Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has emphasized that the growth of the Chartered Accountants (CA) community will significantly contribute to India’s business development. Speaking at the inauguration of the sub-regional conference ‘Saksham-2025’ of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) held at IIM Sambalpur on Saturday, he advised the CA community to engage with agricultural producer organizations (FPOs), street vendors, and entrepreneurs like ‘Lakhpati Didis’. Supporting these grassroots enterprises will strengthen their financial base and lead to broader business growth.
Pradhan highlighted that the role of CAs is vital in solidifying the country’s economy. Their contribution has helped India become the world’s fifth-largest economy, and with continued effort, India is poised to rise to the third position. He acknowledged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the first to truly honor wealth creators, with CAs playing a catalytic role in this recognition.
He further mentioned the goal to develop 100 unicorns in Odisha by 2036, each valued at ₹100 crore. To achieve this, a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem is essential. Innovation, technology, and scalability must be priorities.
India’s 2.5 lakh+ startups are currently valued at ₹40 lakh crore, generating employment for over 7 lakh people. Odisha, especially Western Odisha and Sambalpur, has immense potential in textiles, garments, agri-products, and digital projects. The CA community must help identify these opportunities to benefit youth and investors.
Pradhan also advised developing IIM Sambalpur into a green campus within five years, starting with environmental protection and tree plantation initiatives.
