India’s very own ‘Silicon Valley’, Bengaluru has been rated the most dynamic city in the world, beating London, New York and the Silicon Valley in the USA itself in the City Momentum Index report released by real estate firm Jones Lang LaSalle at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Industry leaders and startup experts believe that this status has been awarded to Bengaluru with good reason, report Supriya Kumaraswamy and Rohan Ramesh
The U.S. recognises india’s importance: George Kurian, The CEO, NetApp
It’s a source of great pride for Bengaluru that it continues to progress so dramatically. I think it’s a unique opportunity for NetApp to be in the city to inaugurate the global centre of excellence to bring the best of the world to it.
We feel blessed that Bengaluru has enormous levels of talented employees, educational institutions, computing centres, and public private partnerships that have done the groundwork to take it where it has reached today. We have many multinational companies that have big development centres in Bengaluru that allow us to collaborate locally to build solutions for the world.
The government is building technology parks and faster highways to make Bengaluru an integrated city, which gives it the flexibility to bring talent from anywhere to it. But it also needs to make Bengaluru a good place to live in by improving its roads, telecommunication, and infrastructure. We also need affordable places for our employees to live in.
I think that both the last and current administration in the US recognise the strategic importance of India. I expect that will be good for both countries. US president, Donald Trump recognizes that the technology industry has been a source of employment, leadership and a source of pride for us. We believe that he will have a set of policies that will support and encourage this growth and participation.
We need to nurture what we have: Madan Padaki, CEO , RubanBridge
I think dynamic is the best word to describe Bengaluru. The startup scenario in the city is very vibrant and there’s a lot of energy in that field. It is becoming the hub not only for IT but also for startups belonging to different verticals.
Today if anyone wants to start a business, he or she thinks about Bengaluru first as it has the best talent pool and attracts talent from outside the city as well. However, it’s time that all the stakeholders in the city came together because we are the ones who are making it dynamic. We need to nurture what we already have.
Incubating startups should be govt’s focus: Ashok Soota, Exec. Chairman of Happiest Minds and co-author, ‘Entrepreneurship Simplified’
Bengaluru has always had an entrepreneurial culture. IT is booming in the city and the fact is not surprising. IT capability in the city is driving the growth of multiple industries like edutech, fintech and new healthcare enterprises.
In addition to software, there is revival of manufacturing due to Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), Robotics and Nanotechnology. Companies are focusing mainly on cyber security today. Drones are finding applications in multiple industries including agriculture. The most heartening aspect of this is that we are seeing design led manufacture.
Fueling the growth are investments from the US, Japan ,Singapore, West Asia and even China. People are talking about a slowdown. In reality there is no slowdown. It is just that all industries undergo valuation and undervaluation that has affected companies like those in the e-commerce sector for example.In the short run demonetization was a badly planned and conceived move. But this situation should subside in about six months from now.
Everyone knows that Bengaluru’s traffic and pollution are at an extreme level and so I think the state government should focus on its environment as it makes a big difference in the World Economic Forum index. To ensure Bengaluru continues to score well in the index, the government must primarily focus on enabling and incubating start-ups. The city has everything working for it, including momentum, which is a good thing.
Let’s use tech to solve problems: Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, The CMD, Biocon
Look at the kind of energy that we have in Bengaluru. We are rapidly transforming and adapting to various changes. It is undoubtedly a very dynamic city, which is also inching towards having a vibrant society. It’s a good recognition that we have got and now we must build on the brand that we have earned.
But the government should not have the attitude , “Despite all the complaints, we’ve become the most dynamic city!” It’s a great thing that we have earned this label. It, however, is a double- edged sword and the problems should not be overlooked by the administration. It should realise that we have become the most dynamic city not because of the government but because of the people. It needs to take advantage of this label and build on it.
Also, we need to make Bengaluru a safe city to live in while using technology as a powerful tool to solve its traffic, garbage and overall infrastructure troubles. We must review our parks and lakes as well. The reason why we are the most dynamic is because of the way we have used technology and we should soon become a technology-led society.
‘Being recognised by the WEF proves Bengaluru is truly global’
With Bengaluru gaining recognition on a global scale, DC talks to IT, BT and Science and Technology Minister Priyank Kharge about what this means for the city.
Q: Bengaluru has been rated the most dynamic city in the world. As Minister for IT, BT and Science and Technology how do you feel?
A: It is a great be recognised by the World Economic Forum. This proves that Bengaluru is the most business- friendly city in the country and is living up to its status of a global city. This is an endorsement of this fact.
Q: Do you feel this is an endorsement of the state government’s good work?
A: If you look at the report it takes various factors into consideration. We have not been given the distinction because we are just an IT capital or start-up capital. It is a combination of various factors like livability, sustainability, energy, network, mass transportation and infrastructure among other things and I think it vindicates the state government’s work for being future- friendly.
Q: How do you think Bengaluru managed to arrive at this position?
A: Dynamism and innovation have always been in the DNA of Bengaluru. We have morphed from being Kempegowda’s Bengaluru which was set up for commercial activity, into Lake city, Garden city, Science city, Knowledge capital, IT capital and Start-up capital. I think it is Bengaluru’s adaptable nature that has put us in this enviable position.
Q: Do you think demonetisation has affected or may affect brand Bengaluru?
A: It is not just about affecting brand Bengaluru. I do not know whether it will affect brand Bengaluru in the future but it has already affected everyone.
Q: How do you feel about India overtaking China and grabbing more places in the index?
A: We may not have the same pace of growth as China due to various factors such as the political environment, but we have a more solid policy and our country encourages a consultative environment for inclusive growth. Our pace of progress may not be as fast but we have a strong and solid base to build on.
