New Delhi, June 4 () Religious places inside containment zones shall remain closed for public and those outside will be allowed to open, according to the SOPs issued by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday to contain the COVID-19 spread at such venues. Places of worship get frequented by a large number of people for spiritual solace and to prevent COVID-19 spread, it is important that required social distancing and other preventive measures are followed in those premises, the ministry said. In view of the potential threat of the spread of the infection, as far as feasible recorded devotional music or songs may be played and choir or singing groups should not be allowed, the Standard Operating Procedures stated. Common prayer mats should be avoided and devotees should bring their own mat or piece of cloth which they may take back with them. "No physical offerings like prasad/distribution or sprinkling of holy water, etc should be allowed inside the religious place," the ministry said, underlining that community kitchens, langars, 'Ann-Daan' etc at religious places should follow physical distancing norms while preparing and distributing food. The ministry advised persons aged above 65, having comorbidities, pregnant woman and children below the age of 10 years to stay at home and avoid visiting religious places. According to the SOPs, all religious places should ensure hand hygiene (sanitizer dispenser) and make thermal screening provisions at the entrance mandatorily. They should allow only asymptomatic persons in the premises and allowing those using face cover or masks. Audio and video clips to spread awareness on preventive measures for COVID-19 should be regularly played while posters on preventive measures should to be displayed prominently, it said. "Staggering of visitors to be done, if possible. Foot wears to be preferably taken-off inside own vehicle. If needed they should be kept in separate slots for each individual/ family by the persons themselves. Any shops, stalls, cafeteria etc, outside and within the premises shall follow social distancing norms at all times," the SOPs stated. The SOPs underlined maintaining physical distancing of a minimum of six feet at all times when queuing up for entry and washing hand and feet with soap and water before entering the premises. "For air-conditioning/ventilation, the guidelines of CPWD shall be followed which inter alia emphasises that the temperature setting of all air conditioning devices should be in the range of 24-30 C, relative humidity should be in the range of 40- 70 per cent, intake of fresh air should be as much as possible and cross ventilation should be adequate," it said. Touching of statues, idols and holy books should not be allowed and large gatherings remain prohibited. According to the SOPs, spitting should be strictly prohibited and installation and use of Aarogya Setu App should be advised to all. The management of the religious places must ensure frequent cleaning and disinfection of the floors and other surfaces. In case of a suspect or confirmed case in the premises, the ill person should be placed in a room or area and isolated from others and the nearest medical facility (hospital/clinic) should be informed, it said. A risk assessment will be undertaken by the designated public health authority (district RRT/treating physician) and accordingly further action would be initiated regarding management of case, his/her contacts and need for disinfection, the SOP pointed out. The premises should be disinfected if the person is found positive, it added. PLB TDS TDS

Religious places in containment zones to stay closed, those outside can open: Health Min

