Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha & Assam University organises panel discussion on ‘Entrepreneurship in Barak Valley’

July 25: Under the Swabalambi Bharat Abhiyaan Movement started by Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha (SJM) on pan-India basis to promote entrepreneurship, Cachar Zila Committee of SJM in collaboration with Assam University, Silchar (AUS) organised a discussion session in Assam University on the topic; “Entrepreneurship in Barak Valley – A step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

The session was chaired by Prof.GP Pandey, Dean Abaninidranath Tagore School of Creative Arts & Communication Studies, Prof. Niranjan Roy, Department of Economics, Assam University, Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath, Registrar AUS, Annada Shankar Panigrahi- Akhil Bharatiya Sangharsh Vahini Promukh, Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha, Santanu Sutradhar, State Co-Convenor Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha, Binoy Paul, Sanjojok, Hailakandi, Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha, Debotosh Chakraborty, Associate Professor, AUS. The session was moderated by Dr. Joydeep Goswami.

In the opening speech, Debotosh Chakraborty welcomed the guests and briefed about the initiative of Swabalambi Bharat Abhiyaan. The keynote speaker, Prof. Niranjan Roy elaborately put forward the economic condition of Barak Valley and emphasized upon the need for utilizing the resources of our valley and develop entrepreneurship in relevant sectors to generate employment opportunities. He highlighted the examples of many entrepreneurs of Barak Valley along with the success story of Santanu Sutradhar, exporter of handicrafts of Barak valley. He insisted the youths to take up entrepreneurship and open the employment opportunities for the unemployed youths of this valley.

Annada Shankar Panigrahi in his speech elaborately explained about the strength of 37 crores youth of India  who has the capability to take forward the nation to Atmanirbharata. The need for developing entrepreneurship and changing the mindset of being job seekers to Job Providers. He narrated many success stories of renowned entrepreneurs which are the source of inspiration for the youths who aspire to become entrepreneur. He appealed to the educational institutions of Barak Valley to hold awareness programmes encouraging entrepreneurship among the students.

Santanu Sutradhar, a successful exporter of handicrafts and State Co-Convenor of SJM in his speech highlighted the need for the change in the mindset of our society which is only job centric and right from the primary school a child is inspired to become doctor, engineer or a govt employee. This trend has to change and the entrepreneurs should get due recognition in the society. The role of Institutions can play a pivotal role in this regard and motivate the youth to become job providers, rather than job seekers. He also highlighted the immense potential which exists in Barak Valley in terms of traditional crafts which could be materialized to generate mass employment.

Prof. DP Pandey in his speech appraised about the need for entrepreneurship in India to become Vishwa Guru as India has the best skills and technical resources among the youths. He expressed his thanks to SJM for the movement.

Two educated successful entrepreneurs, namely, Saikat Paul Choudhry & Digbijoy Mandal who has set up an organic modern Polyhouse in Udharbond and produced 600 Kgs of Cucumber and bell peeper was felicitated in the programme from Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha. The vote of thanks was delivered by Santanu Sutradhar.

It needs mention here that Swadeshi Jagaran Mancha has been conducting awareness programme in Atmanirbhar Bharat and Entrepreneurship in Barak Valley Since 2020. SJM in collaboration with AUS is going to organise an Entrepreneurship Encouragement Seminar in Assam University on 24 August, 2022 and also an Intellectual Meet the same day in Silchar, where many entrepreneurs of Barak Valley would be felicitated.