Earlier in the week, Deeptesh and Dipesh Neshari of SREIT
Engineering College, Shiroda designed and presented a drone in the form of a
bird with a fabulous concept and revolutionary usability, at the Science Film
Festival of India organised by Vidhyan Parishad. The idea was conceptualised
after the boys were inspired by cartoons and Bollywood movie, Uri. They said
the bird could be used by the defence forces for surveillance or by airlines to
ward off birds flying in the way of an aircraft. This was a case of innovation,
no doubt. This however then begs us to ask the obvious question as to why this
was not more common. The state needs new industries to be set up and ensure
jobs are created. In an ideal situation it would be ideal for Goans to start
businesses and provide jobs to fellow Goans. But all that would require
innovation. How can it be nurtured in young Goans to help them make a mark?
Andre Shackleton, a consultant who assists various businesses in
the state and around the country, felt it was important to start at the grass
root level. He said it was important to nurture the entrepreneurial mindset in
college. Andre said “We have to create a shift from an employee mindset to that
of an entrepreneur. This will in time lead to more startups which could lead to
unicorns. The government is supportive of startups in Goa but it seems the
youth are not aware of the opportunities. The industry leaders need to come
forward to talk to the youth directly and inspire them with success stories and
also the challenges they will face in the future. Innovation and the setting up
of businesses should be a culture that is advocated right from when they enter
high school and college and beyond”.
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Blaise Costabir who runs a successful business in the state
pulled no punches when he said there was a problem because amongst the youth
there was an absence of the reading habit. It was important for the educational
system to focus more on practical experience instead of just rote learning. He
said “Why are there more patients in the US that is because they focus more on
the practical on the doing. How many o four students are reading and getting
involved in getting practical experience? We need more of that”.
Parag Loleykar who is
a director of BNI Goa said “Innovation is a need of an hour world is changing
every day to cope up with the speed pace and we relatable the only way is being
innovative innovation did not be only high-tech innovation it can be any
innovation that improves people lives keeping harmony with environment Goa has
a strong youth potential adopting right skill and right vision will help them
to be innovative in day to day life.”
However Pravin Kakode
an entrepreneur with considerable experience in Goa said it was important to
change the fundamentals of the system. He said “Our system forces us to follow
and follow the rules and discourages us from challenging things. We need to
change our approach to education. We need to move from exams to an open system.
We need to follow the system where problems have to be solved instead of
memorizing. Failure needs to be celebrated in a meaningful way. The government
and the banks should make available adventure capital. Today banks want
security when you go and ask them for a loan even when the government says
loans are available. The thinking has to change and that requires the education
system to be reworked.”
Skanden Warrier, an
ex army man who now runs a business in the state, said it was important to
create interest in the colleges. It was important, he said, to set up think
tanks populated by students and academics that should bring in people in non
regular careers to come and talk to the students. These people could talk about
opportunities perhaps in scuba diving or rock climbing and discuss the
investments that were required and their potential. He said “How many Goan
youth know of a job done by a girl in Mollem wildlife sanctuary where she was a
nature auditor and was involved in conservation and protection. It is important
to present these ideas in casual conversation. Most people when they talk of
vocational courses think of welding for example. You can think of being a rock
climber or a scuba diver. You can develop a career and a business there because
it is a niche market. We need to look at things in an innovative manner and
that needs innovative thinking.”
Perhaps
then Deeptesh and Dipesh Neshari may no longer be aberrations. But the norm.
