It was a meeting with a difference. Rather than wish lists peppered with demands for sops and concessions, this interaction centered around technology. When Prime Minister Narendra Modi met over 200 entrepreneurs of start-ups on Thursday, only ideas were exchanged. The obejective: To see how technology could be better used to deliver services to citizens in spaces such as health and skill development.

Entrepreneurs compared notes with the PM at the event ‘Champions of Change’, organised by the Niti Aayog. Going ahead, many of these entrepreneurs may work with administrative ministries to help implement schemes. “The PM wants to institutionalise such meetings,” an official explained to FE.

Two more meetings — one with successful CEOs and another with promoters of large firms — will be held soon. “The focus will be on economy, investments and jobs,” the official said.

Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Founder and CEO, Paytm, felt it was a good idea to get inputs from change agents on problems which the government was trying to solve. “My big idea is how to make digital transactions or payments the starting point of financial inclusion, totally friction-less and valuable,” Sharma said.

Ashish Goel, CEO and co-founder, Urban Ladder, said given the focus on digital India, it was important that the private sector worked with the government to achieve a cashless economy.

Modi said the government is trying to harness the strengths and talents available. Citing the example of ‘Ambulance Uncle in West Bengal’, a man who used a two-wheeler to take the ill to hospitals, the PM said start-ups in the healthcare space can play a crucial role in providing medical facilities, especially in the villages.

Modi also said technology can provide a big boost to the quality of education. Stressing that the government wants to work together with all citizens towards a new India, he said, “Every one of us is equally patriotic and wants India to scale new heights of progress.”

Several Union ministers, including finance minister Arun Jaitley, Niti Aayog officials and other senior government officials, also interacted with the entrepreneurs.