India Inc. loves to start up

Nitin Bahl, country manager, Natuzzi Group in India and Naveen Thangiah, CEO, Pengala, discuss our education system and the entrepreneurship spirit that is sweeping across the country

Nitin Bahl: Bangalore has a strong market for luxury products and we worked towards bringing to the city a luxury furniture brand. We believe in re-defining luxury and it was great to see that our brand and concept was accepted very well here. Tell me about your line of work and Pengala?

Naveen Thangiah: Pengala aims to change the way India learns. We get the best teachers in India and help them interact with students. Now, students nurture high aspirations, but unfortunately the education provided to them is not balanced. Our task is to work towards a better education system. Since you’ve studied abroad, what is your opinion on the Indian education system?

NB: In India, the learning process is theoretical, while abroad it’s based on practical applications.  When you are on the job, there needs to be a mix of both. When practically applying a concept, one needs to understand the basis of the thought.

NT: In the last couple of years, India has seen a burst in terms of entrepreneurship, especially in the city. What’s your thought on that?

NB: There are a lot of people, willing to start their own firms. In the West, I find people a little apprehensive about starting their own firm. In India, the case is very different. There are several firms — small to big, which is coming up in a big way. It’s such a great thing and India as a country is growing steadily.

NT: Yes, the country is experiencing a natural growth process, as compared to China, which has witnessed a drastic change. I am hoping that India too prospers at a steady pace.