News & Announcement
Awareness programme on Entrepreneurship as a Career Option under Sikkim INSPIRES reaches Regu
Pakyong, March 17 (IPR): The ongoing awareness and sensitisation programme on Entrepreneurship as a Career Option under Sikkim Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies (INSPIRES)-Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plan (IEIAP) was held at the conference hall of the Block Administrative Centre, Regu, Pakyong District, today.
The programme was organised by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Commerce and Industries Department, Pakyong District, for secondary and senior secondary students from seven schools across the district.
Additional Political Secretary to HCM, Pakyong District, Mr Bishal Sharma, attended the programme as the chief guest.
In his address, the chief guest acknowledged the department for organising the programme and for providing a platform to the participants.
He emphasised the importance of one’s thought process in shaping goals and outcomes, and underlined that discipline, dedication, and focus on studies are essential for achieving one’s aspirations. He noted that adolescence is a critical phase, where decisions can have a lasting impact, and advised students to remain careful and focused on their goals.
He encouraged students to consider entrepreneurship as a career option and highlighted the various avenues available in the field, and shared information on State Government initiatives to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
He also outlined the scholarship schemes provided by the State Government, citing examples, and encouraged students to make use of these opportunities to support their education and future plans.
In his keynote address, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Pakyong, Mr Jigmee W Bhutia briefed the participants on Sikkim INSPIRES, a five-year initiative of the Government of Sikkim supported by the World Bank.
He stated that the initiative focuses on youth and women empowerment, promotes skill development and entrepreneurship, and supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the objectives and key focus areas of the programme, which include skill development and training, entrepreneurship promotion, employment linkages, support to non-farm sectors, and economic inclusion for youth. He also spoke about the sectors supported under the programme and the expected impact of the initiative.
GM, DIC informed that the district plan under the Sikkim INSPIRES - Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plan was prepared based on focus group discussions. The plan identified several activities to promote economic participation. He stated that under the initiative, various programmes are being implemented in Pakyong District by the District Implementation Committee headed by the District Collector. He further informed that the awareness programme is one of the activities under the district plan.
He urged the students to listen patiently and take something useful from the session, expressing hope that it would help develop their interest in entrepreneurship.
During the programme, a series of presentations was delivered by resource persons.
A session on Entrepreneurship as a Career Option was conducted by the resource person and Assistant Professor, Sikkim Government College Rhenock, Mr Pranay Khatiwara.
He explained that entrepreneurship involves doing something new by developing one’s own ideas and addressing real-life problems through innovative and creative approaches.
He highlighted that entrepreneurship is a viable career option, alongside other conventional paths, and offers opportunities to create change and make a meaningful impact. He outlined several advantages of entrepreneurship, including autonomy and flexibility, unlimited earning potential, personal growth and skill development, and the ability to build a career aligned with one’s passion. He further noted its relevance in the present context of digitisation and Artificial Intelligence.
He further highlighted the range of avenues available in the state for taking up entrepreneurial ventures, and noted that products from a region can gain wider recognition across the world, citing examples of GI-tagged products, and encouraged students to explore such possibilities.
He also informed that with support from the State Government, various initiatives are being implemented to promote entrepreneurship, and stated that the programme is one such effort. He urged the students to take advantage of these opportunities.
Branch Manager, SISCO Bank, Rongli, Mrs Eden Lhamu Bhutia highlighted the role of banks and financial institutions in supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. She explained that financial assistance is essential for starting and sustaining an enterprise, and outlined how banks facilitate access to credit. She elaborated on various government schemes such as PMEGP, PMFME, Start-up India, along with financial assistance options like cash credit and term loans.
She provided an overview of these schemes, the sectors they support, and the process involved in availing assistance. She also discussed the importance of preparing necessary documents, assessing project feasibility, and planning effectively before starting a venture.
A session on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Mr Jikmee Wangchuk Lepcha. He provided an overview of the scheme, outlining its objective of promoting self-employment by supporting the establishment of micro-enterprises in both manufacturing and service sectors. He explained the eligibility criteria, application process, and the role of financial institutions in extending assistance under the scheme. He also highlighted the subsidy component and the support available to beneficiaries for setting up their ventures.
Rural Secretary, SEED Cell, Mrs Homika Gurung shared her experience as an entrepreneur, outlining her journey from initial stages to gradual progress. She spoke on the challenges faced and the steps taken to address them.
She also explained the difference between entrepreneurship and business, stating that entrepreneurship focuses on new ideas and innovation, while business generally follows established models.
Further, she highlighted the Chief Minister’s vision of 'One Family One Entrepreneur', encouraging students to consider entrepreneurship as a viable option and take steps towards starting their own ventures.
