India is moving ahead for water conservation and save water campaign with Janshakti4jalshakti. ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ or ‘Clean India Mission’ got a huge success during last tenure of PM Modi and next 5 years are crucial for water research and development industries. Following ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ Janshakti 4 Jalshakti will be next nationwide campaign. This nationwide campaign can be a gateway of opportunities for startup and entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurship demands innovative mind which can spot obstacles with challenges and come up with solutions. I got an opportunity to meet and discuss an amazing startup H2O Mantra with its founder Dr. Shailesh Kharkwal during a TV show for DD National. His journey inspired me to write this blog which could be helpful for many aspiring startups too.
Startup India will ensure contribution of talents not only to find possibilities but to create opportunities for youth. Water scientist Dr. Shailesh Kharkwal is an Indian, young and talented entrepreneur working with Singapore University. His start Up “H2O Mantra” is working on the same Jalshakti mission with the punchline Jal ka Bal. He has done a great job as an entrepreneur with GeM and thus he is an inspiration for many aspiring Startups or you can say a brand ambassador for Startup India/Government e-Market Place.
Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs are surely source of enthusiasm for young entrepreneurs but there are many young Indian entrepreneurs who established themselves despite adverse circumstances. For an Indian youth those young Indian entrepreneurs, who are aware of the challenges and obstacles in India, will be true path exhibitors.
The journey of Dr. Shailesh starts from Tanakpur, India to National University of Singapore. He gave innovations to Singapore and implementing same in the field of water conservation and treatment under Jalshakti mission for India as well. He is aware of the shortcomings of practical education, business challenges and government policies in India. This is the reason his case study easily explains start-up and innovation effectively in Indian perspective.
According to Dr. Shailesh, “Start-up India gave a big opportunity to young entrepreneurs who had hesitance to start their business among big business houses. In fact, simple ideology was that business can be started with a good finance.” Dr. Shailesh's further adds that major five things should be kept in mind before going for a startup.
According to Dr. Shailesh, “Startup India, Government E Marketing Platform, Skill India and Make in India are game changing schemes launched by the Prime minister. These schemes will not only create job opportunities but will raise contribution of youth in social entrepreneurship. Start-ups can’t be established only for monetary policies; it should also be focused on social entrepreneurship.”
Dr. Shailesh, is an IT Kharagpur alumni and later he did his PhD from National University of Singapore. He is a worldwide consultant for many water projects and working closely with Singapore government with many water projects. Dr. Shailesh believes that objective and thoughts should be clear before you decide for any start-up and when that start-up is for country’s favour then definitely it will have a bright future. Once entrepreneur is clear with thoughts and objective challenges can be resolved. Challenges an entrepreneur may come across:
Dr. Shailesh is equipped with Singapore expertise and technology those are not available with Indian water related Startups. Being a scientist Dr. Shailesh can introduce new techniques to resolve challenges. These factors helped him to earn trust of customers especially in government sectors. Obviously getting work is not big task for him.
The thing which needs to understand is that if the objective is clear then the money comes automatically. When the people having same thoughts come together objective will transform in bigger one.
Funding is mandatory for large scale government projects. Investors will only invest money when they find future prospects in startup’s objectives. Investors of Dr. Shailesh believed that his policies will yield good results in long run. This is the reason startup India and GeM shares Dr. Shailesh’s startup updates on Twitter and Facebook. Media also consider Dr. Shailesh’s opinion about water projects in India. In this way entrepreneur’s work get recognition and promotion without investment.
H2O Mantra came in existence soon after declaration of Start-up India. Dr. Shailesh gathered information about startup India and possible business complications in India. Dr. Shailesh Kharkwal and Prof. How Yong( Director, NUS Environment Research Institute, National University of Singapore) prepared a clear road map to overcome challenges in Indian start-up business.
There is huge difference between Indian and Singapore start-up culture. Singapore is an established country for start-ups and innovations. Even Singapore overtook superpower America in innovation index. When scientists from Singapore decided to work in India with Start-up innovation, they came across many business complexities and took help from Indian experts.
Dr. Shailesh has the biggest strength to research always. He researched and studied loop holes and facilities before starting company. After this research Dr. Shailesh registered at Government E Marketing platform and GeM opened new gateways for H2O Mantra.
Many start-ups sink because of lack of groundwork. Dreaming and motivational stories are not enough to start a company. Product innovation or expertise in a field is not sufficient. A start-up needs awareness about every aspect of business. Entire road map should be clear. Always take expert advice. Dr. Shailesh Kharkwal’s case study says reading, research and understanding business is more important than pursuing any degree or course.