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6379089" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="communications">Communications</keyword> stocks represent companies in a sector that includes the phone, <keyword id="6357247" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Internet">internet</keyword>, and <keyword id="6354777" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Media">media</keyword> industries.</li><li>Communications stocks belong to both stable dividend-paying firms and volatile up-and-comers.</li><li>Investors can minimize risk by buying communications-focused ETFs and index funds.</li></ul>In 2020, communications became more important than ever. Entering an era of remote work and play, people turned to communications technology of all kinds. Internet and cell phone service, video conferencing, video games, and streaming services were the lifeline that allowed us to muddle through - even thrive - in a challenging year.But even before the coronavirus, communications was a key area to invest in, populated by some of the biggest names in the corporate world, and dealing with services used by millions every day. The communication services sector represents about 10% of the S&amp;P 500. It's so important for keeping everyday life running that the U.S. government classifies it as "critical infrastructure."Here's what you should know about how to invest in communications stocks, what the risks are, and what rewards you might anticipate.<h2>What is the communications sector?</h2>Communications stocks are shares of companies that facilitate interaction in some way. These companies might operate land-based or cellular phone lines, broadband internet, wireless internet, and satellite communications.Companies in the media, entertainment, interactive gaming, information creation, and information distribution businesses also belong to the communications sector.If this sounds like a highly diverse group - well, it is. And it only recently became so.It happened due to the widely used <a href="https://www.msci.com/documents/1296102/11185224/GICS+Methodology+2020.pdf/9caadd09-790d-3d60-455b-2a1ed5d1e48c?t=1578405935658">Global Industry Classification Standard (GICS)</a>. The GICS, jointly created by Standard &amp; Poor's Dow Jones and Morgan Stanley Capital International, provides a way for investors to categorize and analyze stocks. In September 2018, GICS changed its index methodology and reorganized the communications sector.Basically, it expanded the existing <keyword id="67974" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="telecommunications">telecommunications</keyword> sector to become a broader communications services sector. Stalwart telephone and traditional media stocks were suddenly in the same category as upstart, growth-oriented internet and info-tech companies. Still, a common thread among these companies is their reliance on subscription fees and advertising revenue.<h2>Why invest in communications stocks?</h2>It's difficult to characterize communications stocks. Since the category change, the sector has become one that offers something for every investor. Overall, communications is now better described as a growth sector - one likely to offer greater potential for appreciation than the market overall. It's also now more cyclical, or dependent on economic trends - likely to function better in boom times and during bull <keyword id="31671" type="CITY" weightage="100" keywordseo="markets">markets</keyword>. Still, depending on which specific stock you're talking about, your reason for investing in a communications company might have more to do with earning a reliable dividend than attempting to capitalize on trendy growth. Many of the individual telecom blue-chip companies might well retain their defensive-stock nature - their ability to perform well in both prosperous and recessionary times. <h2>Types of communications stocks</h2>To help make sense of the broad new communication services sector, let's break it down into subsectors. We've highlighted some key players in each, though many could be categorized under more than one sub sector because of their diversified suite of services.<div type="image" title="industries in the communications sector" height="1539" width="2500" msid="80414303" hostid="261"></div><h3>Diversified telecommunication services</h3>This category consists of broadband, fiber-optic cable, and internet service providers.Key players: Lumen Technologies (LUMN), AT&amp;T (T), Verizon Communications (VZ), Globalstar (GSAT), Bandwidth (BAND), Consolidated Communications Holdings (CNSL), Anterix (ANTX)<h3>Wireless telecommunication services</h3>This category is made up of cellular or wireless communications service providers.Key players: T-Mobile U.S. (TMUS), Telephone and Data Systems (TDS), Boingo Wireless (WIFI), Gogo (GOGO)<h3>Media</h3>Media companies earn revenue from advertising, broadcasting, cable &amp; satellite service, and print or electronic publishing.Key players: Charter Communications (CHTR), Comcast (CMCSA), Dish Network (DISH), Fox (FOX), Nexstar Media Group (NXST), ViacomCBS (VIAC), Discovery Communications (DISCA), Fluent (FLNT)<h3>Entertainment</h3>Companies in this sector work on movie and television production, distribution, and screening; music production and distribution; entertainment theaters; sports; streaming entertainment content; mobile gaming applications; and at-home educational software.Key players: World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Live Nation Entertainment (LYV), Electronic Arts (EA), Activision Blizzard (ATVI), AMC Entertainment Holdings (AMC),Netflix (NFLX), Walt Disney Company (DIS)<h3>Interactive media &amp; services</h3>These companies profit from pay-per-click advertising, search engines, social media, social networking platforms, online reviews, and online classifieds.Key Players: Interactive Corp (IAC), Alphabet (GOOG), Facebook (FB), Twitter (TWTR), Yelp (YELP), Pinterest (PINS), Yandex (YNDX), Angie's List (ANGI)Fast fact: Communications equipment makers are classified as part of the information technology (IT) sector. While some communications companies do provide equipment, they aren't considered part of the IT sector because the GICS looks at the activities that produce more than 60% of a company's revenue when deciding how to classify it. Surprisingly, Zoom Video Communications (ZM) is classified as an IT stock.<h2>The advantages of communications stocks</h2>There are a variety of reasons for investors consider communications companies.<ul><li>Performance. Over the last 12 months (Jan. 6, 2020, through Jan. 4, 2021), the S&amp;P Communication Services Select Sector index, which includes all the stocks in the communications sector, returned 23.22%. By comparison, the S&amp;P 500 index returned 14.4%. </li></ul>The index only goes back to September 2018 due to the communications category shift, so it's harder to describe this sector's long-term performance. However, when S&amp;P created its new index, it backtested it to December 21, 2007. It found that the sector returned 9.9% annualized over the next 10-ish years, through May 16, 2018. Over that same period, the S&amp;P 500's annualized return was <a href="http://www.moneychimp.com/features/market_cagr.htm">7.25</a>%.