Operation Sindoor Proved Indigenous Innovation Is India’s Strongest Shield: Ashok Atluri, CMD, Zen Technologies

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), flagged off its landmark initiative, MSME Xcelerate 2025, at Hotel Vivanta by Taj, Begumpet, today. This high-impact platform is designed to empower MSMEs by connecting them with emerging technologies, sustainable practices, and smart financial strategies.

Themed “Innovation, Technology, Sustainability,” the conference was inaugurated by Mr Ashok Atluri, Co-Chair, FICCI National Defence & Homeland Security Committee and CMD, Zen Technologies Ltd., and Mr. V. Suresh Babu, Zonal Head & GM, NSIC. Mr. P. Radhakishore, Chairman, FICCI Telangana Defence & Aerospace Committee; Mr. V.V. Rama Raju, Chairman, FICCI Telangana State Council and Ms Deepti Gaddam, Member, FICCI Telangana Executive Committee & MD, Ozone Hospitals; among other distinguished guests graced the occasion.

Aligned with India’s ambition to become a $5 trillion economy, MSME Xcelerate 2025, offered a gateway for small and mid-sized enterprises to explore breakthrough innovations, access digital tools, understand ESG norms and navigate funding avenues including IPOs. The conference focused on providing actionable insights to transform MSMEs from resilient players to growth leaders.

Mr Ashok Atluri said, Operation Sindoor proved that indigenous innovation is India’s strongest shield. Our homegrown drones, equipped with inbuilt detectors, jammers, and radars, successfully neutralized Chinese drone threats, without a single imported component. R&D is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. Especially for MSMEs, while day-to-day operations may feel all-consuming, ignoring R&D risks irrelevance. Identifying the right area and committing focus can lead to transformative breakthroughs. To thrive globally, India must innovate for the world, not just for local markets. Developing cutting-edge technology is the surest path to long-term success. R&D can propel India to Global Leadership and funding is no longer a barrier in India.

Mr. V. Suresh Babu said, the National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), an ISO-certified enterprise under the Ministry of MSME, has been a key enabler for MSMEs across India. NSIC plays a pivotal role in helping MSMEs market their products to government departments and public sector units. As an NSIC-registered member, MSMEs enjoy several benefits, including exemption from tender fees and security deposits, making it easier to participate in government tenders. Under the Public Procurement Policy, it’s mandatory for PSUs to source at least 25% of their requirements from MSMEs. It’s a golden opportunity MSMEs must leverage. NSIC also supports MSMEs in showcasing their offerings through exhibitions, with up to 80% subsidy provided for domestic participation. From marketing support to financial assistance, NSIC stands as a committed partner in the MSME growth journey.

Mr. P. Radhakishore said, the Government of India has taken commendable steps to support MSMEs through regulatory reforms, compliance ease, and sustainability-focused schemes. However, support at the state level remains limited, even though MSMEs are vital contributors to GDP and employment. Innovation is the lifeline of MSMEs and essential for their survival and growth. In fact, many breakthrough innovations originate from small enterprises. Larger corporations often rely on these innovations to achieve their own goals. For India to truly unlock its economic potential, state governments must step up and collaborate more actively. Technology and innovation—driven by MSMEs—are the twin engines of national development.

Mr. V.V. Rama Raju said, MSMEs are the lifeblood of the Indian economy, contributing nearly 30% to the GDP. Yet, in today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, they face numerous challenges. Let’s leverage this platform hosted by FICCI to collaborate, co-create, and capitalise meaningful change, enabling MSMEs not just to survive, but to thrive and compete on a global scale.

Ms Deepti Gaddam said, the future of Indian MSMEs is not just promising, it’s powerful. Contributing over 30% to the nation’s GDP and employing more than 100 million people, MSMEs are the backbone of our economy. In Telangana, they embody grassroots entrepreneurship, ranging from rural artisans to tech-enabled agri-startups, MedTech innovators, and trailblazers in the service sector. Today, they stand at the crossroads of the digital revolution and the green transition. It’s time for MSMEs to evolve beyond being economic enablers, to emerge as innovation leaders and champions of sustainability, driving India’s next wave of inclusive growth.

Some of the highlights of the conference are, Panel Discussion on ESG Norms: A New Business Imperative for MSMEs with the theme of Navigating Risks, Unlocking Opportunities and Making ESG Work for Small Businesses. The second Panel Discussion was on Revolutionising MSMEs with AI & Emerging Technologies, the theme of which revolved around, Buzz to Business Value, Building Operational Excellence through Affordable, Scalable Tech Solutions. An interactive session on Accessing Finance – Loans, Grants, Credit Scores, with the theme of Innovative Financial Tools, Digital Lending, and Sector-Specific Solutions for MSMEs, evoked immense interest from the audience. A Workshop was hosted on Navigating the Cloud – Setup to Scale, with the theme, Deploying Cloud Solutions to Unlock MSME Growth. A Session on Road to IPO, enlightened the MSME’s on the first step towards listing.

The conference brought together an eclectic mix of entrepreneurs, policymakers, tech leaders, financial institutions, start-ups, and academia, creating a powerful platform for dialogue, discovery, and development.