Gudhi Padwa & Success: Learning the Art of New Beginnings with Dr. Tarita Shankar

Gudhi Padwa marks a new beginning, symbolizing growth, success, and fresh aspirations—an idea deeply reflected in Dr. Tarita Shankar’s journey. In her mentorship masterclass at Indira Global school of business, she emphasized how resilience, self-belief, and a never-give-up attitude can turn challenges into opportunities. Just as Gudhi Padwa encourages us to embrace new possibilities with optimism, her words inspire students to take charge of their dreams, push boundaries, and move forward with confidence.

“If you decide, you can achieve—no matter your circumstances.” These powerful words from Dr. Tarita Shankar set the tone for an inspiring mentorship masterclass at IGSB.

Through her guidance, she has been a guiding light, empowering young minds to believe in themselves and strive for excellence in every aspect of life.

Here are some six key lessons that left a lasting impact on me.

1.   The Power of a Never-Quit Attitude

Dr. Tarita Shankar’s life journey is a testament to unwavering determination. She reminded us that challenges are inevitable, but giving up is a choice.

Cultivating a mindset where setbacks become stepping stones to success is key.

2.   Resilience: The Ultimate Key to Success

Dr. Tarita Shankar faced numerous challenges but never let them define her. She taught us that setbacks are opportunities for growth, and determination paves the way to success.

3.  Leadership is About Impact, Not Position, True leadership isn’t

about authority—True leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about creating value and uplifting others. Dr. Shankar emphasized that a great leader is one who empowers and inspires.

Whether in a corporate setting or personal life, leadership is about making a difference, not just holding a titleit’s about creating value and uplifting others. Dr. Tarita Shankar emphasized that a great leader empowers and inspires.

4.  Learning Never Ends

In a fast-evolving world, adaptability is crucial. Dr. Tarita Shankar’s vision of building an educational institution highlights the importance of continuous learning. Her journey of establishing Indira Global school of Institutes reflects her commitment to education.

5.  The Power of Giving: Success Beyond Self

A striking takeaway from the session was the importance of giving back. Dr. Tarita Shankar built an institution not just for personal success but to empower others, impacting thousands of students.

6.  Believe in Yourself and Your Vision

Self-belief is the foundation of every great achievement. Dr. Tarita Shankar

urged us to trust our instincts, silence self-doubt, and stay committed to our goals.

Her w

ords instilled in me a newfound confidence to pursue my aspirations fearlessly.

Conclusion: Turning Inspiration into Action

This mentorship masterclass was more than just an inspiring session—it was a transformative experience. Dr. Tarita Shankar’s wisdom has given me a fresh perspective on challenges, leadership, and self-growth. As we step into a new year with Gudhi Padwa, I carry a renewed sense of purpose, ready to chase my dreams with determination and an attitude of giving back.

Key Learning: If there’s one lesson to take away, it’s this—believe in yourself, take action, and success will follow.

BLOG BY:

Samruddhi Kulkarni

(1st Year MBA-IGSB)

Budget 2025-26: A Blueprint for a Viksit Bharat

 Introduction:

The word budget is not mentioned nor defined in the Indian Constitution. In fact, it is known as Annual Financial Statement (AFS) under article 112 of the Indian Constitution. The budget should be presented by The President of India, but on his/her behalf Finance Minister present the budget in the lower house (Lok Sabha) of the Parliament.

The AFS goes through 6 stages like,

·        Presentation of budget,

·        General discussion in Lower House (Lok Sabha),

·        Scrutiny by the departmental committees,

·        Voting on demand and passing of cut motions (Token, Policy & Economy),

·        Passing of appropriation bill (expenditure)

·        Finally, the passing of finance bill (taxation).

The latest budget sets a bold vision for economic growth, inclusivity, and innovation, focusing on Middle class, Youth, Annadata (farmers), etc.

