‘Kanpur has all elements to reclaim supremacy, thrive as economic hub’

KANPUR: The industrial city of Kanpur has the potential to reclaim its economic supremacy and needs a leap of transformation to make significant contributions to UP's growth story, according to experts from different fields who participated in the Kanpur edition of TOI Dialogues on Monday.
Delivering the keynote address, advisor to the Chief Minister, Awanish Awasthi, said: "Kanpur has all the elements to reclaim its economic supremacy and importance in the development of India.A lot of things are already being done by the state govt but a lot more needs to be envisioned and undertaken."
Citing the example of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Awasthi added that a total commitment to the cause was required.
A series of panel discussions was held during the event in which experts deliberated on the steps needed to transform Kanpur into a thriving economic hub.
Chief executive officer, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDE), Mayur Maheshwari said that new businesses and sectors need to be developed for Kanpur to achieve the transformational leap or else growth would come in instalments.
Professor of business environment at the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow, Dr Sanjay Kumar Singh, said the legacy businesses of Kanpur should be promoted through a focused plan.
Director of Goldiee Group Sudeep Goenka, and director of Singer India Limited and JK Urbanspaces Maneesh Mansingka acknowledged the need for skill development programmes and an incubation centre to check brain drain.
Chairman of MKU Ltd and CII Uttar Pradesh Infrastructure Committee, Manoj Gupta, delved into the power of Kanpur's locational advantage in its growth.
The second panel covered the intersection of Kanpur's cultural and cinematic legacies, with actors Anupriya Goenka, Amit Sial, and Zakir Hussain sharing their thoughts on Kanpur's contribution to cinematic talent. They also highlighted the city's role in nurturing actors, filmmakers, and creative professionals.
A rich palette of TOI Dialogues fireside chats – which are a characteristic attraction of the conclave – were also a part of the evening. Padma Shri awardee and folk singer Malini Awasthi spoke about the richness of UP's folk culture and the need to make individual and familial efforts for its preservation.
Indian shooter and double Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker said that she could achieve laurels because her parents enabled her to chase her dream. "One must stay focused and not get distracted by the pressure of expectations," she said, and invited aspiring shooters to get in touch with her if they wanted to clear doubts.
Self-made entrepreneur Srikanth Bolla (chairman of Bollant Industries) spoke on the importance of self-motivation when chasing personal or professional goals. Actor Divyenndu spoke on the rise of small cities on OTT platforms and its comparison with the big screen.
Prominent personalities from Kanpur attended the event.