Dr. VG Patel Memorial Lecture Sparks Youth Entrepreneurship
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The seventh lecture in the series was organised at the Institute on the topic of Job Seekers to Job Creators
The National Entrepreneurship Trainer/Educator/Mentor Award was also presented on the occasion.
Shri Subhodh Bhargava, Chairman, Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust, delivered the 7th Dr. VG Patel Memorial Lecture that was organised by Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad.
The lecture, seventh in the series, was held at the EDII campus. The Topic of the Lecture was Job Seekers to Job Creators.
This topic is timely as India has a young population with over 65% under the age of 35. Many youths are looking for jobs, but the bigger opportunity lies in starting businesses. According to recent government data, India has more than 1.25 lakh recognised startups, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem globally.
EDII lost its founder, Padma Shri Dr. V.G. Patel, on April 4, 2019. To commemorate Dr. Patel’s great work in the field of entrepreneurship, the Institute started an annual lecture series in 2019. Recognised by the entrepreneurship fraternity as the ‘Pioneer of Entrepreneurship Movement,’ Dr. V.G. Patel committed himself to propagating entrepreneurship within India and globally. Not only did he succeed in establishing the credibility of his belief across India, but he also went on to establish the National Resource Institute, EDII, in 1983.
Dr. Patel’s legacy is deeply respected because when EDII was set up in 1983, very few in India thought entrepreneurship could be taught. Today, EDII has trained thousands of entrepreneurs, both in India and abroad, and is supported by top institutions like IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, IFCI Ltd., and State Bank of India.
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII recalled Dr. Patel’s exceptional contribution to the economic development of the nation by introducing and promoting the concept of entrepreneurship. He said, “Dr. Patel introduced the country to Entrepreneurship when people had no clue about its potential. Dr. Patel held on to the belief and persisted till he proved to the world that training and mentoring could create successful entrepreneurs, and that entrepreneurship could be taught like any other discipline. Dr. Patel’s contribution to the domain of entrepreneurship is unparalleled. He not just created a new discipline and a school of thought but also raised the motivation of people and changed their mindsets in favour of entrepreneurship.”
His statement highlights how entrepreneurship is now part of India’s policy framework. Government programs like Startup India and Stand-Up India reflect the same belief Dr. Patel had decades ago—that entrepreneurship is a path to growth and jobs.
Addressing the audience, Shri Subhodh Bhargava, Chairman, Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust, said, “Let me begin with very fond remembrance of Dr. V G Patel. I hail him as a visionary who could foresee the potential of entrepreneurship as a discipline. Entrepreneurship has thrived in India since the most ancient of civilisations, adapting and innovating with the changing times. The recent times, however, have been most rewarding, with India securing the position of third third-largest entrepreneurial ecosystem in the world. India’s entrepreneurial landscape showcases the unique dynamism of youth. The innovative ideas and concepts are a testament to the increasing interest of Indian youth in entrepreneurship. Access to finance, mentorship, training, and networking opportunities is easy in the present times, and this must motivate more and more young entrepreneurs to get started. From Job Seekers to Job Creators, that should be our mandate for growth and advancement.” My best wishes to EDII for all their future initiatives under the leadership of Dr. Sunil Shukla.”
Mr. Bhargava’s remarks are important because Bhartiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) has itself mentored over 7,000 entrepreneurs since its creation in 1992, generating more than 2 lakh jobs. His call for India’s youth to transition from “Job Seekers to Job Creators” resonates with the country’s need to generate 10 million new jobs annually.
On this occasion, the winner of the Dr. V.G. Patel National Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship Trainer/Educator/Mentor 2025 was also announced.
About Dr. V. G. Patel Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship Trainer/Educator/Mentor: In 2020, EDII instituted the Dr. V. G. Patel Memorial Award for Entrepreneurship Trainer/Educator/Mentor to honour the late legendary Dr. V. G. Patel, who emphasised the significance of instituting a cadre of entrepreneur trainer-motivators to sustain the entrepreneurship movement. Dr. Patel hailed this cadre of professionals as the backbone of the entrepreneurship development movement. This National Award recognises the outstanding contribution of a trainer/educator/mentor in propagating innovations and technology-driven new enterprises. To arrive at its decision, the high-level Award Committee follows a three-tier selection process based on critical evaluation parameters and a personal interview. This year, 617 nominations were received, representing 41 countries, 33 Indian States and 384 institutions. The award comprises a citation and a cash prize.
The large number of nominations demonstrates the high regard in which the award is held. With entries from 41 countries, it has gained global recognition. Entrepreneurship is no longer local—it is a worldwide network, and such awards raise India’s standing internationally.
The Winners of 2025 are:
• Mr. Ulhas Upendra Bhale, Founder Director, Udyam Info Solutions Pvt. Ltd, Maharashtra.
Mr. Bhale has worked for 34 years in training entrepreneurs. His focus on agripreneurship and women’s empowerment matches India’s rural development needs. India has over 50% of its population depending on agriculture, so agripreneurship is a big opportunity.
• Mr. Rajesh Kumar Adla, CEO, AIC T-Hub, Hyderabad, Telangana.
T-Hub is India’s largest startup incubator, and Mr. Adla’s leadership has supported over 3,000 startups. Hyderabad has emerged as a top innovation hub in Asia, and T-Hub is one of its biggest strengths.
Special Jury Award was conferred on:
• Mr. Iytha Mallikarjuna, Founder & Director, Inclusive Divyangjan Entrepreneur Association, New Delhi.
He has dedicated his career to supporting disabled entrepreneurs. With nearly 3 crore differently-abled people in India, his work ensures inclusivity in the startup ecosystem. His recognition by the President of India in 2024 further shows his remarkable impact.
Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to:
Dr. Nagaraj Balakrishnan, CEO & Vice President, AIC Raise Business Incubator, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
Dr. B. Dayakar Rao, Director/CEO, Nutrihub, ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad, Telangana
Mr. Subhrangshu Sanyal, CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Kolkata, West Bengal
Mrs. Sucharita Eashwar, Founder & CEO, Catalyst for Women Entrepreneurship, Yelahanka, Karnataka
Mr. Surya Kant, CEO, Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) – Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH), Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
These recognitions highlight how India’s entrepreneurial growth is being shaped across multiple cities and institutions. Each awardee is nurturing new enterprises, creating jobs, and building innovation ecosystems.
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