Gangtok, December 26 (IPR): Chief Minister Sh Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) inaugurated ‘Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, Cell (SEED) at a function organised at Samman Bhawan, today. Chief Minister is also the Chief Patron of SEED.
The programme was also attended by Minister for Commerce and Industries Department Shri. B. S. Panth, Minister for Rural Development Department Shri. Sonam Lama, Minister for Urban Development Department Shri. Arun Upreti, Minister for Forest Department Shri. Karma Loday Bhutia, Advisors, Chairmen and Heads of the concerned departments, Secretary to HCM, Shri. S. D. Dhakal, HoDs, officials of the State Government and large number of entrepreneur from Sikkim.
It maybe mentioned that SEED encompasses entrepreneurs who are like minded and committed in creation of an ecosystem for the individuals who want to enhance capacities, ideas and potential and aims to improve the economy.
The programme was organised to felicitate the hard working local entrepreneurs and also to showcase how these people dedicated in their own respective field so that they in turn can inspire other masses to be a successful entrepreneur and become self-reliant and self sufficient.
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the independent and self- standing youths of the State who have started their own ventures are the main pillars of the State as they are also responsible for expanding the local employment opportunities. He lauded the efforts of the talented entreprenuers as they have courageously displayed their potential and made a difference in their life as well as in the society.
The Chief Minister also appealed the young and budding minds of the State to have a wider perspective with new ideas and objectives and to analyse business possibilities and thrive towards entrepreneurship. He also suggested ways and means to hone their skills and capacities in various sectors and achieve to become successful entreprenuers in the State. He also assured to render every possible support from the State Government and provide requisite facilities and relaxation to take entrepreneurship way forward.
The Chief Minister stated that an entrepreneur is commonly seen as an innovator filled with abundant source of new ideas and strategies to run a business and extended gratitude to SEED for initiating uplifting and nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Chief Minister also highlighted one of the pilot projects of the State Government which is ‘Skill Youth Start Up Scheme’. This Scheme is envisioned to generate equitable entrepreneurial opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of Sikkim, particularly among the educated unemployed youth to become self employed by providing 35% subsidy on financially viable projects, and 50% subsidy for the beneficiaries under BPL categories, he added.
In order to give opportunity to the youths of the State, the Chief Minister also informed to provide hydro power projects up-to 5 MW to the people of Sikkim. He also appealed the young people to plan their foray into entrepreneurship as it is a profit yeilding business and that they can be financially stable, can generate employment and contribute for the development of the state.
During the programme, the Chief Minister also launched the magazine and App of SEED. He also distributed certificates to the office bearer of SEED.
A total of 35 entrepreneurs of the State who have started their own ventures through their immense potential were also felicitated by the SEED. The Chief Minister also handed over the souvenirs to entrepreneurs Bishal Chettri, Binay Chettri, Abhimanyu Dhakal, Abhinandan Dhakal, Rinzing Choden Bhutia, Allen Targain, Swarnim Lama, Yougan Tamang, Gyurmila Bhutia, Tenzing Bhutia, Shova Rai, Raj Tamang, Rewaj Chettri, Remanti Rai, Yankesh Panth, Bishal Rai, Vishal Pradhan, Sagar Parajuli, Nima Lama, Bikash Basnett, Bhupendra Gurung, Peden Ongmu Bhutia, Kushan Zulca, Sishir Kharka, Dipen Subba, Rajiv Mishra, Kaushal Lamichaney, Smita Rai, Karma Choden Bhutia, Barsha Shrestha, Chetan Raj Pradhan, Ram Giri, Prabin Agrawal, Parayan Dikshit, Sonam Dorjee Bhutia and Gunsmriti Shakya.
While sharing his experiences one of the entrepreneur, Shri Abhimanyu Dhakal delved at length about his journey as an entrepreneur. He along with his brother Abhinandan Dhakal faced many challenging events. Shri. Dhakal briefed his sojourn which consist of transforming the rural economy, and providing stable income and job opportunities to the locals. They worked with over 300 farmers spread across 25 clusters in four districts by growing Peruvian Ground Apple, Yacon and thus created’Yacon Syrup’. With their sheer determination and hardwork, both brothers are now the proud owner of the well known brand ‘Earthier’. Their next step now is to transform the agri and food processing division by diversification into multiple products sourced from the yeilds of local farmers.
Similarly, Shri. Dipan Subba also shared his commitment and passion towards entrepreneurship which emerged since his college days. He detailed difficulties faced in the beginning due to lack of capital but eventually, with the profit he earned from the small business by the sales of ‘Samruddhi’ (plastic products) he launched Silicon Technologies, an IT firm dealing in IT services and training.
Co-founder cum Chief coordinator of SEED Cell Shri Raj Lama presented a brief introduction of the Cell. He also spoke on the scope and advantages towards entrepreneurship. Highlighting the future course of action, he added that SEED focus on the training and industry link for entreprenuers and work closely with the government also create a network for overall development of entrepreneurship in Sikkim.