 Some of the Key Highlights of the budgets are as follows:

1] Boost to Agriculture & Rural Economy:

National Mission on High Yielding Seeds to develop seeds with high yield, pest resistance & resilient towards climate change. Makhana Board in Bihar for agricultural enhancement (Lots of Bihar centric initiatives announced). Aatmanirbharta in Pulses with a 6-year mission on Tur, Urad, and Masoor to meet ever-rising demand & increase the income of the annadata.  Aatmanirbharta in Urea by setting up a plant in Assam to reduce dependency on imports.

2] Empowering MSMEs & Startups:

Change in the definition of MSME & a MSME credit cards with a ₹5 lakh limit for micro-enterprises because, government want to ease the credit facilities to increase investment as they comprise 36% of manufacturing & 45% of exports. Increased the Startup funds corpus by 20,000 crores from earlier 10,000 crores. This is a Positive sign for the budding future entrepreneurs & leaders like us. This shows government approach to promote innovation, creativity and sustainability.

3] Investment in Human Capital:

Government will set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (under Atal Innovation Mission) in government schools in next 5 years to provide students the hand-on experience that helps them in critical thinking, innovation and creativity. AI (Artificial Intelligence) Centre of Excellence in Education with ₹500 crore allocation as well as by offering free membership for the initial participants. In addition, absorbing 6500 students in 5 IITs and create additional 10,000 seats in medical education with the goal of adding 75000 seats in next 5 years. The timeliest focus was given to provide Social Security relief for platform workers (gig workers) under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and registration on e-Shram portal.

4] lnvestment in economy:

The nuclear energy mission to generate 100GW of nuclear energy by 2047 from the current 6.8GW to reduce GHG's emissions, achieve Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) promised at Paris Agreement 2015 and revised at Glasgow summit (COP 26), Panchamrit targets and eventually achieve net-neutrality by 2070. Budget announced ship building clusters to reduce dependency on foreign shipping clients & develop aatmanirbharta as well as a robust ecosystem for indigenous ship building (we had negative experience amid Russia-Ukraine war).

5] Tax & Financial Reforms:

This was the most exciting part of the budget as we all settled in seminar hall cheered for the extensive tax relief announced by our finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to the citizens (especially to the middle class). Our former & late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley once said "Every taxpayer is the nation's builders" & to honour the honest taxpayer our beloved Nirmala Tai announced that there will be no income tax till 12 lakh and for salaried person till 12.75 lakh. She also announced the introduction of the New Income Tax bill with a new tax rebate proposed in the next week and it will replace the existing Income Tax Act, 1961. However, due to this historic tax relief the Government of India will lose 1 lakh crores & 2.5 lakh crores through the direct & Indirect tax respectively.

On the other hand, the Government also needs to emphasize reducing the fiscal deficit (Total government expenditure & its total revenue) by bringing down to 3% as per Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003(FRBM Act, 2003) which is currently 4.8% (F.Y 2024-25) of GDP to make India a favourable destination for investors to invest and to boost prosperity. In addition, to encourage R&D and innovation in the country, the Government needs to increase investment. If we look at the figures, India invests only $17.2 billion (0.67% of GDP), whereas China invests $496.5 billion (3.2 % of their GDP). If we truly want to call ourselves the Vishwaguru, then it's high time to invest in R&D.

Finally, from the defence budget (8% of the GDP) perspective, India needs to at least provide $100 billion to counter the rising two front war situation with China & Pakistan as well as for the modernization of defence infrastructure through R&D, indigenous manufacturing & sign new defence deals to achieve true Aatmanirbharta. "Because nobody respects your soft power unless & until you have hard power".

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, budget 2025-26 is all about driving economic transformation, empowering people and fostering innovation. The roadmap to become Viksit Bharat by 2047 can be achieved through the holistic emphasize on every aspect of society by promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development for generation to come.

Prafull Dhanaji Shinde                                                                      

Batch: IGSB 2024-26                    

Mail id: prafull.shinde@indiraigsb.edu.in

Mobile No.: 7522908903

LinkedIn id: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prafullshinde18

Sikho India!

 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently presented the Budget for the financial year 2025-26 in Parliament. In this budget, some important provisions have been made for the education sector  which will benefit the education sector and students. Moreover, these provisions will also directly and indirectly benefit the economy of our country. A review of some such provisions is as follows.

