What can we Entrepreneurs learn from Kite Flying in 2023?

In India, we celebrate Makar Sankranti on 14th of January. This is an auspicious day and various festivals with different names and themes are celebrated in various states of the country. As per our Hindu religion, The Sun enters the Makara (Capricorn) sign on Makar Sankranti.

The celebration is known as Maghi Sankrant or Haldi Kumkum in Maharashtra and Goa. The celebration is known as Uttarayan or Kicheri in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. In Tamil Nadu, it is referred as as Pongal. It is referred to as Suggi in Karnataka. The celebration is known as Til Sankraat or Dahi Chura in Bihar. Makaravilakku is the name given to the event by Keralites. It is known as Makara Chaula in Odisha. The celebration is referred to as Magha Saaji in Himachal Pradesh. It is referred to as Bhogali Bihu or Magh Bihu in Assam. It is referred to as Poush Sankranti in West Bengal.

This joyous celebration is thought to herald the start of spring and the passing of the winter solstice. This celebration commemorates the beginning of the longer days and shorter nights. With reference to the Hindu Calendar, these festivals were celebrated either on 14th as well as on 15th of January or on both days in many parts of the country. During these days, flying kites is one of the popular activities in western India. People go to the ground or open space or terrace to fly kites. I enjoy flying kites with my family and friends. It is one of the first family get together of the year and everyone is looking forward to celebrating and flying kites.

On 16th January, we celebrated National Startup Day. Since 2022, the event has been commemorated. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that startups were the foundation of the new India. As part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Central Government has organized a number of events to commemorate National Startup Day across the nation this year. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is hosting Startup India Innovation Week from January 10 through January 16 in 2023 to honour the entrepreneurial spirit of the Indian startup ecosystem and commemorate this historic day.

My year 2023 began on a positive note, I am pleased to inform you that I have been onboarded as Mentor for the MAARG program. The MAARG Portal by Startup India is a one stop mentorship platform to facilitate mentorship for startups across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds. Startups can connect with academicians, industry experts, successful founders, mentors, seasoned investors, and other experts to get personalized advice on growth strategy, seek clarity, and get practical advice. MAARG Stands for Mentorship, Advisory, Assistance, Resilience and Growth. The MAARG Portal by Startup India is a one stop mentorship platform to facilitate mentorship for startups across diverse sectors, functions, stages, geographies, and backgrounds. Looking forward to delving deep into and contributing towards the development of Startup Ecosystem. 

If you have the zeal to guide Entrepreneurs, Mentor them and be the building block in the journey of startups, I would like to invite you to join MAARG Mentorship program. You can apply here. Should you have any queries, do let me know and I would be happy to help.

Coming back to the point of Festival of Makar Sankranti, activity of Kite flying and celebration of National Startup Day, I thought of authoring an article on what we entrepreneurs can learn from kite flying. Here are the points and learning at the intersection of learning from kite flying and learnings for entrepreneurs.

1. Setting and achieving goals: Kite flying requires setting a goal, such as getting the kite to fly as high as possible and taking the necessary steps to achieve it. Entrepreneurs need to set clear goals for their business and take the necessary actions to achieve them.
2. Adapting to changing conditions: Kite flying requires constantly adjusting the string and tail to adapt to changing wind conditions. Entrepreneurs also need to be able to adapt to changes in the market and the environment in which they operate.
3. Patience and persistence: Kite flying can be a frustrating activity, and it takes patience and persistence to get the kite to fly well. Entrepreneurship also requires patience and persistence, as building a successful business can be a long and difficult process.
4. Taking calculated risks: Kite flying involves taking calculated risks, such as letting out more string in order to gain altitude. Entrepreneurs also need to take calculated risks in order to grow their business.
5. Understanding the importance of teamwork: Kite flying is often a group activity, with one person holding the kite and others helping to control the string. Entrepreneurship also requires teamwork and collaboration to achieve success.
6. Maintaining focus and concentration: Kite flying requires maintaining focus and concentration to keep the kite flying. Entrepreneurs also need to stay focused and concentrated in order to achieve their goals.
7. Learning from failure: Kite flying often involves trial and error, and it is important to learn from failure in order to improve. Entrepreneurs also need to be willing to learn from failure in order to improve their business.
8. Achieving balance: Kite flying requires finding a balance between tension and slack in the string in order to get the kite to fly. Entrepreneurs also need to find balance in their business, such as balancing growth and profitability.
9. Being creative and innovative: Kite flying allows for creative expression and innovation, such as designing unique kites or flying tricks. Entrepreneurs need to be creative and innovative in order to stand out in their industry.
10. Staying competitive: Kite flying often involves competing with other kite flyers to see who can fly their kite the highest or perform the most tricks. Entrepreneurs also need to stay competitive in order to succeed in their industry.
11. Being flexible: Kite flying requires being flexible and adapting to changing wind conditions. Entrepreneurs also need to be flexible and adapt to changes in their industry.
12. Setting realistic expectations: Kite flying requires setting realistic expectations for what is possible given the current wind conditions. Entrepreneurs also need to set realistic expectations for their business and what is possible given the current market conditions.
13. Staying focused on the bigger picture: Kite flying requires focusing on the bigger picture, such as getting the kite to fly as high as possible. Entrepreneurs also need to stay focused on the bigger picture and not get bogged down in the details.
14. Making use of resources: Kite flying requires making use of resources, such as wind and string. Entrepreneurs also need to make use of resources, such as capital and talent, in order to grow their business.
15. Having fun: Kite flying is a fun activity that requires enjoyment to be successful. Entrepreneurs also need to enjoy their work and find fulfillment in order to be successful.

To conclude, we entrepreneurs have lot to learn by observing various activities and corelating with our environment to derive a learning. Through initiatives like the Startup India program, which attempts to help startups through measures like funding, tax exemptions, and streamlined rules, the Indian government has been actively fostering entrepreneurship and the expansion of startups in recent years. The government has also been attempting to enhance India's overall business climate, including through enacting economic reforms and building infrastructure that can assist the expansion of startups. In light of the exciting times that lie ahead, let's connect and work together to contribute to the success of the startup ecosystem. Hope you as an entrepreneur found fifteen learnings from kite flying interesting and insightful. Looking forward to your Like/Comment/Repost!

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