New Delhi: India Inc is known for its resilience. The pandemic year has demonstrated the never-say-die attitude of small and medium enterprises in India which braved the virus challenge to stay ahead of the curve.
Capturing the resolute entrepreneurial journey of these outstanding business entities, the TV9 Network and SAP India are recognising businesspersons who had the vision, determination and grit to not only tide over the crisis but also reset their business models, in season three of Dare2Dream Awards.
The Awards, cutting across business verticals and geographies, have enthused the MSME ecosystem. With eight city focus, the first leg of the pan India awards got underway successfully this week with over more than 75 entrepreneurs awarded for their innovation on the back of digital transformation.
The first phase of the awards spotlighted the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurs from Delhi, Mumbai and rest of Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from November 30 to December 3.
The next leg of four awards functions covering Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, eastern region of the country and states in North India will resume on December 07.
The Dare2Dream Awards witnessed assembly of top policymakers, business leaders and partner leaders who drove home the importance of building the small business foundation for India growth story and turning the focus on the “missing middle”.
The awards are supported by the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Govt of India. Delivering his address to kick off the Dare2Dream Awards ceremony with the Delhi edition, MSME Secretary BB Swain, said: “I am extremely happy to participate in TV9 Network’s Dare2Dream Awards 2021. The reward an entrepreneur receives is because of the risk he or she takes. In this context, I appreciate this award function celebrates the success of homegrown entrepreneurs who have been able to succeed despite the pandemic.”
He added: “I understand the selection has been through a rigorous process. The winners truly deserve the recognition and applause. We must duly acknowledge the enormous contribution of the MSME sector in Indian economy.”
In his keynote address for the Maharashtra region awards, Subhash Desai, Industries minister, Maharashtra, hailed the spirit of enterprise in adverse times. Outlining his support to the initiative, he said: “Maharashtra government is committed to safeguarding the interests of small business, especially in Covid times, to ensure that life and livelihood did not suffer. MSME contribution to the state economy is enormous. Only when you encourage small business that you lay the foundation for setting up large enterprise.”
Gujarat government MSME Commissioner J Ranjeeth Kumar, while delivering keynote for the Gujarat edition of the awards, outlined the various steps taken by the state government to enable SMEs become globally competitive and export oriented. “Atmanirbhar Bharat will be made possible by our MSMEs and Gujarat has been working hand in hand with the sector so that SMEs can truly achieve their potential,” he said.
Karikal Valaven, Special Chief Secretary to Govt of Andhra Pradesh, Industries & Commerce, and E Venkat Narasimha Reddy, Vice Chairman & MD, Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, were the guest of honor for the Andhra Pradesh and Telangana round of the awards. They appreciated the platform for recognizing the SMEs of the region and highlighted the various steps taken by the government to empower homegrown businesses.
Raktim Das, Chief Growth Officer, TV9 Network said, “SAP and TV9 Network have joined hands to empower and celebrate India’s SMEs through two marquee initiatives – Dare2Dream Awards and Mentors of Global Bharat. We believe it is our foremost duty as India’s No.1 News Network to encourage the locomotive of Indian economy.”
Speaking about the initiative, Subramanian Ananthapadmanabhan, Vice President & Head of MidMarket Business, SAP India said, “Dare2Dream Awards is a tribute to all those visionary business leaders who have demonstrated innovation and digital mindset converting adversity into advantage. These Awards are an encouragement and an inspiration to the entire SME ecosystem to embrace digital first culture for innovation and growth.”
Nominations for the Dare2Dream were called in from across the country from October 20 to November 20. The initiative received an overwhelming response with over 1000 nominations. Leading consulting firm, EY, the official tabulator, after carefully poring over the nominations presented the eligible shortlists to a 6-member jury.