 

1) Artificial Intelligence

 

A provision of Rs. 500 crore has been made in this budget to start a Center for Excellence in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This will not only benefit the students studying in this field, but will also radically change the way of education.

 

2) Digital Books

 

The Finance Minister presented a plan in this budget to convert books in various regional languages ​​of the country into digital format. This will enable students of schools and colleges to view the best literature in their mother tongue in digital format. This scheme will be implemented through the joint efforts of the Indian Language Committee and the UGC and it is estimated that about 22,000 books in various regional languages ​​will be made available in digital format.

 

3) Medical Colleges

 

To strengthen the healthcare system in the country and increase the availability of experts in this field, a decision was taken in this budget to increase the number of students in medical colleges across the country by ten thousand new capacity. A proposal was also made in this budget to increase this capacity by 75,000 admissions in the next five years. This will not only benefit students who want to pursue a career in the medical field, but it will also indirectly contribute to boosting the economy.

 

4) Indian Knowledge System

 

A few years ago, the Union Ministry of Education established the ‘Indian Knowledge System’ project to bring the knowledge of ancient Indian knowledge tradition to students of various courses. This ancient knowledge, available in many subjects like architecture, mathematics, agriculture, environment, astronomy, is conveyed to students at various levels from school education to higher education. For this, a provision of Rs. 50 crore has been made in this budget. This provision is 7.70% more than last year.

 

5) Research Scholarship

 

In order to ensure that more students participate in the field of research and get financial support, the scope of the Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship scheme has been expanded in this budget. It has been proposed to provide research scholarships to ten thousand students in the Indian Institute of Technology and the Indian Institute of Science in the next five years.

 

6) Atal Tinkering Lab

 

With the aim of developing a scientific attitude among school students and youth, the NITI Aayog had launched the Atal Tinkering Lab experiment across the country a few years ago. As a next step, this budget proposes to set up 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools across the country in the coming years. The necessary broadband internet connection facilities will also be provided in these schools.

 

7) Make for the World

 

The  youth will be taught the necessary skills for 'Make for India' and 'Make for the World' based on international partnerships and modern technology. Apart from this, 50 tourist destinations in the country will be developed under the 'Challenge Mode' scheme. Which will benefit the citizens there.

 

As mentioned above, all these provisions will benefit the education sector and students and at the same time, it will also benefit the economy.

Dr. Virendra Tatake

The Buzz on Indian Startups: A city to city breakdown

Ever heard of all these cool Indian startups? Flipkart, Ola, Paytm – they're all changing the way we live! But did you know these companies all come from different parts of India? Yep, the startup scene isn't just one big city – it's like a giant puzzle with each region offering a different piece. So, grab your chai and let's explore the exciting world of Indian startups, city by city! 

The Big Three: Where Startups Rule the Roost (Over 100 billion USD Invested!) 

First up, we have the rockstars – Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai. These cities are the undisputed champions, attracting the brightest minds with tons of funding and a happening vibe. 

Bengaluru: The OG Startup Hub (180,000+ Startups!) 

Imagine a city that never sleeps, but instead of parties, it's filled with students-turned-entrepreneurs brainstorming ideas! That's Bengaluru for you! This southern city is the king of startups, with giants like Flipkart (online shopping) and Ola (ride-hailing) born here. It's also crawling with companies making money matters easier with futuristic apps. Why is Bengaluru so hot? Think awesome universities churning out smart minds, and investors with pockets full of cash ready to back great ideas. Basically, if you have a cool startup idea, Bengaluru is the place to be! 

Delhi NCR: Startups with a Cause (Focus on Social Impact!) 

Head north and you'll find Delhi NCR, a region with a different kind of startup scene. Sure, tech startups exist here, but the real action is in helping people! Think innovative solutions for making public transport smoother, education more fun, and healthcare accessible to everyone. Being close to the government and having top universities means these startups have the brains and resources to make a real difference. 

Mumbai: Where Money Meets Ideas (Fintech Powerhouse!) 

Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, isn't just about Bollywood dreams. It's also a breeding ground for startups that make managing your money a breeze! Payment apps like Paytm and loan platforms like ZestMoney all started their journeys here. And let's not forget entertainment! Mumbai is buzzing with startups creating amazing content and mastering the art of online marketing. With a pool of finance experts and investors ready to back a good idea, Mumbai is the perfect launchpad for any business with a money-making mind. 

Beyond the Big Three: Local Heroes Stealing the Show 

The story doesn't end with the big three! Several cities across India are emerging as serious players, each with its own specialty. 

Chennai: Your Healthcare Hero (Telemedicine and Medical Devices!) 

Down south in Chennai, startups are revolutionizing healthcare. Imagine talking to a doctor through your phone or using cool gadgets for checkups – that's what Chennai's healthcare startups are all about. The city has a strong medical background with top hospitals, making it a magnet for healthcare entrepreneurs. 

Pune: The IT Prodigy Coming of Age (AI and Robotics Hub!) 

Pune, nestled in the mountains, is transforming into a major IT hub. From companies building artificial intelligence (AI) that can outsmart you to robotics startups creating robots that can do your chores – Pune is a hotbed for innovation in these mind-blowing fields. What's the fuel behind this? Prestigious engineering colleges and a government that supports startups. Pune is definitely a city to watch in the IT race. 

Hyderabad and Ahmedabad: (Cleantech and Agritech on the Rise!) 

Even smaller cities are getting in on the action. Hyderabad, the City of Pearls, is seeing a surge in cleantech ventures – think startups tackling waste management and developing ways to use the sun's power. These eco-warriors are all about building a sustainable future for our planet. Meanwhile, Ahmedabad, a textile hub, is witnessing a rise in agritech startups. These companies are developing solutions for farmers, from data-driven irrigation systems to AI that can diagnose plant diseases. With a rich agricultural heritage, Ahmedabad's startups are ensuring our farmers have the tools they need to succeed. 

What Makes a City Startup-Friendly? (Support Systems are Key!) 

So, why do some cities become startup havens? Well, a few things are key. Firstly, a supportive government! Think programs that help young companies get on their feet and tax breaks to keep their finances healthy. Additionally, co-working spaces and incubator programs provide startups with a collaborative environment to share ideas and resources. Basically, these cities create an ecosystem where startups can thrive! 

The Mighty Indian Startup Industry: By the Numbers (as of 2023) 

The Indian startup scene is booming! Here's a glimpse at its impressive size: 

• Number of Startups: Over 1.12 million DPIIT-recognized startups are flourishing across India, creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation. That's a massive pool of entrepreneurial minds tackling challenges and building the future 

• Funding Inflow: Indian startups have collectively raised over $140 billion USD in funding since their inception. This indicates a strong investor appetite for promising Indian ventures. While funding witnessed a dip in 2023 due to global economic factors, it's still a significant amount.  

• Unicorn Boom: India boasts over 100 unicorns – private companies with a valuation exceeding $1 billion USD. This signifies the presence of a growing number of highly successful startups.  

Beyond the Big Numbers: A Diverse Landscape 

The Indian startup industry isn't just about quantity – it's about quality  

• Sectoral Focus: Startups are flourishing across various industries, with IT services (13%), healthcare and life sciences (9%), education (7%), agriculture (5%), and food & beverages (5%) being some of the key areas. This diversity ensures solutions are being developed for a wide range of needs. (Source: Statista https://www.statista.com/topics/4839/startups-in-india/) 

• Geographical Spread: The startup revolution isn't limited to metros. Over 763 districts across India have DPIIT-recognized startups. This fosters innovation across the country, not just in major cities. (Source: Invest India https://www.investindia.gov.in/startup-india-hub) 

The Future Looks Bright 

Despite the temporary funding slowdown in 2023, the Indian startup industry is on a strong growth trajectory. With a large pool of talent, government support, and a growing culture of entrepreneurship, India is well-positioned to become global leader in the startup space. So, keeping an eye on this exciting ecosystem – the future is full of possibilities! 

 

  MBA Student                                  Mentored by 

Dheeraj Londhe                                         Dr. Anuradha Phadnis