Entrepreneurship holds the key to India’s economic rise and its journey towards becoming a global leader, said Sanjeev Sanyal, Economic Advisor to the Government of India, while delivering the keynote address at the inaugural session of the Utkarsh Entrepreneurship Conclave 2025 on September 13. The day-long event, held at the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (EZCC), was organized under the banner of Swavalambi Bharat Abhiyan, in collaboration with Swadeshi Jagran Manch, Laghu Udyog Bharati, and several other social organizations.
Speaking to a gathering of over 400 entrepreneurs from across West Bengal, Sanyal underlined the role of entrepreneurship in addressing unemployment among Indian youth and driving sustained national growth. “If there is any tool that can boost the country’s economy and make India a global leader, it is entrepreneurship,” he said, adding that both government institutions and social organizations must continue working to strengthen this ecosystem.
Providing details of the initiative, Bateshwar Jana, Convener of Swavalambi Bharat Abhiyan (South Bengal Province), noted that Swadeshi Jagran Manch has been working consistently for four years to promote entrepreneurship. As part of this effort, more than 180 entrepreneurs were honoured at the conclave for their contributions and achievements.
The inaugural session featured addresses by Dr. Dhanpat Ram Agrawal (All India Co-Convenor, Swadeshi Jagran Manch), Prof. Suman Chakraborty (Director, IIT Kharagpur), Dr. Arvind Chaubey (Director, NIT Durgapur), as well as representatives from MSME and NSIC. The leaders guided entrepreneurs on overcoming challenges and identifying future growth opportunities.
In the technical sessions, institutions such as MSME, NSIC, SIDBI, SBI, Punjab & Sind Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Central Bank of India, and Canara Bank presented their schemes designed to support entrepreneurs through finance, training, and mentoring.
Addressing the main session, Satish Kumar, All India Organiser of Swadeshi Jagran Manch, emphasized that the world is now looking towards India for a “third way” rooted in peace and sustainability. “Swadeshi is a powerful means to pave the path of India’s rise. If Indians start consuming indigenous products and reduce dependence on foreign goods, the day is not far when India will emerge as a global economic superpower,” he said. Kumar added that with globalization losing ground, self-reliance and self-sufficiency will define the new global order.
The conclave was also addressed by senior dignitaries, including P.K. Das (Director, MSME), Anupam Gayam (Director, NSIC), Annada Shankar Panigrahi (National Struggle Wing Chief, Swadeshi Jagran Manch), Dr. Dharmendra Dubey (National Publicity Head), Prashant Deshpande (Director, Swarnim Bharatvarsh Foundation, Mumbai), Ashutosh Mukherjee (Regional Convener), Amal Kusum Ghosh (Co-Convenor), Sharda Prasad Satpati (Regional Coordinator), Shirish Khare (State Convener), along with several others.
The event also hosted an exhibition showcasing government schemes, entrepreneurial ventures, and innovative student-led startups from colleges, universities, and ITIs. On the occasion, a souvenir of Utkarsh Entrepreneurship Conclave 2025 was released by Chief Guest Sanjeev Sanyal alongside Satish Kumar.
