Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 228/21

CHIEF MINISTER'S E-CHAMPIONSHIP CONCLAVE HELD AT TURA

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma graced the Graduation Ceremony of Cohort 1 Entrepreneurs and On-boarding of Cohort 2 Entrepreneurs at the CM’s E-Championship Conclave 2021 held at Tree House Resort, Tura today afternoon.

Addressing the gathering of Business Entrepreneurship from Guwahati, Assam and across the districts of Garo Hills region along with Jury Members and other dignitaries, the Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that entrepreneurship is the only way through which the potential of the State’s rich natural resources can be harnessed and added that the Government is committed to promote entrepreneurs and create an enabling environment of opportunities especially for the youth of the State of Meghalaya. He also said that through the E –Championship, the Government has been able to bring the fore passionate youth who were keen to pursue careers in entrepreneurship. He further informed that the State Government has successfully uncovered the potential and skills of young people through the programme that has empowered them to take the challenge of entrepreneurship. “We have conceptualized the E- Championship Challenge to provide a platform for our entrepreneurs who have the passion but due to lack of opportunities were unable to upscale their business entities. Through this programme, we have identified the best business ideas and have helped them to upscale their venture. We are providing mentorship and incubation to enable them to take a new leap in their entrepreneurial journey,’ he said.

During the event, two noted entrepreneurs from Assam shared their experience on their entrepreneurial journey. Bhanu Pratap from North East Farm Sales Promotion and Ranjith Baruah from Aromica Tea shared their experiences on their entrepreneurial journey and also gave presentation of their products and enlightened the gathering on the diversity of agriculture and horticulture produces and how right packaging and marketing has enabled them to take their products to different level at national and international markets.

Further, the entrepreneurs from CM’s E-Championship 2020 batch Cohort-1 shared their experiences during the conclave and expressed their gratitude to the government for facilitating with the much needed financial support as well as guidance from technical expertise to take their enterprise way forward. Most of the graduates shared their challenges and experiences and mentioned that such programmes initiated by the Government will certainly promote entrepreneurs and youth talent of the State in the years to come. The graduates were also given E-Championship Awards and Certificates by the Chief Minister during the Conclave.

Commissioner & Secretary Planning, Government of Meghalaya Dr. Vijay Kumar, Director, Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship, D D Shira were among others who spoke during the conclave while West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Singh, Pranjal Konwar, COO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Flo Oberhofer, Program Head, PRIME Startup Hub, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, H K Borah, CIO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park were present during the conclave.

Press Release No. 229/21

CHIEF MINISTER INTERACTS WITH PRODUCERS' GROUP AT AMPATI MULTI-FACILITY CENTRE

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday, held an interaction programme with the producers’ groups of Betasing C&RD Block, South West Garo Hills under Farmers’ Collectivization for Upscaling Production & Marketing System (FOCUS) under Meghalaya Basin Management Authority (MBMA) at Ampati Multi-Facility Centre. The programme was a part of Chief Minister’s mission to create the much needed awareness on the potential to upscale agriculture activities in the State in his endeavour to promote farmers’ well-being and enable them to dream big. The Chief Minister has been touring different districts in the State to interact with farmers under Government’s flagship programme - FOCUS to ensure that farmers come together as a group to form ‘Producers Group’ and avail financial support and hand holding, which the State Government has initiated has initiated in the State through MBMA.

Speaking at an interaction programme at Ampati, the Chief Minister informed that Prime Hub is being set up across the State to provide training to farmers and entrepreneurs through MBMA, adding that such Prime Hub would also be established in South West Garo Hills very soon. The programme was organized in collaboration with the District Project Management Unit, South West Garo Hills, Ampati in the presence of several dignitaries and district officials besides the farmers and producers’ groups of Betasing Block.

The Chief Minister said that the Government is working with farmers and entrepreneurs to provide them market linkage, access to interest free loans, technical support and certification. The State Government has conceptualized the programme to ensure that majority of the population in the State, who are dependent on agriculture for their sustenance, are able to reap benefits of the prestigious programme, he said. He said that the Government is committed to serve the interest of the farmers adding that necessary assistance and support would be provided to them through various welfare programmes.

Later, the Chief Minister interacted with the farmers of the district and handed over cheques as financial support to 11 producers’ groups.