Shreekant Patil Drives Innovation and Support for Startups During National Startup Innovation Week & celebrates National Startup Day 2025 in Nashik Under the leadership of Shreekant Patil, Chairman of the Cluster & Startup Development Committee at MACCIA and Startup India Mentor, a series of impactful events were organized to celebrate National Startup Innovation Week (January 10th to 18th, 2025) and strengthen the startup ecosystem in Nashik. Startup Investor Meet — January 10th 1. Startup Investor Meet (January 10th) Held at MACCIA Nashik, the event attracted local entrepreneurs seeking investment, with Qatar-based investors Mr. Abhishek Kute and Mr. Pramod exploring funding opportunities. Vice President Shri Sanjay Sonawane & under Shreekant Patil, committee Chairman — Cluster & Startup development, led a session, offering guidance to startups on scaling their businesses. The event highlighted MACCIA's ongoing efforts to nurture a thriving startup ecosystem in Nashik. National Startup Day at KBT College of Engineering — January 16th 2. National Startup Day at Maratha Vidya Prasarak Samaj's Sharadchandraji Pawar College of Architecture & KBT Engineering College (January 16th): As a keynote speaker, Shreekant Patil shared valuable insights into the startup ecosystem, emphasizing the creation of a Startup Innovation Cell at the college level. MACCIA pledged to offer mentorship, industry connect, and funding to support students' entrepreneurial journeys. National Startup Day at Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Commerce — January 17th 3. National Startup Day at Sir Dr. M. S. Gosavi College of Commerce (January 17th): As the chief guest, Shreekant Patil guided students on utilizing government schemes and subsidies to start their first businesses, helping them understand the resources available for new ventures. National Startup Day at Government Industrial Training Institute (Adivasi), Trimbakeshwar — January 17th 4. National Startup Day at Government Industrial Training Institute (Adivasi), Trimbakeshwar (January 17th): Shreekant Patil addressed ITI students and professors, educating them on the startup ecosystem and the government schemes available through DIC to support small businesses in Trimbak. These events reflect MACCIA's commitment to fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurs. Through the leadership of Shreekant Patil, MACCIA continues to create opportunities for aspiring startups by providing mentorship, funding, creating startup ecosystem in Nashik region and vital industry connections.

Ding-Dong! “Stand clear of the closing doors, please” blasted the announcer's voice across the station. Jonah had heard this everyday since he could remember. “3 stops till Kingston” he thought, carrying a backpack full of books that he dreaded carrying for hours on the commute to and back from school. Jonah kicked his feet back and forth, his feet grazing the ground just slightly. He stared at the creases on his shoes who's brand he couldn't recall. They were some off brands anyways, no reason to remember which ones. The subway screeched to a halt, the faces outside the car that were once blurred stare back at Jonah. People start to push and shove the minute the doors open. Running up the stairs to leave the station, a mirage of conversations, mumblings and people talking flood Jonah's senses. He can't really make out what they're saying, he doesn't really try. “Jonah! How was school?” Jonah's finally made it to his destination. A small deli run by an older Korean man and his daughter. The sign outside reads “Ray's Delicatessen” but most people here call it “Ray's”, “Mr. Park's”, “the Park/Park” or “the Deli”. For Jonah, he calls it “home”. “Fine Mr. Park! Same as always!” replied Jonah Mr. Park shook his head and chuckled as he continued to tend to other customers, “As long as you're not getting into trouble” It's become a routine, Mr. Park asks how he is and Jonah replies with fine no matter what. Jonah tries to not stress him out, he always hears Hannah, Mr. Park's daughter, complain about her forehead wrinkles, crows feet and smile lines. Jonah doesn't see a problem but still tries to avoid making them worse Jonah slips behind the checkout counter, he sits on the blue crate right under the cash register and starts his homework on his knees like usual. History, English, then Science and Math, hardest to easiest. Jonah loves closing up shop and definitely not just because he gets to eat some of the unsold bagels and sausages. “Ai *tsk* Jonah, you know you mustn't sit here” exclames Mr. Park. Jonah doesn't move, Mr. Park doesn't really care. Time passes, business has been slow these days but it only means more time for Mr. Park and Jonah to talk. The deli was not just a place to get a quick eat for Jonah after school, it was his place of refuge, one of love and community. He had somewhere to be and all Mr. Park asked for in return were English lessons and to use some of Jonah's beginner-level novels to practice his reading skills. Jonah knew Mr. Park stopped needing those lessons a long time ago and for those textbooks, Mr. Park still reads them. Even though he completed all of them, cover to cover, hundreds of times, it still gives those literary works a second life. And Jonah would never mind when Mr. Park read them outloud to him either, even when he pretended to hate it. Bed-time stories were for ‘babies' and not 8 and a half year-olds. Still, “Maybe these books aren't so bad” thought Jonah. For without them, their friendship would be lost in translation.