitting millions of our dairy farmers.

It is a matter of honour for all of us that today, Hon’ble Union Minister Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Shri Parshottam Rupala ji is present with us in this Start Up Conclave.

I take this opportunity to thank him for his gracious presence and  his inspiring address.

I express our sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Ministers of State (Fisheries, AH & Dairying), Govt. of India Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balyan ji and Dr L Murugan ji;  Hon’ble  Minister of State (Tourism), Govt. of India, Shri G Kishan Reddy ji for graciously accepting our request and sparing their valuable time for encouraging us at this conclave.

We are equally encouraged by the presence of Hon’ble Animal Husbandry & Fisheries Minister, Government of Telangana, Shri T Srinivas Yadav ji . Thank you for gracing the occasion.

I would also like to thank Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (AHD), Shri Jatindra Nath Swain, Secretary (Fisheries), Govt. of India, Shri Adhar Sinha, Special Chief Secretary (AH), Government of Telangana for being present here today and guiding us to take this movement forward.

Additional Secretary (DAHD) Ms Varsha Joshi has been the driving force behind the whole process and it is her vision and leadership that has made this event possible. I take this opportunity to thank her.

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Start Up India, Strategic Alliances Division, all of them have contributed to organising of this Conclave. We appreciate their contribution.

I welcome and thank all the Start Ups who are participating in this Conclave. Venture Capitalists/ Investors have also shown keen interest in today’s Conclave. I thank them for their support.

Today's program has been successful with the active participation of our dairy cooperatives across the country. I thank Chairmen, Managing Directors, other officers and farmer brothers and sisters, from Dairy Cooperatives across the nation for attending the Conclave as this reflects your commitment towards dairy profession. It is because of your efforts that scenario of dairying in India has transformed.

 

I appreciate the efforts of NDDB employees who worked with complete dedication and great team work.  

Before concluding, I would like to say a few words to all the Start Ups present here .

While you have ideas, Every Start-Up present here would do well to blend in their ventures a grand ideal in addition to a great idea.

This ideal will not only serve as a moral purpose but also offer you strategic and operational advantages.

First, it can help expand entrepreneurial ambition. So, striving after an ideal in addition to an idea will enhance your motivation and enhance overall value creation.

Second, it can attract fellow travellers. As an entrepreneur/start up, you will have to convince a range of stakeholders- i.e., employees, investors, customers, and suppliers — to take a risk on you.

Selling an ideal rather than merely an idea makes for a far more compelling pitch. After all, ideas appeal to the head, while ideals potentially speak to both the head and the heart.

And third, it can help align a winning team. Commitment to a purpose helps in keeping team members aligned and connected throughout your journey, making them into a cohesive unit over the long term. That is what successful teams are all about.

Do remember, you are not alone in this journey.

While the journey will not always be smooth, however remain confident about your ideas and press on with your efforts, even during the challenging circumstances.

Try to seek comfort in the support, knowledge and guidance available for the start-ups in the country to tide through the difficult times. This Conclave is designed with this very purpose only.

I am sure that this Conclave, pitching event and other sessions lined up today will engage and inspire you, help you in taking actionable steps to achieve your aspirations of building a successful Start Up and contribute to economic prosperity in India.

Once again, I thank all the dignitaries for their august presence. Best wishes to all the Start Ups, dairy cooperatives and dairy farmers.

And I am sure that this will be a memorable day for all of as it has ignited a new energy in all of us.

Thank you.