The inaugural ETNOW.in Business Conclave & Awards 2025, hosted by Times Network Digital, brought together distinguished leaders to discuss India’s economic trajectory and key sectors shaping the country’s progress toward Viksit Bharat.

Aligned with ET NOW’s ‘Rise with India’ initiative, the conclave served as a pivotal platform to strategize on India’s transformation into a $5 trillion economy by 2030, the news network said in a press release.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union MoS (Ind. Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, and MoS PMO, emphasized India’s rapid growth in the space sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He revealed that opening the space economy to private players has already attracted over Rs.1,000 crore in investments, with the industry poised to grow fivefold to $44 billion in the next decade.

“India has made a quantum leap in space technology. Missions like Gaganyaan and advancements in border security demonstrate our self-reliance, making India a global leader in space innovation. The world now looks to us for pioneering solutions in the sector,” Dr. Singh remarked.

Former Union Minister and tech investor Rajeev Chandrasekhar addressed the urgent need for updated regulations to support India’s digital and AI revolution.

“The IT Act is 25 years old—it doesn’t even mention the Internet, AI, or digital economy, which are now shaping the world. A modern legal framework is essential to protect innovation while addressing critical concerns like safety, misinformation, and cyber threats,” he stated.

Chandrasekhar stressed that new laws should be clear, entrepreneur-first, and free from excessive regulation. “Adding bureaucratic layers will only hinder innovation. The focus should be on clear guardrails while allowing courts and oversight mechanisms to manage compliance,” he added.

Lieutenant General K. T. Parnaik (Retd.), Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, underscored how border security, infrastructure development, and innovation are key drivers of India’s economic growth.

“In Northern Command, we faced constant challenges from Pakistan and China, using strategic quid pro quo actions to counter intrusions. In Kashmir, we effectively tackled radicalization through perception management, shifting public sentiment,” he noted.

Focusing on Arunachal Pradesh, Parnaik emphasized the state’s untapped potential:
58,000 MW hydroelectric capacity
Rich biodiversity and cultural heritage
Infrastructure expansion and land reforms
Ongoing security efforts against Chinese aggression and Myanmar insurgents

The conclave concluded with the ETNOW.in Business Conclave & Awards 2025, recognizing outstanding contributions across 82 categories. Some of the key awardees included:
ETNOW Industry Icons – Naveen Kukreja (Co-Founder & CEO, Paisabazaar.com), Ashish Kashyap (Founder, IND Money)
Leading Township of the Year – Central Park Flower Valley
Excellence in Fintech – ACT21 Software Pvt. Ltd. for HyPerform
Excellence in University Education – Falguni Acharya, Parul University
Service Excellence in Vaccines & Prevention – VAXIFLU-4 (Zydus)
Excellence in Marketing Campaign (2024-2025) – U.S. Polo
Emerging Fashion Brand – Exhale Label

The conclave underscored national security, technological innovation, economic reforms, and self-reliance as key pillars in India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat. With leaders from diverse sectors weighing in, the discussions are set to influence policy decisions and industry growth in the years ahead.

The event was powered by Spacewood Office Solutions, with DeliverIt as the Silver Partner and LIC HFL as the Home Loan Partner.