-APS Noorpuri
CHANDIGARH, APRIL 11, 2026: Underlining that more than 50% Startups today are being registered in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Cities, the former Union Information & Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur on Saturday said that Startups are the concrete barometer of trust rapsoed by our investors and business community in the Narendra Modi government’s policies.
Former Union Cabinet Minister Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur, while addressing the TiECon Chandigarh 2026 organized by TiE Chandigarh, urged India’s startup founders, entrepreneurs, and young business leaders to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunities created by the transformative laws and policy reforms of the Modi government over the past decade.
“India has moved beyond being a nation with emerging potential to becoming a nation that has realized its full potential, and now is the time to achieve global leadership, ” Thakur said, adding that today India is the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion.
“The country has over 212,000 DPIIT-recognized startups and more than 120 unicorns, making it the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, Thakur added.
We as the World’s 4th largest economy are ready to take that leap of faith today to tell the world about our capabilities in domains of IT, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence to make a global impact,” Thakur said while adding that steps including Startup India, Standup India, Insolvency Code reforms, Ease of doing Business have been producing multiplier impact on capital and revenue generation.
Later during a one-on-one free wheeling talk with Tie Chandigarh President Puneet Verma, the 5-time MP from Hamirpur admitted hat he loved playing Cricket more and he was never interested in coming into politics.
“I was just giving my best to the challenge of constructing a world class stadium at Dharamshala, the by-product of which led to my entry into active politics,” Thakur added.
I loved cricket and I was doing good as a cricketer while playing for Punjab when due to my father’s health concerns, I had to give up my cricketing dream,” the former Union Information & Broadcasting Minister said further.
The legal cases slapped on me during my struggle to help build Dharamshala Cricket Stadium opened another channel for me and I happened to join active politics, Thakur quipped urging youngsters to never feel let down and always think of drawing out a positive from adversity.
“Today the Stadium at Dharamshala is ranked as the most picturesque location by millions of cricket fans and visitors. The hard work out in by all of us has not only been recognised in the country but it has also brought a good name for the nation globally also,” Thakur said while remembering all the negative criticism which came his way during his struggle for the Stadium construction.
Replying to a question, Thakur a former BCCI President quipped that at times even people who are millionaire wish to see IPL by getting match passes.
“The truest fan for me is one who owns to the Stadium by buying tickets from his hard earned money and it is my duty to ensure that he is accorded the best fan experience, Thakur said to cheers from the audience.
Hosted annually in the City Beautiful, TiE Chandigarh has rightfully garnered its place in the calendar as the region’s largest entrepreneurial conclave and the most awaited IT event of the year where top business leaders, established investors, budding entrepreneurs, policy framers along with all those related with the IT and allied sectors alike converge. The event held each year witnesses enthusiastic participation from the leaders of the IT Industry from across the length and breadth of the country.
