Top News

President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, attended the MSME Day 2025 celebration in New Delhi today, where she delivered an inspiring address emphasizing the crucial role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in shaping India’s economic, social, and environmental progress.

In her keynote speech, President Murmu called MSMEs the “strong pillar” of the Indian economy, emphasizing their multifaceted contributions—from bolstering GDP and creating grassroots innovations to generating employment and promoting inclusive growth across rural and underserved regions. “A robust MSME ecosystem is not only important but essential for the country’s sustainable economic development,” she remarked.

MSMEs as Engines of Inclusive Development

The President underscored how MSMEs serve as engines of inclusive development. By providing employment in rural and backward areas, these enterprises play a transformative role in empowering the weaker sections of society and decentralizing economic growth. “These enterprises generate employment opportunities at relatively low capital costs, and more importantly, they drive progress in regions where it’s needed the most,” she stated.

Challenges Facing the Sector

Recognizing the vital role of MSMEs, President Murmu candidly addressed the major challenges holding the sector back. She highlighted issues like delayed financing, tough competition from large corporations, outdated technology access, shortages of raw materials and skilled workers, and frequent payment delays as key obstacles to the sector’s full growth potential.

Government’s Interventions and Policy Measures

President Murmu emphasized various policy steps taken by the Government of India to strengthen the MSME sector. She appreciated reforms such as the updated MSME classification system, increased access to credit, and the rule requiring central ministries and PSUs to source at least 35% of their annual procurements from micro and small enterprises.

Other noteworthy efforts included skill development initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Yojanaand the launch of an Online Dispute Resolution Portal aimed at ensuring faster settlement of delayed payments—a long-standing pain point for MSMEs.

The President expressed satisfaction at the rapid increase in the number of registered MSMEs, attributing this positive trend to the government’s focused and sustained efforts.

Call for Innovation and Sustainability

Focusing on long-term resilience, the President emphasized the importance of innovation in the MSME sector. She called on small businesses to lead the way in grassroots innovation by devising affordable, locally adapted solutions. “Sustainability will depend on the ability to innovate using local resources to solve local problems,” she said.

Furthermore, she urged MSMEs to adopt green technologies to reduce their energy consumption and carbon emissions. With MSMEs accounting for a sizable portion of national energy usage, she stated that the shift to sustainable practices is critical. “Promoting green technology is the need of the hour. It will boost MSME competitiveness and help India achieve its climate commitments,” she noted.

Women Entrepreneurs: A Key to Holistic Development

President Murmu also highlighted the rising participation of women in the MSME sector as a powerful sign of progress. She encouraged young women to take the entrepreneurial plunge, noting that their increasing involvement is essential for the holistic development of the nation. “I urge our young women to build enterprises and become symbols of self-reliance,” she said.

A Vision for the Future

In her concluding remarks, President Murmu reiterated that the growth and sustainability of the MSME sector will determine the trajectory of India’s economic and social development in the coming years. She urged continued collaboration between government bodies, industry players, and the public to ensure a vibrant, inclusive, and green MSME ecosystem.

The MSME Day 2025 celebrations served as a fitting tribute to the sector’s resilience, potential, and growing importance in India’s vision of Atmanirbhar bharat (Self-reliant India). President Murmu’s address was both a recognition of past achievements and a clarion call for future innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability.