Ten entrepreneurs from the Northeast region, along with their spouses, were specially invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grace the 75th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path in New Delhi. Their presence served as a powerful symbol of the government’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and skill development for a vibrant India.
These individuals, representing diverse sectors like incense manufacturing, garment making, and food processing, were trained by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) Guwahati, an organization under the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). Their journey exemplifies the transformative power of skill development in empowering individuals and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
The entrepreneurs visited the Kaushal Bhavan, the ministry’s headquarters after the parade. The programme was graced by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, and Atul Kumar Tiwari, Secretary MSDE, highlighting the government’s focus on skilling and entrepreneurship initiatives.
The team of entrepreneurs was led by Prasanta Goswami, AFM and nodal officer of the programme.
Entrepreneurs showcasing success:
Chandana Saikia Kalita: A homemaker from Assam who turned her passion for baking into a successful business after learning cake-making skills from YouTube and undergoing formal training from IIE.
Mayangsangla: Inspired by her farmer family, she used her training to promote local organic produce from her Nagaland village.
Bhabasindhu Saikia: This first-generation entrepreneur from Assam set up an incense stick-making unit after IIE’s training programme, even winning an award at the India International Trade Fair.
Samita Asfia Sirin: Following her passion for garment making, she started her sewing institute in Dibrugarh, providing training and empowering other women.
Banshailang Marbaniang: From a resident of the world’s wettest place, Mawsynram, he overcame financial limitations to start a food processing business after IIE’s skill development programme.
Priyoli Tanwar: This Manipur native used her beauty therapy training to become financially independent, offering private sessions and balancing motherhood with her entrepreneurial journey.
Chaiti Das: Employed at a skill-based training centre empowering women, she honed her beautician skills through IIE and now runs her successful salon, offering free training and generating a steady income.
Renu Nath: Starting with pickle and jam-making training, she now owns a store selling her products and empowering other SHG members through participation in national fairs.
Doni Riba: Founder of the food delivery app ‘Hungryji’ serving Arunachal Pradesh, he exemplifies the impact of skilling in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region. (She couldn’t attend the programme due to some personal issues.)
Karabi Baruah Kalita: Trained in beauty and wellness under various government schemes, she runs her salon, showcasing the power of skill development in creating self-employment opportunities.
These are just a few examples of the many individuals empowered by the government’s skilling initiatives. Their stories serve as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs across the country, particularly in the Northeast region, highlighting the potential of skill development to unlock individual potential and contribute to India’s economic progress.
