PM Modi Addresses Start-Up Konnect Programme in Silicon Valley: Highlights

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is addressing the India-US StartUp Konnect in Silicon Valley. This is his third major interaction today, following a townhall at Facebook Headquarters and visit to Google campus.

Following are the highlights of the session:  

• Let's give a big hand to our outstanding young exhibitors today.
• It is a great pleasure to be here. For me, this is a special event because the idea of start-ups is close to my heart.
• When I shifted to Delhi last year, I thought of my government as a start-up.
• I often said if there is a strong wind blowing, some may try to shut the window, others will try to put up a windmill.
• Start-ups have always been the engines of progress.
• The idea of start-ups is as ancient as this world.
• No community is shaping the world as much as this one on the Californian coast.
• India's own ecosystem of startups is evolving rapidly. It is driven by the energy, enterprise and innovation of our youth.
• We have a huge market with rapid growth and untapped opportunities in every area.
• We have here today an outstanding group of start-ups from India. They are applying technology to transform health care, education, agriculture, clean energy and access to clean water.
• Beyond private and public sector, I speak of a new personal sector of individual enterprises, micro enterprises and micro finances.
• I see start-ups, not as short-term investments but as long-term commitments.
• I want to see the spirit and idea of start-ups light up rural India.
• That is why I focused on start-ups in my Independence Day speech.
• I promise you we will not bundle innovation in bureaucracy.
• I am honoured to launch the Bharat Fund today - which stands not just for India, but also for Better Health, Agriculture, Renewables and Tech.