<ul><li>Income. The growth companies in this sector help drive its returns. But the value companies provide investors with investment income. Verizon and AT&amp;T, for example, both pay rich dividends, and have a long history of doing so. </li><li>Diversification. Many companies in this sector earn revenue from diversified services. Comcast is a great example; it makes money from broadcast television, cable television, broadband service, satellite service, movies, and theme parks.</li></ul><h2>The downsides of communications stocks</h2>Of course, no type of stock is without drawbacks. Those that are characteristic of communications include:<ul><li>Regulatory risk. This industry is subject to government regulation, which can affect performance. For example, changing privacy laws poses a threat to communications companies that rely on using consumer data to tailor advertising and recommendations.</li><li>Operational risk. While many communications stocks thrived during the pandemic, others took a beating - especially those in the entertainment, recreational, and travel field. Disney's theme parks, which account for about 30% of the company's revenue <a href="https://www.morningstar.com/articles/978014/pandemic-hits-communication-stocks-in-different-ways">according to Morningstar,</a> have been closed or operating at limited capacity since the first quarter of 2020. Live Nation Entertainment, parent of Ticketmaster, took a big hit as governments banned large gatherings, including concerts, festivals, and live sports. </li><li>Lack of differentiation/competitiveness. Some communications companies struggle to stand out because their services strike their customers as commodities. Among streaming services, lack of customer loyalty and the ease of switching providers resulted in a 41% churn rate for 1Q 2020, <a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/us-tmt-2021-outlook-for-the-us-tme-industry.pdf">according to consulting firm Deloitte</a>. Vulnerability to technological change can also be an ongoing challenge.</li></ul><h2>How to invest in communications stocks</h2>You can buy individual shares or fractional shares of communications stocks through the usual brokerage channels - either online or apps, such as E*TRADE, Robinhood, SoFi Invest - or the traditional full-service firms, like Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, Fidelity, and Vanguard. Of course, investing in an individual communications stock is riskier than investing in a communications industry ETF (sector risk) or index fund.These are some of the biggest. Some of them also offer exposure to other sectors, such as utilities or information technology. So be sure to read the fund breakdown and strategy, to make sure you're getting the pure play you want.<ul><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/communication-services-select-sector-spdr-fund-us81369y8527" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Communications Select Sector SPDR ETF (XLC)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/vanguard-communication-services-index-fund-etf-shares-us92204a8844" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanguard Communication Services ETF (VOX)</a></li><li><a href="https://investor.vanguard.com/mutual-funds/profile/VTCAX" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Vanguard Communication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares (VTCAX)</a> </li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/fidelity-msci-communication-services-index-etf-us3160928731" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fidelity MSCI Communication Services Index ETF (FCOM) </a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/defiance-5g-next-gen-connectivity-etf-us26922a2895" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Defiance 5G Next Gen Connectivity ETF (FIVG)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/first-trust-nasdaq-technology-dividend-index-fund-us33738r1187" target="_blank" rel="noopener">First Trust NASDAQ Technology Dividend Index Fund (TDIV)</a></li><li><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/etfs/invesco-sp-smallcap-utilities-communication-services-etf-us46138g4091/nav" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Invesco S&amp;P SmallCap Utilities &amp; Communication Services ETF (PSCU)</a></li></ul><h2>The financial takeaway</h2>Communications stocks are shares in companies in the communication services industry - a huge sector that includes phone, internet, satellite, media, entertainment companies.They represent well-established, dividend-paying companies as well as more volatile up-and-comers.Since communications stocks can belong to both defensive and growth-oriented companies, individual investors can get the most bang for their buck, and minimize risk overall‚ by investing through communications-focused ETFs and index funds.The communications sector is an exciting place to be right now. The companies it includes provide the services that are fundamental to our everyday lives. And the COVID-19 lifestyle shifts might make us permanently more reliant on communications companies, even once the pandemic is behind us. <h2>Related Coverage in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-reference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Investing</a>:</h2><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-in-dividend-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">How to invest in dividend stocks, a low-risk source of investment income</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-in-penny-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-cyclical-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What are cyclical stocks? High-profit but volatile stocks whose prices rise and fall as economy grows and declines</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/growth-investing-definition-strategies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is growth investing? A strategy that focuses on high-growth companies in hopes for significant investment returns</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/passive-investing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Passive investing is a long-term wealth-building strategy all investors should know - here's how it works</a></h3><h3><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-are-defensive-stocks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What are defensive stocks? Stocks that provide stability to your portfolio regardless of whether the economy is up or down</a></h3>

