Sri City, November 22, 2024: A delegation of over 530 participants from the Jagriti Yatra, a transformative initiative promoting youth entrepreneurship, visited Sri City. The Yatra, an 8,000-km nationwide journey by train, aims to inspire young minds by connecting them with India’s leading social and business entrepreneurs. The team consists of 13 expat delegates hailing from the Americas and Europe.
While exploring Sri City, the yatris engaged in an interactive session with Dr. Ravindra Sannareddy, Founder and Managing Director of Sri City, who was acclaimed as a role model by the Jagriti Sewa Sansthan. Addressing the delegates’ questions, he shared insights into his experiences and the challenges encountered while developing Sri City as a global manufacturing hub. Highlighting its role in shaping India’s industrial landscape, driving employment, and championing sustainability, he remarked: “Sri City is a vibrant satellite city fostering industrial growth and innovation. Home to over 220 industries from 30 countries, it reflects the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Vikasit Bharat, driven by Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. With 65,000+ employees, a majority being women, and institutions like IIIT and Krea University, Sri City seamlessly integrates education with enterprise. Its cutting-edge infrastructure and transformative skill-building initiatives make it a model of sustainable growth and socio-economic progress.”
Dr. Sannareddy shared his optimism, highlighting that Sri City, with leading AC brands and component suppliers working together, is set to produce over half of India’s air conditioners and drive 80% of the nation’s AC exports. He also expressed hope that the visit would spark entrepreneurial inspiration among the delegates.
The delegates, divided into small groups, examined cutting-edge industrial infrastructure and visited manufacturing facilities for companies such as Havells, Epack Durable, Ball Corporation, Thermax, McWene, ZTT, MMD Heavy Machinery, ALF India, Bergen Pipe Supports, RSB Transmissions, and Breaks India. They were impressed by the large-scale, vibrant industrial ecosystem and its job-creating potential.
Mr. Ashutosh Kumar, CEO of Jagriti Yatra, expressed gratitude to Sri City for hosting the delegates. “Sri City is a stellar example of a holistic business city, offering unparalleled opportunities for investment and entrepreneurship. Since our first visit in 2016, it has left a lasting impression on all participants,” he remarked.
The Jagriti Yatra initiative, supported by the State Bank of India and the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), has become a pioneering movement for fostering entrepreneurship. By targeting youth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 regions, the Yatra nurtures solutions to India’s pressing challenges while building a robust entrepreneurial ecosystem. Since its inception in 2008, the program has impacted over 8,000 young Indians, transforming aspirations into actionable ventures.
This visit marked the seventh interaction between Jagriti Yatra and Sri City, further strengthening their shared vision of empowering youth and driving economic growth.