MUMBAI: The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India, today launched ‘Navachar Mantra’ – a national initiative focused on strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for innovators across emerging India. The programme is being implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi serving as the Technical Knowledge Partner.

The initiative was launched by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, at IIT Delhi in the presence of policymakers, startup ecosystem leaders, academic institutions, investors, and young entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education, Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “The world should not only use products made in India but should use technologies imagined in India, that is the true spirit of Navachar Mantra. Whether it is artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green energy, biotechnology, digital public infrastructure, or advanced manufacturing, the next wave of global transformation must carry India’s intellectual imprint. Not because of ambition alone, but because India possesses something unique: the scale of challenges, the diversity of realities, and the talent of young minds capable of solving problems at a global level.”

“On this occasion, I would also urge young innovators to pursue ideas and careers that genuinely excite and inspire them. These are life decisions, and you have to be happy with what you choose to do. Do not pursue something that does not bring you fulfilment, because over time it will weigh on you from within. The most meaningful innovations are often created by people who wake up every day looking forward to their work, driven not just by opportunity, but by purpose and passion. Navachar Mantra is about creating an ecosystem where such ideas and such innovators can thrive,” he further added.

A key highlight of the event was a fireside chat titled “Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey: From Grassroots Innovation to National Scale”, which brought together accomplished entrepreneurs and innovators from diverse sectors. The session featured Shri Rajat Vardhan, Founder & CEO, Scanxt Scientific Technologies, as moderator, alongside Shri Sandeep Agarwal, Founder, Droom; Shri Bipin Preet Singh, Founder & CEO, MobiKwik; Dr. Jagadis Gupta Kapuganti, Founder, Fruvetech Pvt. Ltd.; and Ms. Meenal Gupta, Founder, Easiofy Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Drawing from their own entrepreneurial journeys, the panellists shared valuable insights on innovation, resilience, scaling ventures, and building sustainable businesses, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators in attendance.

Navachar Mantra is a transformative national initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aimed at identifying, nurturing, and amplifying India’s most promising grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs. Implemented by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) in partnership with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, the programme seeks to create pathways for innovators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, aspirational districts, and underserved geographies to access mentorship, visibility, and growth opportunities.

The initiative is designed to provide a structured ecosystem of support for innovators working across priority sectors such as Agritech, HealthTech, EdTech, and Skilling, Climate and Sustainability, Rural Commerce, and MSME Enablement. Through Navachar Mantra, innovators will gain direct access to policymakers, industry leaders, investors, and domain experts, enabling them to refine their ideas, strengthen business models, and accelerate their journey from innovation to enterprise.

Following the launch, registrations are now open for applications from innovators and entrepreneurs across the country through a dedicated digital platform. The last date of registration is July 5, 2026. A rigorous multi-stage evaluation process involving experts from academia, industry, investment firms, and government institutions will be undertaken to identify high-potential ventures. The programme is expected to attract applications from across India, with a special focus on innovators creating solutions for local challenges and community impact.

Selected innovators will be inducted into a year-long engagement programme comprising mentorship roundtables, thematic webinars, innovation showcases, investor interactions, and national-level storytelling platforms. Participants will receive tailored guidance on business development, market access, regulatory compliance, intellectual property, fundraising, and scaling strategies. The programme will also facilitate opportunities for pilot projects, partnerships, and market linkages to help promising innovations translate into sustainable enterprises.

A key feature of Navachar Mantra will be its focus on visibility and recognition. Through ministerial podcasts, innovation showcases, digital campaigns, and ecosystem events, selected innovators will be provided national exposure and a platform to share their journeys with a wider audience. The programme will culminate in a national showcase event, bringing together innovators, industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem stakeholders to celebrate innovation-led entrepreneurship and chart pathways for future growth.

By building a robust pipeline of grassroots innovators and connecting them with the country’s leading institutions and networks, Navachar Mantra aims to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem and contribute to the vision of a self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and innovation-driven Viksit Bharat.

