FM urges startups to focus on climate change solutions
Vananam Ventures Pvt Ltd, a Bengaluru- based alternative investment platform, held a Start-Up Inclusion Summit on Saturday, Nov 26, where the Honourable Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman was the Chief Guest. She appealed to the start-ups to focus on climate change and farming solutions. Addressing the national-level summit organised by Vananam to promote inclusion in the start-up ecosystem in India, she said, ''Atmanirbhar Bharat is not just for defence or strategic matters, food security or manufacturing areas. It is also self-sufficiency to be able to transition to a better climate in India.'' She urged the start-ups and investors to look beyond fintechs, Software as a Service start-up, and also give importance to less glamorous areas such as climate change solutions, improving the conditions of farmers and millet production. Emphasising on climate change solutions, Sitharaman said, ''More and more innovations for dealing with climate and climate change are going to be absolutely precious. Climate issues have a direct bearing on farming as well as on the supply chain in the country.'' ''The challenges that emerge out of unpredictable climatic conditions have a bearing on agriculture, urban living, water management, disaster management, construction of houses, industries, and national security,'' she added.