Guwahati: The Tejaswini Assam Ideathon 2024, sponsored by the Women Cell, Industries, Commerce and Public Enterprise Department of the Government of Assam and implemented by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited (NEHHDC), concluded with a grand award ceremony and an exhibition at NEDFi House on October 21, 2024.
The event, aimed to empower women entrepreneurs across Assam, saw an overwhelming response with over 1500 registrations and 587 shortlisted ideas across six sectors.
Retired brigadier Rajiv Kumar Singh, Managing Director, NEHHDC, in his welcome speech, expressed his admiration for the innovative ideas presented and stressed the role of NEHHDC in providing support for capacity building, access to resources, and marketing of products through their platforms. He also highlighted the success of the participants in showcasing Assam's unique heritage through their ideas.
B. Kalyan Chakravarthy, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, Skill Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, Labour Welfare Department, Cooperation Department, and Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, addressed the gathering, lauding the efforts of women entrepreneurs.
The government official emphasized on the crucial role of entrepreneurship in driving the socio-economic development of Assam and assured the government’s continued support for fostering a conducive environment for women-led businesses. He highlighted the significant strides made by women entrepreneurs in the state and expressed optimism that the selected ideas would not only contribute to Assam's economy but also inspire more women to pursue entrepreneurship.
Upcoming Mentorship, Incubation Program to Offer Expert Guidance, Market Access
Sriparna B Baruah, Advisor, NEHHDC, underlined the importance of mentorship and handholding in transforming these innovative ideas into successful enterprises. She announced that a dedicated mentorship and incubation program will be launched soon to support the participants, providing them with access to expert guidance, training, and market linkages to ensure the sustainability of their ventures.
Manjurani Gogoi Talukdar, Joint Secretary, Industries, Commerce, and PE Department, Govt. of Assam, reassured continuous support to empowering women entrepreneurs by providing necessary resources and platforms like the Tejaswini Ideathon. The joint secy. encouraged the participants to leverage the opportunities provided by the government to take their ventures forward. She assured that the Department would continue to facilitate such initiatives for women entrepreneurs.
Besides, representatives from the Industries Department, Indira Kalita, Secretary to the Government of Assam, Industries, Commerce, and Public Enterprise Department, and Smt. Vaishali Nayak, Joint Secretary, Industries, Commerce, and Public Enterprise Department, Govt of Assam also graced the event.
Lalit Sharma, Director, Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) was also among the Special Guests who graced the event. As the event concluded, the participants exhibited their innovative ideas, ranging from technology solutions to creative products rooted in Assam’s culture and heritage. The winners were awarded prizes, including Rs. 1,50,000 for the First Prize, Rs. 1,00,000 for the Second Prize, and Rs. 75,000 for the Third Prize. Special categories such as Homemaker with an Innovative Idea, Women in Technology and Three Best Student Ideas were also recognized.
About Tejaswini Assam Ideathon 2024
Tejaswini Assam Ideathon 2024 is a business idea contest aimed at identifying and promoting women from Assam with entrepreneurial mindsets, providing solutions to local problems. The initiative, initiated by the Women's Cell, Industries and Commerce Department, Government. of Assam, and NEHHDC, provides a platform for women aged 18-50 to pitch their ideas and gain recognition in a wider network.
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