How to invest in communications stocks, a sector that's huge, highly diversified, and growing - offering something for almost every type of investor

The year 2015 was an exciting year for startups. There has been phenomenal growth, and incredible excitement (and investments) into ideas. Ideas that could potentially solve some of the most serious problems India has – from transportation to healthcare, financial inclusion to advanced robotics and more. 
	 
	The last 6 months in particular have seen big focus on startups from the government as well with Prime Minister Modi’s Startup India Stand up India being the watershed moment. So clearly, aggressively pushing startups and making it easier for them to start and painless for them to scale is critical for a strong, thriving economy that wants to grow at 10%. I think at an industry level the following things need to be done to enable growth - 
	 
	Startup Industry 
	 
	Infrastructure: 
	 
	As a country we need to make much faster progress in connecting everyone and bringing them online. While programs like NOFN and Bharatnet have been around for a while, the actual deployment has been incredibly slow. We need to take concrete steps to pick up the pace here and at least meet the targets set within the programs themselves. 
	 
	Fund of Funds: 
	 
	While we’ve been hearing about a fund of funds for startups for a while, we would love to see the next steps that detail out disbursement and get startups access to this fund. 
	 
	Taxation: 
	 Greater clarity and sharper differentiation between goods and services would be very helpful to clear up the TDS requirements on app downloads and TDS for software sales. Implementation of the <keyword id="6354679" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="GST">GST</keyword> would go a long way in solving this for sure. A longer tax break time period for startups would be welcome as well as further simplification of tax and other regulatory requirements. 
	 
	Easier Exits 
	 
	Exits are a healthy sign for any startup ecosystem. Our 4 acquisitions in the last year have shown us that it can be quite onerous currently. Enabling faster, easier exits would be very welcome as well. Government has been pushing some bills on this in the parliament but we would love to see this materialize as would help the overall ecosystem – from founders to investors. 
	 
	And for the healthcare industry, this is what he has to say: 
	 
	Digitization 
	 
	With the focus on digital India, we hope the government provides provisions that drive digitization adoption by healthcare providers. Many of the countries that we operate in, the government provides incentives for adoption and meaningful usage. Digitization can bring considerable efficiency in the system which will help alleviate a lot of challenges consumers face today due to the limited access/supply of healthcare providers in the country. Having digital records itself can considerably improve the quality of diagnosis and care consumers receive. 
	 
	Medical Devices 
	 
	This is an extremely important aspect of healthcare, especially as they can be a great way to solve our access problems. Millions of people in rural areas of India have to travel hundreds of kilometers for something as simple as even a blood test. There is no reason why tablets with special attachments for example can’t replace need for a doctor in places like these and automate many such tests and connect the patient to the doctor if test parameters are out of prescribed limits. There can be multiple models – the government can purchase and provide to PHCs or even take steps where device makers can procure these devices at a more affordable price. I think for the cost that vast majority of Indian market can sustain, importing won’t be viable so the Make in India program could really help in this aspect and special focus on this area in the budget would be welcome. 
	 
	Public Healthcare: 
	 
	 We also hope that the government incentives the public healthcare system to work more closely with the innovation driven by startups in India to solve many of the problems they face – without necessitating increase in public health expenditure 
	 
	Prevention: 
	 
	Large amounts of healthcare cost in the system can be reduced by focusing on prevention. A big piece of this is sanitation. We hope the government can focus on this and find a way to implement this even faster as improper sanitation is costing our country over $50B a year. Nearly 600,000 deaths a year are caused due to diarrhea – a big part of this is due to improper sanitation. So the faster we can solve this, the faster we can help people live healthier. 
	 
	Insurance: 
	 
	Recently, the government has announced several insurance schemes targeted at rural India. We believe similar schemes targeted at senior citizens and women countrywide would go a long way in solving a lot of healthcare issues in the country as well. 
	 
	With these steps, startups can continue to thrive and solve some of the most fundamental problems that plague our country, add considerable growth to our economy and help further establish India’s innovation credentials. 
	 
