PUNE Lecture - Entrepreneurs will take Pune forward, says FM; unveils book on icons of city

FROM TOI NEWS

PUNE: Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee said the young and emerging entrepreneurs from Pune are bound to take the city forward in several new areas of progress and development. "Whether it is information technology, global business, innovation or sophisticated management and human relations, these young icons have established their credentials and the same will stand in good stead for the city," Mukherjee said at the launch of a coffee table book 'Icons of Pune' here on Monday.

The book is a compilation of profiles of some of the great achievers in business from Pune city covering the last few decades and the present young achievers.

Mukherjee said, "Pune has not only been an intellectual capital of the state but is an important centre of national awakening. Great personalities including thinkers, activists, philosophers, writers and speakers had a key role in germinating the freedom struggle from this city."

"It is only appropriate that in the new era of development, the young entrepreneurs will come forward and will experiment with several innovative and new approaches that will contribute to the city's progress in new areas," he said. The book comes as a recognition of their achievements and will encourage many to follow their path of progress, he added.

Mukherjee said, "In the recent decades, the city has transformed into an important hub not only for engineering and automobile industries but is fast emerging in the sunrise sectors like biotechnology and nanotechnology." The positive mindset of people makes Pune a vital city, he added.

"Industrialists like the Tatas, Bajajs, Kalyanis, Kirloskars and Firodiyas have gone a long way in giving Pune its dynamism. Institutes of national importance like the National Defence Academy and Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, among others, have contributed to enhancing its distinct character," he said.

Earlier, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, "India was able to overcome the challenge of global meltdown in 2008 mainly through a robust banking system. The nationalisation of banks stood the country in good stead." The stimulus package then given to the industry ensured that the economic growth slowed down only slightly, he added.

"The ongoing Eurozone crisis, which threatens to pose yet another serious economic challenge, is also a cause of worry in terms of the exchange rate of Indian rupee and its impact on the industry," he said. "I am sure the Industry is prepared to face the challenge. The Maharashtra government will stand by whatever hard decisions the central government may have to take like the recent hike in the petrol prices," he added.

Chavan said, Maharashtra has continued to maintain its number one position in overall progress among the states in India. "In the first four years of the XI Five Year Plan, the state achieved 9.1% growth rate and is targeting an 11% growth rate for the XII Five Year Plan, which begins from April 2012," he said.

Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Darda and state minister for school education Rajendra Darda were special guests.