Enabling MSMEs for empowering people is the Way Forward Captain said Dibya Shankar Mishra, Minister (Independent Charge) for MSMEs, Industries, Energy and Home (s), Government of Odisha said as he was speaking after inaugurating the virtual conference “Empowering Manufacturing MSMEs in India” organised by Machine Maker, along with its industry partners, celebrating World MSME Day 2021.
The virtual conference provided a fitting platform for the Indian MSMEs in view of World MSME Day which is celebrated on 27th June by the United Nations every year to acknowledge the role of MSMEs in the economy and empower MSMEs worldwide. The virtual event organized on 30th June 2021 witnessed the Indian industry coming together to celebrate the achievements of manufacturing MSMEs in the country. Nord Drivesystems India, IG Drones, AMS India and Rajamane Industries collaborated with Machine Maker to organise this virtual conference, which had five sessions including a panel discussion on Indo German collaborations for Indian Manufacturing, and an industry debate about the role of MSMEs in developing local manufacturing of Electric Vehicle Motors.
COVID19: A lesson to be learnt to Protect Nature
“World MSME Day is more relevant in the midst of the present crisis of pandemic. These are challenging times but at the same time livelihood must continue. An MSME plays a very important role in supporting us and providing livelihood”, spoke Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra, Minister (Independent Charge) for MSMEs, Industries, Energy and Home (s), Government of Odisha inaugurating the virtual conference. The conference was attended by an esteemed panel of industry leaders who discussed, debated and shared their knowledge and experience.
Captain Mishra in his speech shared insights into how crucial MSMEs have become even in the state. “Under the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, the MSME sector has really evolved in Odisha. Even in the remote heavily forested regions of Odisha, the MSMEs have arrived and are working with the community. That is the best part.” The minister expressed his gratitude to all the unsung heroes who have contributed to the emergence of MSMEs in the state as well as globally. “I thank each one of the people who contributed towards making SMEs and MSMEs a way of living and providing economic benefits to millions of people across the globe,” he said.
Speaking of Odisha’s stable policy towards industry and business, especially focused on MSMEs, Captain Mishra announced that Odisha has a huge infrastructure coming up for MSMEs in every district. The MSME parks, five new seaports, the coastal highway and railway, market linkage, banking support and of course the subsidies by the state government are providing a platform for the MSMEs to grow even during the pandemic situation.
Minister Captain Dibya Shankar Mishra emphasized the point of protecting the environment as well and MSMEs’ role, “this pandemic is teaching humanity the lesson to protect nature. MSMEs should take measures to protect the environment, ensure to keep the animal kingdom at the place where it needs to be. Whatever is done or produced should be environment friendly and that should be their motto.”
Recounting the grit and determination of Arunima Sinha who became the only amputee climber in the world to have reached the peak of Mount Everest despite her major injuries sustained from a horrible accident while travelling in a train, Captain Mishra urged the MSMEs saying, “That should be the spirit, to move with life ahead despite all odds put together and strive to build a better world for all.”
MSMEs Are the Drivers of Growth
Vijay Kalra, Head, Mahindra Institute of Quality & Chairman Central Safety Council, Mahindra Group, praised Machine Maker for initiatives such as this to bring about change and scope for manufacturing MSMEs in the country. Mr Kalra mentioned that 6.3 crore MSME units contributing to 29% of GDP will be the backbone of the country’s economy. He said the contribution coming from the MSMEs has to be considered when the country is targeting a five trillion-dollar economy.
As for Atmanirbhar Bharat, Vijay Kalra said, “We are not much dependent on the world for the things one cannot live without. Overdependence on the world for difficult and critical supply chains needs a little bit of correction so that we can, really, call ourselves Atmanirbhar. For the long run, we need to develop the strengths and we have to have a good business model.” “What we have are the people! And that is the best possible recourse and a mindset that really promotes the skill.”
Vijay Kalra emphasized the need to learn the practices of new product development, lean manufacturing and sustainability. He added, “The most important thing that Government and society can do is to ensure knowledge and best practices reach the people across MSMEs, even to the last person.” He urged the Indian society to be more respectful towards skilled workers like mechanics, plumbers, and drivers. Mr Kalra suggested a platform and Award ceremony for the skilled workforce.
Odisha Skill Development To Collaborate with German Manufacturers
Echoing the point of Captain Mishra, G Reghu IAS, Director of Directorate of Technical Education and Training, Government of Odisha said that the state of Odisha gives a lot of emphasis on the development of the youth. “ITIs and polytechnics form the bedrock of most of the MSMEs, but they have been neglected.”
Reghu G IAS spoke about Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s dream project World Skill Centre – the best technical education centre in the country is all set to open for students. He also spoke about the importance of bringing women to the forefront and appreciated the work done by the ITIs in the state. Mr Reghu also appealed to the German manufacturing companies to look at the industrial training facilities at Odisha, and collaborate to bring the traditional German dual system which can help the students to be industry-ready.
Rashmi Ranjan Mohapatra, President, Titanium Equipment and Anode Manufacturing Company Limited (TEAM) mentioned five points that impact MSMEs. “Adoption of technology, trained workforce, procurement of raw material, bridging the gap between governmental policies and schemes and industry’s awareness about them, and finally the need for the MSMEs of being cohesive – these are the major factors for MSMEs”, he said.
The virtual conference had an insightful Knowledge Sharing Session – “Impact of Germany in World Manufacturing and Business Sentiments in BRIC Countries” presented by Rajesh Nath, Managing Director at German Engineering Federation (VDMA) India. The Panel Discussion of the conference was on the subject of “Indo German Collaboration for Indian Manufacturing”. Priya Rawat, the Vice President of Invest India, PL Muthusekkar, Managing Director, Nord Drivesystems India, Indradev Babu, President IMTMA & Managing Director, UCAM India, Bhavana Bindra, Managing Director, REHAU South Asia, Vijay S Beriwal, President IIF, Chairman, Vidit Group and Manoj Barwe, India Head – BVMW (German Federal Association of SMEs) spoke extensively on the subject.
The Technology Session moderated by Nishant Kashyap, Director of Marketing and PR at Truventor AI “Opportunities in Additive Manufacturing for India MSMEs” was led by Rajiv Dhawan, Regional Manager, Advanced Mechanical Services, India. Their interaction threw light on the prospects of Additive Manufacturing in India.
The Industry Debate session saw experts speaking on various issues related to Electric vehicles. Moderated by Hari Shanker, “Role of MSMEs in EV Motor Manufacturing” had distinguished speakers Kannan Lakshminarayan, Professor of Practice Department of Engineering Design, IIT Madras, Rajendra S Rajamane at Managing Director, Rajmane Industries, Suresh Todkar, Promoter Director, at Deogiri Electronics Cluster and BVN Madhu Co-founder of Rizel Automotive.
The Incredible Story of Raghuvir Kothari
In his welcome note and opening remarks, Hari Shanker, Managing Editor of Machine Maker spoke about Raghuvir Kothari, a representative of thousands of Manufacturing MSME Entrepreneurs in the country who are playing a major role in building the country’s fundamental economy. “We are proud to tell the story of Raghuvir Kothari, and will continue to do so”, added Hari Shanker.