The launch event was attended by several distinguished dignitaries and senior officials, including Shri Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training (DGT); Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE); Ms. Archana Mayaram, Economic Adviser, MSDE; Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi; Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director General, NIESBUD and Dr. Nikhil Agarwal, MD, FITT – IIT Delhi. The event also witnessed participation from senior representatives of government ministries, industry, academia, innovation institutions, startup ecosystem enablers, and other partner organisations.

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SOUTH AFRICA: The 2024 edition of the nationwide grassroots, Get Into Rugby (GIR) programme targeted at children aged six to 13 is officially underway and heads to the Free State province on Thursday, 18 July.

A festival event, two days before the world champions’ Test Match against Portugal in Bloemfontein, will take place to officially mark the return of the Engen-sponsored Get Into Rugby season.

The grassroots rugby initiative saw 244 788 boys and girls play the game across all nine provinces of the country in 2023, touching the lives of 114 281 boys and 130 507 girls, who might previously have never experienced organized sport, let alone rugby.

The program also offers young, aspirant rugby coaches, both male and female, an opportunity to develop their rugby coaching skills – a key aspect that aligns with Engen Sports’ values of creating a holistic platform for youth sport development.

Engen Brand & Sponsorship Manager, Tsholo Tiro, said that Engen was looking forward to another season of impacting and contributing to the growth of rugby in South Africa through the programme.

“The Engen Get Into Rugby program is quite important to Engen due to its unique ability to reach children at the grassroots level,” said Tiro.

“Over the years, sport has proven to be a fundamental aspect of the growth of children. As proud sponsors of this program, Engen takes pride in contributing to a unique platform that encourages not only sport development, but the holistic development of the children to ensure that rugby and society benefit from well-groomed future rugby players.”

The festival in Bloemfontein will be visited by Springbok players to add inspiration and impetus to the young players, while Rian Oberholzer, CEO of SA Rugby emphasized the importance of providing new experiences and opportunities to young people.

“The Get Into Rugby program has successfully introduced hundreds of thousands of children to rugby and sport over the many years and we’re grateful for Engen’s continued support,” said Oberholzer.

“This program is the first rung on a ladder that leads to our men’s and women’s Springbok teams. But, as much as that, it offers an opportunity to play organized sport for many children who would not ever have the chance to experience it.”

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This exciting alliance marks a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy and also aims to revolutionize the sports academy franchise landscape in India.

The Academy has delivered across 330 school avenues and 100 franchises across Australia. The key objective for its expansion in India is to provide young players with access to high-quality training and development opportunities by focusing on mental well-being.

With exceptional achievements in Australia, Sport Star Academy has rapidly emerged as a quality children’s sports programs academy for creating a movement of change for tomorrow’s grassroots leaders. Starting over from only one sport, Football Star Academy in 2010 to 12 sports in 2024, the journey has been commendable for the company.

Commenting on the business expansion, Peter Nikolakopoulos, Founder and CFE, of Sport Star Academy stated “As we expand Sport Star Academy into the vibrant and diverse market of India, we are not just bringing coaching expertise, we are igniting a passion for sports and fostering a culture of excellence within local communities. Our goal is to empower young players with the skills, confidence, and values they need to succeed, both on and off the field. Through Sports Star Academy in India, we aim to make a lasting impact, shaping future leaders and champions who will inspire generations to come”.

Gaurav Marya, Chairman, Franchise India Group also expressed the excitement of collaboration, saying “The sports business in India is rapidly expanding and represents the next great opportunity. Training is the first and most important phase in professional sports, and it should begin from an initial stage. If we want to develop Olympic athletes in the next 20 years, we must train them to begin playing at the age of 4-5 years. This alliance will result in a significant revolution in the sports business”.

The two companies are collectively set to drive growth in the sports industry with three key objectives: skill-based development, mental well-being and community building. By encouraging children and adolescents to engage in regular physical activity through organized sports programs, Sport Star Academy can contribute to reducing sedentary lifestyles and combating issues like childhood obesity.

Through its programs, Sport Star Academy aims to help young athletes in India build strong mental foundations, equipping them to navigate life’s challenges both on and off the field. By establishing sports programs in Indian communities, Sport Star Academy can contribute to community cohesion and foster a sense of belonging among participants which can lead to stronger social ties, increased civic engagement, and a more inclusive society.

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