Ahmedabad: Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad celebrated its 44th Foundation Day on 20th April 2026. The event was graced by Chief Guest, Shri Kishor Kharat, Former President – EDII; Former MD & CEO, Indian Bank and IDBI Bank Ltd. Also present on the occasion was Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII. Shri Kishor Kharat delivered an inspiring Foundation Day Address on ‘How to Succeed as an Entrepreneur’.
Dignitaries from the Government, corporates, Industry associations and the academia also attended the event which focussed on establishing how entrepreneurship, startups and innovations are shaping and accelerating socio-economic growth in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kishor Kharat said, “Entrepreneurs have remained a strong foundation of the Indian economy. The phenomenal rise of India from a poor nation to the 5th largest economy in just seven decades was possible because of these courageous entrepreneurs, who dared every challenge on their way and succeeded. Quite a few might have failed, but not without leaving a bit of their contribution in the growth story of India. I always derive immense pleasure in meeting and guiding the young entrepreneurs of our country. I am happy to be here at EDII, an institution with which I have had a close association, and to witness its continued contribution towards nurturing future entrepreneurs. I congratulate EDII on its 44th Foundation Day and wish the Institute continued success in its mission of strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the country.”
In his address, Dr. Sunil Shukla emphasized the potential of entrepreneurship. He said, “Today, amidst all policies and development models, entrepreneurship has a crucial role to play. It has given the confidence to the people of India to reclaim their ingenuity and spirit of enterprise. The tech and digital-first wave are inspiring our youth to adopt entrepreneurship as a career. I am also happy to state that the significance of training and mentorship in creating entrepreneurs has been established like never before. Renowned institutions today offer courses on entrepreneurship as people now acknowledge the power of knowledge, skills and determination in the growth of an enterprise and an entrepreneur.”
During the occasion, two coffee table books were also released:
- A coffee table book (Volume -1) on 55 success stories on EDII’s alumni of various long and short duration programmes who have been recognized for their exemplary work.
- The second coffee table book released on the occasion was on 100 successful beneficiaries of the Project – Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), supported by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. EDII is functioning as the National Resource Organization under Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP) (in 84 blocks of 15 States).
Today, EDII is partnering with several national and state government ministries & departments as well as corporates to partner with them in ensuring economic growth on the premise of new enterprise creation and livelihood generation, across sectors, regions of the country and sections of people.