Participants at the SRM and The Hindu’s Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025, held at Taj Coromandel, Nungambakkam, in Chennai on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Even as Tamil Nadu is heading towards a vibrant and tech-led startup ecosystem, there is a need for a policy framework that fosters inclusivity in startups, noted panelists in one of the sessions hosted at The Hindu Tamil Nadu Startup Summit 2025, in Chennai on Thursday (April 24, 2025).

The summit is organised by The Hindu, along with SRM Institute of Science and Technology, and co-presented by StartupTN in association with Sify Technologies.

During a session on ‘Building a diverse startup ecosystem: inclusion and gender equality’, panellists discussed the power of inclusive technology, role of academic institutions in fostering the same, and how inclusion must be unbiased.

Speaking about the challenges faced by persons with physical disabilities and the role of innovations through assistive technology in empowering them, Prateek Madhav, co-founder and CEO, AssisTech Foundation, said the country is now growing into one of the best assistive technology hubs in the world. The number has grown from a mere 10 or 15 to a vibrant ecosystem of 500 startups, which have changed lives and enabled persons with physical disabilities to gain better accessibility, independence, and social inclusion. Several of them were from Tamil Nadu, Mr. Madhav said.

Highlighting technological innovation as the reason behind societal transformation and the growth of the startup ecosystem, he said it is essential to include assistive technology in the policy framework.

Noting that persons with disabilities cannot be left behind in the attempt to build an inclusive ecosystem, he said they contribute 5% to 7% to the country’s GDP. Investment, technological innovations, and research in inclusive startups would help in improving the economic impact of including persons with physical disabilities.

Subalalitha C.N., professor, Department of Computing Technologies, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, spoke about the role of academia in nurturing startup and entrepreneurial mindset among students and encouraging faculty startups.

Besides hackathons and project based courses, students are encouraged to commercialise their ideas through industry collaborations. Moreover, faculty startups help them align with their research domains and gain exposure to market requirements. This is reflected in the quality of their teaching.

Jyotirmayee Dash, managing director, TeraLumen Solutions Private Limited, elaborated on her journey of building a startup and the terahertz technology.

Underlining the need for diversification in startups, including research-based products and manufacturing, she said consistency and dedication are important to build a company based on deep tech. Collaborations, including those with business experts and various stakeholders, would help balance research and business ventures, she said.

The session was moderated by Ramya Kannan, Chief of Bureau, Tamil Nadu, The Hindu.

Bengaluru: Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru is delighted to announce Bakul Pednekar’s appointment as Director of People & Culture. A seasoned Four Seasons professional and culture bearer, Bakul brings over 17 years of rich, cross-continental experience shaped by the brand’s deep-rooted values of empathy, excellence, and service from the heart.

Bakul’s Four Seasons journey began in 2007 in stewarding operations at the Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai. This humble beginning blossomed into a remarkable career through his innate leadership, emotional intelligence, and people-first approach. He has since held key Human Resource roles across some of the brand’s most iconic properties, including Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Kuda Huraa, and most recently, Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, where he served as Director of People & Culture for nearly three years.

“Bakul is a shining example of our belief in nurturing talent from within,” says Biswajit Chakraborty, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru. “His journey reflects the essence of Four Seasons, growing leaders who live our values daily. With his global perspective and deep understanding of our culture, I am confident he will enrich our team and take our People & Culture practices to even greater heights.”

Known for fostering inclusive and purpose-driven workplaces, Bakul has led diverse teams, spearheaded impactful learning programs, and championed employee well-being, earning admiration from colleagues and accolades from the industry. His leadership is grounded in a profound respect for people and a passion for creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, seen, and empowered.

Bakul will lead the People & Culture function at Four Seasons Hotel Bengaluru, shaping employee experiences that inspire excellence and reflect the brand’s legendary service philosophy. His return to India marks a full-circle moment — combining global expertise with local intuition to nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders. At Four Seasons, service begins with genuine care for people, and Bakul’s story is a living example of that philosophy in action.

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