EDC Orientation '14

Vishala Deshpande | Features Editor

Navi Mumbai: The nature of being an entrepreneur is that one is fully comfortable with being challenged regularly. Consequently, the orientation conducted by the Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) of SIES GST was attended by 175 young zealous EDC members and non-EDC members.

The audience was warmly welcomed by our cordial host, Vinay Hegde. The seminar began with a courageous and informative pep talk video by the famous first - generation Indian entrepreneur, filmmaker and author, Varun Agarwal. 

In a world where everyone wants us to 'think' and follow the conventional route to success, Varun Agarwal shared a very different mantra. "Don't think," he advised the students. He told the students to have a broad minded view about their career options and also showed them how we are never too old to try what we love.

The audience went all 'Oohs' and 'Aahs' as a video of 'Famous Failures' was shown; it highlighted the initial hardships and subsequent success of various well known personalities.

The auditorium buzzed with activity as the most awaited guest of the evening, Mr. Aditya Gandhi, made his entry. He got a rousing welcome from the audience and Mrs. Sumitra Iyer, Student Council in-charge presented him with a memento.

Mr. Aditya Gandhi, an IIT alumni, is the young and successful founder of Purple Squirrel Eduventures, an IIT Bombay company and also an eloquent speaker. The business tycoon enlightened the audience about business incubators, an entrepreneur's outlook and his courage to take risk.

After that, our very own, ever-enthusiastic SIES GST alumni, Bharat Shankar, elaborated on the five virtues of business and also the functions of EDC for the coming five months. His speech enthralled everyone as he called upon students to go ahead with their plans to pursue what they desire and focus on 'their world' rather than 'the world'. The audience had a hilarious time as he quoted some excerpts and short stories. After his diligent speech, chairman of the EDC, Arjun Toshiwal announced the launching of the splendid EDC website, www.edc.siesgst.ac.in

Lastly, Amreen Muneer declared the long-awaited results of Imprenditore and a prize money of Rs. 15,000 was awarded to the winners, the team 'Happy', for their excellent performance in the competition. The seminar was concluded by a short vote of thanks by council member Nikita Dhumal.

The seminar covered all aspects and ideas required for a budding entrepreneur. It was a huge success under the guidance of EDC Vice Chairman Hitendra Singh. In just two hours, the seminar had filled the audience with zest and fervor for business startups and entrepreneurship.

The objective of the seminar was well achieved and can be summed up in the words of Mark Zuckerberg as, "It is important for young entrepreneurs to be adequately self-aware to know what they do not know."