	This article has been authored by <keyword id="1165145" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shashank-ND">Shashank ND</keyword>, CEO and founder of healthcare app <keyword id="1165142" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Practo">Practo</keyword>.

And Practo’s founder Shashank ND wants FM Jaitley to do a lot more for startups in Budget 2016!

I am hopeful that the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Union+Budget">Union Budget</a> will keep up the good work set in motion by the ‘<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Startup+India+Stand+up+India">Start Up India, Stand Up India</a>’ initiative. 2015 was an exciting year for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a>. There has been phenomenal growth, and incredible excitement (and investments) into ideas. Ideas that could potentially solve some of the most serious problems India has – from transportation to healthcare. From financial inclusion to advanced robotics and more. The last 6 months in particular have seen big focus on <keyword id="6362513" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Startups">startups</keyword> from the government as well with Prime Minister Modi’s <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Startup+India+Stand+up+India">Startup India Stand up India</a> being the watershed moment. So clearly, aggressively pushing <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a> and making it easier for them to start and painless for them to scale is critical for a strong, thriving economy that wants to grow at 10%. I think at an industry level the following things need to be done to enable growth. 
 
Firstly, we need to see more clarity on the next steps that detail out disbursement and get startups access to the fund of funds for start-ups. This would definitely encourage the promising <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=entrepreneur">entrepreneur</a> community in India. The need of the hour is to improve the<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=+Infrastructure"> Infrastructure</a> in the country and make much faster progress in connecting everyone and bringing them online. We need to take concrete steps to pick up the pace here and at least meet the targets set within the programs themselves. 
 
Another area that could help start-ups grow is greater clarity and sharper differentiation between goods and services, this would be very helpful to clear up the TDS requirements on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=app+downloads">app downloads</a> and TDS for software sales. The road map to GST in the upcoming budget will go a long way in both increasing the ease of doing business and reducing the cost of doing business. We expect the government to simplify tax regime for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a> to foster innovation and create conducive ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the country. While tax holiday certainly brings a sigh of relief, it may not be beneficial for many technology startups who do not make profits in initial years of their commencement. A longer tax break time period for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a> would be welcome as well as further simplification of tax and other regulatory requirements. Lastly, exits are a healthy sign for any startup ecosystem. Our 4 acquisitions in the last year have shown us that it can be quite onerous currently. Enabling faster, easier exits would be very welcome as well. 
 
From a healthcare perspective, up until now, the expenditure on healthcare has been limited and while India has the fastest growing population and an ambitious growth aspiration, it has always had a disproportionately small health budget. With the focus on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Digital+India">digital India</a>, I hope the government provides provisions that drive digitization adoption by healthcare providers. Digitization can bring considerable efficiency in the system which will help alleviate a lot of challenges consumers face today due to the limited access/supply of healthcare providers in the country. Having digital records itself can considerably improve the quality of diagnosis and care consumers receive. The Government could incentivize, assist and enable more hospitals, clinics and other enterprises to leverage <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=information+technology">information technology</a> (IT) to create patient-centric healthcare systems that can improve response times, reduce human error, save costs, and impact the overall quality of life. Another thing we should do is innovate and promote “<keyword id="6354869" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="make-in-India">Make in India</keyword>” initiatives in the medical devices sector as well as other sectors. There can be multiple models – the government can purchase and provide to PHCs or even take steps where device makers can procure these devices at a more affordable price. I think for the cost that vast majority of Indian market can sustain, importing won’t be viable so the Make in India program could really help in this aspect and special focus on this area in the budget would be welcome. I am also optimistic that the government incentivises the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=public+healthcare">public healthcare</a> system to work more closely with the innovation driven by <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a> in India to solve many of the problems they face – without necessitating increase in public health expenditure. 
 
 With these steps, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=startups">startups</a> can continue to thrive and solve some of the most fundamental problems that plague our country, add considerable growth to our economy and help further establish India’s innovation credentials. In short, I expect and hope that this budget would place a new milestone towards acknowledging and supporting the role of entrepreneurs in shaping <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Digital+India">Digital India</a>.” 
 