An interactive session was held during which students raised queries and the resource persons addressed them.
Also present at the programme were escort teachers from various schools under the district and officials from the District Industries Centre.
The programme was organised by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Commerce and Industries Department, Pakyong District, for secondary and senior secondary students from seven schools across the district.
Additional Political Secretary to HCM, Pakyong District, Mr Bishal Sharma, attended the programme as the chief guest.
In his address, the chief guest acknowledged the department for organising the programme and for providing a platform to the participants.
He emphasised the importance of one’s thought process in shaping goals and outcomes, and underlined that discipline, dedication, and focus on studies are essential for achieving one’s aspirations. He noted that adolescence is a critical phase, where decisions can have a lasting impact, and advised students to remain careful and focused on their goals.
He encouraged students to consider entrepreneurship as a career option and highlighted the various avenues available in the field, and shared information on State Government initiatives to support aspiring entrepreneurs.
He also outlined the scholarship schemes provided by the State Government, citing examples, and encouraged students to make use of these opportunities to support their education and future plans.
In his keynote address, General Manager, District Industries Centre, Pakyong, Mr Jigmee W Bhutia briefed the participants on Sikkim INSPIRES, a five-year initiative of the Government of Sikkim supported by the World Bank.
He stated that the initiative focuses on youth and women empowerment, promotes skill development and entrepreneurship, and supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth. He highlighted the objectives and key focus areas of the programme, which include skill development and training, entrepreneurship promotion, employment linkages, support to non-farm sectors, and economic inclusion for youth. He also spoke about the sectors supported under the programme and the expected impact of the initiative.
GM, DIC informed that the district plan under the Sikkim INSPIRES - Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plan was prepared based on focus group discussions. The plan identified several activities to promote economic participation. He stated that under the initiative, various programmes are being implemented in Pakyong District by the District Implementation Committee headed by the District Collector. He further informed that the awareness programme is one of the activities under the district plan.
He urged the students to listen patiently and take something useful from the session, expressing hope that it would help develop their interest in entrepreneurship.
During the programme, a series of presentations was delivered by resource persons.
A session on Entrepreneurship as a Career Option was conducted by the resource person and Assistant Professor, Sikkim Government College Rhenock, Mr Pranay Khatiwara.
He explained that entrepreneurship involves doing something new by developing one’s own ideas and addressing real-life problems through innovative and creative approaches.
He highlighted that entrepreneurship is a viable career option, alongside other conventional paths, and offers opportunities to create change and make a meaningful impact. He outlined several advantages of entrepreneurship, including autonomy and flexibility, unlimited earning potential, personal growth and skill development, and the ability to build a career aligned with one’s passion. He further noted its relevance in the present context of digitisation and Artificial Intelligence.
He further highlighted the range of avenues available in the state for taking up entrepreneurial ventures, and noted that products from a region can gain wider recognition across the world, citing examples of GI-tagged products, and encouraged students to explore such possibilities.
He also informed that with support from the State Government, various initiatives are being implemented to promote entrepreneurship, and stated that the programme is one such effort. He urged the students to take advantage of these opportunities.
Branch Manager, SISCO Bank, Rongli, Mrs Eden Lhamu Bhutia highlighted the role of banks and financial institutions in supporting aspiring entrepreneurs. She explained that financial assistance is essential for starting and sustaining an enterprise, and outlined how banks facilitate access to credit. She elaborated on various government schemes such as PMEGP, PMFME, Start-up India, along with financial assistance options like cash credit and term loans.
She provided an overview of these schemes, the sectors they support, and the process involved in availing assistance. She also discussed the importance of preparing necessary documents, assessing project feasibility, and planning effectively before starting a venture.
A session on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Mr Jikmee Wangchuk Lepcha. He provided an overview of the scheme, outlining its objective of promoting self-employment by supporting the establishment of micro-enterprises in both manufacturing and service sectors. He explained the eligibility criteria, application process, and the role of financial institutions in extending assistance under the scheme. He also highlighted the subsidy component and the support available to beneficiaries for setting up their ventures.
Rural Secretary, SEED Cell, Mrs Homika Gurung shared her experience as an entrepreneur, outlining her journey from initial stages to gradual progress. She spoke on the challenges faced and the steps taken to address them.
She also explained the difference between entrepreneurship and business, stating that entrepreneurship focuses on new ideas and innovation, while business generally follows established models.
Further, she highlighted the Chief Minister’s vision of 'One Family One Entrepreneur', encouraging students to consider entrepreneurship as a viable option and take steps towards starting their own ventures.
An interactive session was held during which students raised queries and the resource persons addressed them.
Also present at the programme were escort teachers from various schools under the district and officials from the District Industries Centre.
