Location is immaterial for growth; dreaming big is what matters, Kris Gopalakrishnan, Past President, CII and Co-Founder, Infosys, told a gathering of entrepreneurs and management students on Friday.
“Anything is possible in a small town,” Mr. Gopalakrishnan said citing the rise of Manipal to prominence first in banking industry and subsequently in private university space.
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In his speech titled ‘Think Big, Think Smart’, Mr. Gopalakrishnan attributed Bangalore's rise as a global IT hub to the collective approach of industry players and the support by the State and Central Governments. With the right kind of people for leadership, Erode well on way to moving to the next level, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said in the Interactive Session organised by the CII Erode Zone.
Suggesting that Erode identify its own strengths, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said government support was vital to take forward the initiatives for promoting the district into a hub for trade, health, agriculture-processing, and textiles. Starting late provides the advantage of drawing on the best practices. Achievement was possible through systematic thinking, working together, and leveraging emerging IT applications in diverse areas, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said.
KKSK Rafiq, Chairman, CII Erode Zone, observed that while entrepreneurship was progressing well in Erode in diverse fields, a right model was needed. Enrolment with CII would provide young entrepreneurs the exposure to succeed, he said.
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Opportunities
In his presentation on Erode district, C. Devarajan, Vice-Chairman, CII Erode Zone, spoke of the opportunities in the areas of food processing, textile, leather, health, and heritage, and the need for retaining educated work force by generating suitable jobs.
The Olirum Erodu Foundation formed by industrialists in the district would play a catalytic role, Mr. Devarajan said.