(The author of the article is <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Shashank+ND">Shashank ND</a>, Founder and CEO, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Practo">Practo</a>)

Here's what Practo's CEO wants from Budget 2016

Here’s how the advertising and marketing industry reacted to Union Budget 2021

Sumit Chhazed, Co-Founder, CredR 
 
"The <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/StartupIndiaStartups-and-investors-are-smiling-their-way-out-of-Vigyan-Bhawan/articleshow/50606389.cms">startup plan</a> is quite a promising one and we are happy with few initiatives proposed by the government such as tax exemption for 3 years, no inspection for compliance under labour law and starting start- up in 1 day via mobile app. Also the government acknowledges failures to be part of building great start - ups and promises 90 days exit plan, which is well received by the start - up community. Efforts to seed entrepreneurial culture and supporting it through incubation set ups in universities should really propel product innovation. 
 
Government is looking to accentuate the Make in India and Make for India efforts. Plans to create 1000cr fund over next 4 yrs with incentive for tax capital gains to investors would really boost start - up risk appetite in the whole ecosystem. This is indeed a wonderful move from the government and we hope to see these initiatives executed in the near timeframe." 
 
Samar Singla, CEO and founder, Jugnoo 
 
Immense potential for entrepreneurship in India can be forseen with this campaign. By making the taxation and compliance norms easier, the government has taken some very positive steps in this direction. 
 
Raghav Chandra, Co founder, Urbanclap, 
 
This initiative of PM Modi is the right step in making the environment friendlier for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/StartupIndia-Standup-India-Softbanks-Masayoshi-Son-ishaving-a-roaring-love-affair-in-India-and-hes-in-no-hurry-to-move-on/articleshow/50601754.cms">entrepreneurs</a> and thus encouraging them to start up. We will wait for the fine print to understand exactly what the next steps will be. However, I can only say that outcome will be in the positive direction and we are very excited! 
 
Krispian Lawrence, Co-Founder &amp; CEO, Ducere Technologies – Makers of the world’s first haptic footwear Lechal 
 
The government's initiative to fast track start-ups patent applications is a very beneficial move to encourage start-ups. In addition, 80% rebate on patent filing and prosecution deals will allow start-ups to file and create intellectual properties which in the long run will end up being additional sources of revenue. This will spur product innovations in the country and allow Indian product companies to compete globally. Other encouraging aspects of the plan include self certification on labour and environment for all Start-Ups to be up in three years. 
 
Start-ups face a lot of challenges when setting up a business and if the government can ease smaller issues; it will help us to focus on scaling up the business. 
 
Shailesh Jain Co-founder, Mirraw.com 
 
It is delightful to know that our Prime Minister has taken into account small and medium size Start-ups that are not funded by huge investments. Specially, the tax benefits policy and ease on patent fee will extensively support a bootstrapped company like us where single money counts. India is a breeding ground for innovation and this intiative will give <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Startup-IndiaOla-Cabs-Bhavish-Aggarwal-is-conscious-thatsecurity-is-a-concern-more-measures-need-to-be-taken/articleshow/50602554.cms">opportunitie</a>s to many young minds to explore unique ideas. 
 
Anupam Tulsyan co-founder and managing director, Peachmode.com 
 
"We are going to witness a revolution in Start-up culture, with our country's PM validating the governing rules. Elimination of regulatory burden, faster certification and easy exit policy will encourage many youngsters to join the wagon. Tax redemption for 3 years is an important move by our Government that will help the new entrants to scale their business without VC's money. These tax redemptions will allow a bootstrapped company like us to be self-reliant and make profitable in the long run We have high hopes with Startup Indiamovement and sincerely believe that it will lead to many job creation in future. " 
 
Shaifali Agarwal Holani, founder and CEO, EasyFix 
 
What an initiative and a great day for India. Most populated India has sharpest brains of all times and this initiative will give a platform to many enthusiastic but under confident talents to come out of their ordeal. Encouraging privatisation will speed the pace at which India is developing and we will become a developed country soon. 
 
For us, EasyFix is a labour development &amp; construction focussed company, PM Modi said "he is trying to foster innovation and incubation" and our startup is looking forward to collaborating with Modi Govt for <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Exclusive-Practo-Foundersays-Modi-govt-should-do-away-with-regulatory-hurdles-in-the-healthcare-sector/articleshow/50604175.cms">skill development</a> and labour development initiatives. We want to be able to contribute to the society &amp; transform the unorganised labour market by doing things right, and that is by better execution of skill development programs. 
 
