Narendra Modi sets iCreate to promote entrepreneurship

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone of International Centre of Entrepreneurship and Technology (iCreate). The incubation centre, to be headed by Infosys Chairman N R Narayan Murthy, aims to promote next generation entrepreneurs with emphasis on innovation and research.

Speaking after the ceremony, Modi said, "Twenty-first century would belong to knowledge power, and Gujarat would try to make India the world leader in knowledge. The centre aims to promote next-generation entrepreneurship in the country."

It was the right time to reap dividends of the demographic advantage of India, where 65 per cent of the population was below 35 years of age, Modi said.

The centre would have an MoU with Israel's leading technology and science university `Technion' for students, faculty and entrepreneurs exchange this July, said N V Vasani, a member of iCreate advisory board.

"We will also be looking to have tie-up with institutes of repute in Germany, France and US," he said.

Murthy said in reply to question from reporters: "If we can create even one entrepreneur in next two or three years who can do something to make the state and the country proud, we will think we have delivered."