ROSEVILLE: The Indus Entrepreneurs (TIE) Minnesota held its meeting here last week event to discuss its 2008 initiatives. The organizers invited State representative Erik Paulsen who shared his experience along with his view on what is in store for Minnesota's entrepreneurs from the India Center. India Center bill was introduced by Erik Paulsen and he has been actively involved with the India Center. TIE Minnesota is among of the youngest chapters in the TiE Ecosystem and had the privilege to bring in Governor Pawlenty to inaugurate its office.

The meeting started off by Karthik Vish, a member of the executive committee talking about TIE's initiatives for the upcoming year which are to update their online website, plan on their annual gala that will be held in March, have member-only networking events and having charter members start up the mentorship program.During the break TIE members enjoyed a delicious burrito dinner and than assembled back into the room to discuss about the upcoming India Center at the University of Minnesota.

In the summer of 2007 Governor Pawlenty signed the omnibus higher education bill that included a $150,000 appropriation for the University to create an India Center. The India Center will foster an understanding of the history, culture and values of India and serve as a resource to promote economic, governmental and academic pursuits, and facilitate cultural and educational exchanges, collaborative research, and teaching and training activities.

State Representative Erik Paulsen along with Meredith McQuaid were on site to answer questions about the India Center which is still in the beginning process, but mentioned that the state of Minnesota has already taken the first step to the India Center which was the trade mission lead by Governor Pawlenty in fall 2007 to recognize India as a potential key partner for the future.