Companies laud Modi's 'Start up India' call

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 69th Independence Day address to the nation with the slogan "Start up India, Stand up India" was lauded on Sunday by a host of companies in areas like mobile technology startup, mobile payments and gaming.

Thanking the prime minister for putting the focus on startups, Rohit Raghav, co-founder of mobile technology startup Phone Warrior said in a statement: "Whether it is helping producers sell their wares or removing inefficiencies in economy or creating tech winners for the future, Indian startups can play a pivotal role in PM's vision for India."

Modi on Saturday said the country's youth be given opportunities and support to become entrepreneurs in their own right, notably the deprived.

"In the coming days, start-ups will be promoted in every corner of the country. Start up India, Stand up India," the prime minister said.

"All banks in our country must contribute to a start-up revolution," he added.

"I'd like to congratulate our PM on yet another smart move. A strong startup ecosystem will certainly contribute significantly in our nation's growth," Ankush Gera, CEO of gaming company Junglee Games.

"As an integral part of the Indian e-commerce ecosystem, we shall definitely try and play our role in the initiative," said Nitin Gupta, CEO and co-founder, Payu India.

Neeraj Jain, co-founder, Zopper, said: "Encouraging startups is the easiest way to solve many problems of the country like employment creation, economic growth and making people lives better."

"A robust start up ecosystem and a strong entrepreneurial culture are the keys to rapid employment creation and more importantly, can create a huge global differentiator for India," said Harman Singh, CEO and founder of WizIQ.

Krishna Lakamsani, CEO, iPay Tech India said: "The initiative 'Start up India,

Stand up India' is first of its kind by central government. It is a great vision of our PM recognizing the entrepreneur ship and employment which comes out of it."