Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 382/22

BDOS CONFERENCE HELD IN WGH

The West Garo Hills District organised the Block Development Officers’ Conference at the District Rural Development Agency, DRDA Conference Hall yesterday. It may be mentioned that this is the First ever BDOs Conference that is being held in the District. The Deputy Commissioner and Chairman, DRDA West Garo Hills, Tura Swapnil Tembe along with Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director, DRDA, Dolrich B G Momin has invited all the Block Development Officers and Programme Officer and Additional Programme Officers, MGNREGA from the seven blocks in the district to attend the conference.

In his presentation during the conference, the Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Swapnil Tembe highlighted the importance and significant role of the Block Development Officers and their tremendous possibility to facilitate sustainable development in the region. Further, mentioning the implementing points for several important schemes of rural development such as MGNREGS, PMAY, NSAP, etc he said that these are the fundamental units for rural development and rural areas are where the concerned officers need be to deliver their services for the welfare of the people of the region. Moreover, he suggested all the officers to renovate the office setting in order to create a better environment for working of office staff and an amicable atmosphere and temperament for the visitors.

Meanwhile, Chekame Sangma, BDO, Tikrikilla C and RD Block informed on how they manage team work, coordination and also highlighted the success stories of PMAYG of the block and Monoranjan Marak, BDO Rongram C and RD Block said that they are focussing on Rural Tourism Aspect and on various ways and means how other programmes can contribute for its successful implementation in the area.

Further, Emanuel Sangma, BDO, Selsella C and RD Block presented the issues and challenges faced by the block with regard to RTI, Complaints, High Courts, etc including the steps and strategies and plan to overcome these issues and challenges in future. In his presentation, Dr. Uttam Thamo Sangma BDO, Dalu C and RD Block highlighted on the Role of SHGs in promoting and uplifting the Rural Livelihood in the area and about the importance of VLDP and involvement of various line departments and stakeholders in preparation of plans in VLDP success stories of the block in previous years.

In the presentation Pittingson Sangma BDO, C and RD Block Demdema emphasized on Natural Resource Management, NRMC Trainings and awareness programs on NRMC and various ways to increase NRM works in the area. Meanwhile, Cheman Shira, BDO, Dadenggre informed about the Sustainable Development Goals, its importance and the ways to achieve it through Rural Development Programmes, Importance of IT in RD Programmes along with success stories of the previous years and Shelley Momin, BDO Gambegre stressed on Rural Sanitation, LGD and its Importance and success stories of the previous years.

The conference concluded with the presentation from the Additional Deputy Commissioner and Project Director, DRDA Dolrich B G Momin motivating and encouraging the officers to go out of the box and strengthen the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders with a larger objective of bringing together as a team and lead with a purpose towards achieving greater heights.

Press Release No. 383/22

PRIME INITIATIVE IS ENCOURAGING THE CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN MEGHALAYA

The state of Meghalaya is setting benchmarks across smaller states by fostering the culture of entrepreneurship. Under the able guidance of Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad K. Sangma the startup ecosystem in the state has undergone a colossal transformation. Speaking about the surge of entrepreneurship in the State, Shri Conrad K. Sangma, said that the Government has put in substantial effort over the last few years towards building an entrepreneurial ecosystem in the State by encouraging young people to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors and recognize their efforts, inspiring them to work harder, and providing them with resources. Our comprehensive program PRIME aimed at enterprise promotion and incubation in a holistic manner has found resonance and support from the citizens of Meghalaya besides changing the way the youth of this state is shaping up their career paths. Under the PRIME program, today budding business owners and founders receive comprehensive assistance at every stage of the process. The ASPIRE program aims to instill a sense of self assurance in our young people by teaching them nonacademic skills. I am heartened to discover that the state entrepreneurs were so dedicated to their work that not even a global pandemic could deter their goals to prosper.

The Founder of GreenNE Origins by Ayoshee Beriwal, one of the top entrepreneurs of Meghalaya, had a dream to make everyone health conscious, by offering a wide range of natural products including Turmeric Powder, Ginger Powder, and Pure Raw Wild honey multi Flora, Cashew nuts 8J Variety, Black Cardamom, Cinnamon Bark Green Tea besides others. Ayoshee first sale was a small sachet of Turmeric powder to her family, friends, and coworkers. She explains, that PRIME initiative changed my perception completely and helped me to trust my instincts to chase my dreams. I quit my job because of COVID 19 but looking back I believe it was a great decision to start my own venture and today I am on course to clock good sales numbers.

GreenNE Origins is doing well because of Ayoshee Beriwal dedication as well as the support of the Meghalaya government scheme PRIME. In January of 2020, PRIME was officially launched by Chief Minister of Meghalaya Shri Conrad K. Sangma. Through the establishment of a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem that facilitates the ready availability of credit, relevant technology, incubation, skilling and mentoring support, and access to leverage markets beyond the state, making entrepreneurship the preferred career choice of the youth and people of the state. Ayoshee joined PRIME in October, which greatly helped her in terms of funding. She received mentoring sessions from Prime Meghalaya to understand today market trends and demands. It helped her understand the difficulties of the farmers and understand their mode of functioning. Speaking about her experience, Ayoshee Beriwal says, I am lucky and fortunate to get the opportunity to go to Bangkok with the PRIME Meghalaya team to promote my products abroad and all over the world.

Tura, Meghalaya, 872 m above sea level, is the most beautiful place where Ayoshee was born and grew up. Ayoshee goal is to see the women here as self dependent, so as per capability of the women here, she provides employment to them. Additionally, she gives Meghalaya women a voice of her own. Her GreenNE Origins works to better the lives of farmers and preserve the cultural significance of the regional cuisines of Meghalaya and Northeast India. The PRIME Fund offers a seed grant of Rs 5 lakh and scale up innovation loans of up to Rs 25 lakh to help businesses get started.

As a state recognized for its resources in tourism, agriculture, floriculture, handicrafts, and handlooms, Meghalaya steady rise in the competitive startup race has been attributed to careful planning, optimal resource allocation, and a genuine interest in developing its people entrepreneurial potential. The establishment of the State Government PRIME, Promotion and Incubation of Market Driven Enterprises initiative has helped nurture startups and create a conducive environment for companies to take root. The program envisions making entrepreneurship a preferred career choice for the youth and people of the State. It aims to create a dynamic and collaborative ecosystem that enables easy availability of credit, relevant technology, and access to high leverage markets. It is interesting to see how entrepreneurs from Meghalaya are using the State ecology and culture to develop new markets. Most companies that have benefited from PRIME are centered around handicrafts, conservation, local produce, and educational development, supporting the local economy and advancing socio economic development.

Meghalaya has a long history of matrilineal culture, making it one of the rarest places in the world. Women here lead from the front. This is further evident in the state's substantial support of female entrepreneurs. Women led startups in the State have a valuation of over INR 10 crores. 20 percent of the funds allocated to the PRIME Kickstart Grant and the PRIME Innovation Scaleup Loan reserved for women led startups. 40 plus Start ups with mentors, 60 plus registered start ups, 50 plus State supported and Private Incubators and 20 plus Grassroot Start ups. 10 percent of the funds allocated to the PRIME Kickstart Grant and the PRIME Innovation Scaleup Loan reserved for grassroot level innovators. The development of skill based training and industry specific incubators has enabled businesses to develop distinctive products and successful strategies, while the youth of the state have benefited from the training and feedback modules built for various phases of the startup process.