Swati Gupta, CEO and Founder, Industrybuying.com 
 
Patent fee reduction of 80% will be huge for IP based startups who can not only protect their intellectual property , but patents once registered add to tangible valuation increase" 
 
"No inspections for 3 years will very much reduce the regulatory burden related to VAT set up in new states, warehouse procedures , new factory set ups and much more physical infrastructure related start ups. 
 
Puja Bansal, Founder &amp; Director, Myheera.com 
 
Listening to action plan today I m most exited about the tax exemptions which will release the maximum burden on a startup like us. Self certification compliance in which for three years you are not disturbed from the govt end and you are at ease of doing your best to perform and more focused on the idea and its implementation. Today a start up can register themselves in one day which truly will show more minds and ideas coming quickly and getting jumpstarted. The fund of 10,000 cr which has been created to boost the startups will bring so much confidence as this is coming from our own country. 
 
Incubation centers getting promoted along with pre incubation centers will surely again prevent many failures in startups. Now when we see the entire ecosystem is contributing to 'Make in India' the sentiments of manystartups will change with much more deliverables and may more opening and changing the world. India is full of talents and now when our govt has finally joined hands we will see it as a big game changer with entrepreneurs emerging from every corner of the country. Faster exits were again a breather for many startup who again feel morally down with their failures. It will not be late when india will become world’s largest start up hub. 
 
Manish Kumar, co-founder and CEO of GREX 
 
“The Prime Minister’s announcement of the Startup Policy had quite a few important and measurable benefits that the startups can gain from. Most importantly, the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister outlined a change in the principle approach of the government towards the economy – that the government wants to stay away from deciding and directing on what needs to be done. Instead, the Government looks at a policy of arm’s length enablement. This stand is a bold new change in the government policy and disruptive in its own right. 
 
Venture debt was miserably missing in the ecosystem. Startups have only been used to equity as a mode of capital. GREX is completely poised to launch venture debt in a few weeks’ time. This will help our partner Banks and NBFCs walk the road along with us more aggressively as credits become guaranteed. 
 
Another big thing that was anticipated but not announced is the addressal of concerns around notional valuation gains to investors over and above the fair market value. The incidence of such tax deductions today lie at startups’ end. The ecosystem will expect more details on this front. However, the Prime Minister’s assurance on this is welcome. Some other welcome steps in favor of companies and therefore their investors are retention of profits by the company for three years.” 
 
Kulpreet Kaur, Co-founder, Shop Pirate Coupons

	“The Indian government has kick-started ambitious Start-Up India mission that envisages technology business incubators and research parks. This was for the first time a government in India has launched an exclusive program for startups and the expectations were really high. The vision to set up 75 such startup support hubs in the National Institutes of Technology (NITs), the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs), the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISERs) and National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIEPRs) will help India to develop local brands that can create global footprints. In the past India has been a market for technological innovation created overseas. The time has come now that the Indians create technological products at home that can be marketed globally. 
	We have the skills and need a platform. 
	Start-Up India is going to go a long way in filling up this void. I would say today is the day, that will take new and young entrepreneurs to a next level as the issue from incorporation to talent to infrastructure, all have been discussed. Its appreciable that the major concern of B2B business which is 10% TDS and 14.5 % ST, have been noticed and government saying they will rationalize the same. <o:p></o:p>

	Also as rightly said by Anisha Singh, it’s important that women entrepreneurs should be looked upon as entrepreneurs, not just women entrepreneurs. It’s our work that should get noticed not our gender. However the change is need of time and to give this equality government has to encourage women entrepreneur. It’s good to see that certain provisions are made where there are funds allocations for women entrepreneur. Ecosystem is getting changed and allowing more women to work, which is a highlight of Start-Up India Initiative. Apart from this startup sector becoming unregulated will be better for the sector. Instead of looking at Singapore, we will now have our ecosystem in India. Hoping the budget session will further revolutionize the startups in India. Now the only concern will be 'Sell it India" that is a challenge that needs to be addressed next.<o:p></o:p>

	Amit Ramani, founder and CEO, Awfis Space Solutions Pvt Ltd
Honourable PM Modi's action plan demonstrates a startup like thought process. It provides simple yet innovative policies that can catalyse a revolution to transform India as the most innovative country and major player in global GDP, a feat India enjoyed around 300 years back.

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