GANDERBAL, MAY 22: One of its kind Youth Entrepreneurship Festival Ganderbal entered its conclusion with the Idea Pitching Event in District Ganderbal at Govt. Degree College Ganderbal today.
The concluding event was presided over by the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal, Shyambir as Chief Guest.
The festival was aimed at promoting Entrepreneurial zeal among the youth of the Ganderbal so that more and more sustainable enterprises are created in the district.
The Idea Pitching Challenge envisioned by District Skill Committee Ganderbal to promote angel investment and startup culture started 2 months ago with awareness camps at various educational institutions by which 121 unique ideas were received.
The ideas were screened after a two-tier process and 21 ideas were shortlisted for the final day pitch. Today 18 ideas were pitched in front of investors and innovation experts of which 11 were offered direct investment support from investors. The event was held under the SANKALP Programme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, GOI and was supported by 24 Rashtriya Rifles under Operation Sadbhavna, Jammu & Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute, and Kashmir Angel Network.
The winners of the Idea Pitching Challenge shall receive cash prizes up to ₹50,000.
Moreover, all departments dealing with livelihood generation schemes also installed their stalls showcasing their schemes in which youth from the district showed their interest and were amazed to see the no. of self-employment schemes available.
Besides this, the closing cum prize distribution ceremony was held in which mementos were distributed to winners of the various art, craft and skill Challenges. The winners of the events shall be given cash prizes up to ₹3000.
The festival has become an example of convergence among the different departments dealing with livelihood generation and Indian Army.
The line departments have provided the platform and the Indian army has provided the necessary support for the success of festival. 24 Rashtriya Rifles has provided the necessary support for making the venue suitable for holding the events by planting more than 150 trees besides building and amphitheater (which is in pipeline) for the students to showcase their performing art skills. Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) has contributed by Corporate Social Responsibility by developing an Entrepreneurship Development Cell called Venture Incubation and Knowledge Application Launchpad (VIKALP), which aims to project Entrepreneurship as an option to youth of the district.
Major Hitesh Kumar Singh, Officer Commanding, Duderhama Coy was the guest of honor for the event.
