News & Announcement
Sikkim’s 1st SHG Entrepreneurs’ Meet - 2026, Pakyong District
Pakyong, March 24 (IPR): Sikkim’s 1st Self Help Group (SHG) Entrepreneurs’ Meet - 2026, Pakyong District, marking the successful promotion of enterprises under the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), implemented by the Sikkim Rural Livelihood Mission (SRLM) in partnership with Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation (KSNRO), was organised by SRLM, Block Resource Centre (BRC), SVEP Pakyong at the Community Hall, Pakyong, today.
The meet aimed to mark the progress of SVEP and to present the journey and outcomes of rural entrepreneurs promoted under the programme.
The programme has been implemented across four blocks of Pakyong District-Pakyong, Parakha, Namcheybong and Rhenock-promoting rural women entrepreneurship and non-farm livelihood activities, with over 1110+ enterprises promoted over the past four years.
Zilla Adhyaksha, Pakyong District, Mrs Laden Lhamu Bhutia attended the programme as the chief guest alongwith Zilla Upadhyaksha, Mrs Prabha Pradhan and Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mr Anil Raj Rai.
During the event, chief guest Mrs Laden Lhamu Bhutia expressed her gratitude to the technical agency, Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation, for their support and commended the participants for the successful implementation of the programme. She also congratulated the members who have successfully established themselves as entrepreneurs through the SVEP initiative.
In her address, Mrs Prabha Pradhan highlighted the role of SHGs in contributing to the State’s development, stating that women should be gentle but not weak, and must remain resilient and capable.
She noted that women play a key role in maintaining discipline and balance within families and society. She emphasised the need for women to be self-reliant and empowered, and urged members to encourage their children towards entrepreneurship, noting that such efforts contribute not only to individual growth but also to the development of the family, village and district.
Emphasising the need for self reliance, she highlighted the Chief Minister’s vision of One Family One Entrepreneur and Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samartha Sikkim.
Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mr Anil Raj Rai, in his address, encouraged members to take charge of their endeavours and urged them to dream big, focusing on key values that foster growth, unity, and overall well-being.
Additionally, he urged them to embrace a positive mindset, overcome doubts, and approach challenges with determination, emphasising the importance of self-reliance, ambitious thinking, and unity.
CEO, SRLM, Mr RB Bhandari, presented a detailed overview of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), highlighting its objectives, key activities, implementation framework and progress in the district. He stated that over the past four years, many enterprises have been promoted across the four blocks, spanning sectors such as grocery, food services, primary commodity-based activities, homestays, tourism, manufacturing and other service enterprises.
Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, Mr Rewaj Chettri, briefed on the “Swyam Sikkim” brand, a programme under SRLM, highlighting its focus on strengthening SHGs, promoting economic activities at the grassroots level, and driving a rural economic revolution aligned with the Chief Minister’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur” and a self-reliant and prosperous Sikkim.
He informed that dedicated permanent spaces have been created under “Swyam Sikkim” at MG Marg, Gangtok, to promote SHG products. He also outlined various State and Central Government initiatives supporting SHG members, including Sikkim INSPIRES, MSME Policy, Sikkim Start-up Policy, and Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyamsheelta Vikas Yojana.
He further noted that twelve SHG members were earlier entrusted with governance responsibilities as chairpersons and OSD, exemplifying the integration of grassroots perspectives into governance. He highlighted that the focus has now shifted towards bringing governance to the grassroots, ensuring coordinated government support reaches village communities and empowers SHGs to drive a rural economic transformation through their close linkage with government programmes.
He also highlighted the growing number of entrepreneurs in Sikkim and encouraged members to avail themselves of the various benefits and opportunities available under these initiatives.
Following this, Programme Coordinator, Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation (NRO), Ms Anjala Reddy, outlined the technical support under SVEP, focusing on capacity building, mentoring and implementation support mechanisms.
She further stated that SVEP aligns with the State Government’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur” and acknowledged the progress made under its implementation.
She highlighted key interventions under the programme, including the BRC Incubation Centre at Pakyong, aimed at providing a common platform to bring SHG products under a unified brand with support in raw materials, branding, packaging and labelling. She also outlined the “Ramailo Sikkim” community-based tourism initiative, which promotes community-led, responsible tourism while showcasing and preserving the cultural heritage of the State.
Prior to the programme, BRC President, Ms Biju Pokhrel, provided an overview of the meet, outlining its objectives and the progress achieved under the SVEP and various initiatives under SRLM.
Likewise, a success story was shared by an entrepreneur, highlighting her experience under the programme.
During the programme, the Block Resource Center Incubation Centre, Pakyong, was inaugurated by the chief guest, followed by the launch of Swyam Sikkim" Swadilo” food products and “Ramailo Sikkim” community-based tourism. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening local enterprises, promoting SHG products under a common platform and supporting community-led livelihood opportunities.
As part of the event, felicitations were accorded to BDS presidents from various blocks, BPMs, CRPs, and members of the Kudumbashree NRO for their contributions.
The programme also included a documentary presentation showcasing the work and progress of SVEP-BRC Pakyong over the past four years, followed by cultural performances by the SHG members and the release of a book titled "Ma Timilai Maya Garchhu."
Following the meet, the guests toured the SHG stalls from various blocks, featuring handicrafts, food items, and other products.
Also present at the event were Chairman, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Nim Chiki Sherpa; Chairman, Cooperation Department, Ms Bidya Biswakarma; Chairman, PHE Department, Ms Chumila Bhutia; Additional District Collector (HQ), Mr Sabindra Rai; ADC (Development), Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, BLock Development Officers from various blocks, officials from SRLM; head of offices from various departments; Block Project Managers, officials from Block Resource Centers, entrepreneurs and SHG members.
