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Chancellor Phalguni Mookhopadhayay's intriguing talk at EAD 2022 reminisces the rich history of entrepreneurs in Bengal; busted various myths related to business

Image 296 - intriguing talk at EAD 2022

Brainware University collaborated with IIT Kharagpur as the Education Partner to organise Entrepreneurship Awareness Drive (EAD) 2022, Kolkata. The EAD is an initiative by the Entrepreneurship Cell of IIT Kharagpur that consists of a series of guest lectures by distinguished local entrepreneurs. In Kolkata, EAD 2022 was held at the auditorium of Brainware University on October 18, 2022. Phalguni Mookhopadhayay, Hon'ble Chancellor, Brainware University was present at the inauguration session and engaged the audience in an intriguing discussion from the rich history of entrepreneurship in Bengal to the current startup ecosystem.

"What is entrepreneurship?", " What is a startup?" - Mookhopadhayay placed these questions in front of the audience at the very start. There have been a lot of discussions on these trending terms and Chancellor Sir wished to clarify the concept of the students in this regard. "Entrepreneurship is selling your skill in public to offer a solution," he explained very simply. "An entrepreneur starts a business and maintains it," he added. "Startups have the capability of growing," he said while explaining the concept of startups.

While interacting with the students, Mookhopadhayay busted the common notion that only service holders have to work 9 to 5. "In a business, you have to work all the time," he clarified. "One has to constantly plan strategies to fulfill customer satisfaction," Mookhopadhayay shared the main 'mantra' while interacting with the students.

The Founder-Chancellor of Brainware University feels that the main quality that drives an entrepreneur is passion. "Nothing gives more satisfaction than developing something," he said.

Towards the end, Mookhopadhayay explored the rich tradition of entrepreneurs in Bengal, a lesser-known area among common people. He went on to share the exploits of Prince Dwarkanath Tagore with the students who were one of the first Indian industrialists to run jute mills, coal mines, and tea plantations. "Dwarkanath Tagore wanted to bring an industrial revolution in India," Mookhopadhayay said.

Finally, he focused on the advantages that are available today for those who want to start their entrepreneurial ventures. "When we started, we did not get any help from the government. IIT did not organise any awareness drive for us!" he said. On the contrary, young people at present have several advantages to their disposal to support them.