The meet aimed to mark the progress of SVEP and to present the journey and outcomes of rural entrepreneurs promoted under the programme.
The programme has been implemented across four blocks of Pakyong District-Pakyong, Parakha, Namcheybong and Rhenock-promoting rural women entrepreneurship and non-farm livelihood activities, with over 1110+ enterprises promoted over the past four years.
Zilla Adhyaksha, Pakyong District, Mrs Laden Lhamu Bhutia attended the programme as the chief guest alongwith Zilla Upadhyaksha, Mrs Prabha Pradhan and Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mr Anil Raj Rai.
During the event, chief guest Mrs Laden Lhamu Bhutia expressed her gratitude to the technical agency, Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation, for their support and commended the participants for the successful implementation of the programme. She also congratulated the members who have successfully established themselves as entrepreneurs through the SVEP initiative.
In her address, Mrs Prabha Pradhan highlighted the role of SHGs in contributing to the State’s development, stating that women should be gentle but not weak, and must remain resilient and capable.
She noted that women play a key role in maintaining discipline and balance within families and society. She emphasised the need for women to be self-reliant and empowered, and urged members to encourage their children towards entrepreneurship, noting that such efforts contribute not only to individual growth but also to the development of the family, village and district.
Emphasising the need for self reliance, she highlighted the Chief Minister’s vision of One Family One Entrepreneur and Sunaulo, Samriddha and Samartha Sikkim.
Secretary, Rural Development Department, Mr Anil Raj Rai, in his address, encouraged members to take charge of their endeavours and urged them to dream big, focusing on key values that foster growth, unity, and overall well-being.
Additionally, he urged them to embrace a positive mindset, overcome doubts, and approach challenges with determination, emphasising the importance of self-reliance, ambitious thinking, and unity.
CEO, SRLM, Mr RB Bhandari, presented a detailed overview of the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP), highlighting its objectives, key activities, implementation framework and progress in the district. He stated that over the past four years, many enterprises have been promoted across the four blocks, spanning sectors such as grocery, food services, primary commodity-based activities, homestays, tourism, manufacturing and other service enterprises.
Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, Mr Rewaj Chettri, briefed on the “Swyam Sikkim” brand, a programme under SRLM, highlighting its focus on strengthening SHGs, promoting economic activities at the grassroots level, and driving a rural economic revolution aligned with the Chief Minister’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur” and a self-reliant and prosperous Sikkim.
He informed that dedicated permanent spaces have been created under “Swyam Sikkim” at MG Marg, Gangtok, to promote SHG products. He also outlined various State and Central Government initiatives supporting SHG members, including Sikkim INSPIRES, MSME Policy, Sikkim Start-up Policy, and Mukhyamantri Yuva Udhyamsheelta Vikas Yojana.
He further noted that twelve SHG members were earlier entrusted with governance responsibilities as chairpersons and OSD, exemplifying the integration of grassroots perspectives into governance. He highlighted that the focus has now shifted towards bringing governance to the grassroots, ensuring coordinated government support reaches village communities and empowers SHGs to drive a rural economic transformation through their close linkage with government programmes.
He also highlighted the growing number of entrepreneurs in Sikkim and encouraged members to avail themselves of the various benefits and opportunities available under these initiatives.
Following this, Programme Coordinator, Kudumbashree National Resource Organisation (NRO), Ms Anjala Reddy, outlined the technical support under SVEP, focusing on capacity building, mentoring and implementation support mechanisms.
She further stated that SVEP aligns with the State Government’s vision of “One Family, One Entrepreneur” and acknowledged the progress made under its implementation.
She highlighted key interventions under the programme, including the BRC Incubation Centre at Pakyong, aimed at providing a common platform to bring SHG products under a unified brand with support in raw materials, branding, packaging and labelling. She also outlined the “Ramailo Sikkim” community-based tourism initiative, which promotes community-led, responsible tourism while showcasing and preserving the cultural heritage of the State.
Prior to the programme, BRC President, Ms Biju Pokhrel, provided an overview of the meet, outlining its objectives and the progress achieved under the SVEP and various initiatives under SRLM.
Likewise, a success story was shared by an entrepreneur, highlighting her experience under the programme.
During the programme, the Block Resource Center Incubation Centre, Pakyong, was inaugurated by the chief guest, followed by the launch of Swyam Sikkim" Swadilo” food products and “Ramailo Sikkim” community-based tourism. The initiatives are aimed at strengthening local enterprises, promoting SHG products under a common platform and supporting community-led livelihood opportunities.
As part of the event, felicitations were accorded to BDS presidents from various blocks, BPMs, CRPs, and members of the Kudumbashree NRO for their contributions.
The programme also included a documentary presentation showcasing the work and progress of SVEP-BRC Pakyong over the past four years, followed by cultural performances by the SHG members and the release of a book titled "Ma Timilai Maya Garchhu."
Following the meet, the guests toured the SHG stalls from various blocks, featuring handicrafts, food items, and other products.
Also present at the event were Chairman, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Nim Chiki Sherpa; Chairman, Cooperation Department, Ms Bidya Biswakarma; Chairman, PHE Department, Ms Chumila Bhutia; Additional District Collector (HQ), Mr Sabindra Rai; ADC (Development), Mr Sangay Gyatso Bhutia, BLock Development Officers from various blocks, officials from SRLM; head of offices from various departments; Block Project Managers, officials from Block Resource Centers, entrepreneurs and SHG members.
