Sikkim starts SEED initiative for entrepreneurs

GANGTOK:

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated the 'Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development' (SEED) Cell at a function organised at Samman Bhawan here on Saturday.

Chief Minister is also the Chief Patron of SEED.

SEED encompasses entrepreneurs who are like-minded and committed in the creation of an ecosystem for the individuals who want to enhance capacities, ideas and potential and aims to improve the economy.

The programme was organised to felicitate the hard-working local entrepreneurs and, also to showcase their journeys to serve as a source of inspiration for others.

In his address, the Sikkim Chief Minister said that the independent and self-standing youth of the State who started their own ventures are the main pillars of the State.

"They are also responsible for expanding local employment opportunities," he said.

Tamang also appealed the young and budding minds of the state to have a wider perspective with new ideas and objectives and, to analyse business possibilities and thrive towards entrepreneurship.

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He also assured to render every possible support from the State Government like requisite facilities and relaxation to take entrepreneurship way forward.

"An entrepreneur is commonly seen as an innovator filled with an abundant source of new ideas and strategies to run a business," the CM said while extending his gratitude to SEED for "initiating uplifting and nurturing" the spirit of entrepreneurship.

The Sikkim Chief Minister also highlighted one of the pilot projects of the State Government which is 'Skill Youth Start-Up Scheme'.

This Scheme is envisioned to generate equitable entrepreneurial opportunities in rural as well as urban areas of Sikkim, particularly among the educated unemployed youth to become self-employed by providing 35 per cent subsidy on financially viable projects, and 50 per cent subsidy for the beneficiaries under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.

During the programme, Tamang also launched the magazine and App of SEED. He also distributed certificates to the office bearer of SEED.

A total of 35 entrepreneurs of the state were also felicitated by the SEED.

They include -- Rinzing Choden Bhutia, Allen Targain, Swarnim Lama, Yougan Tamang, Gyurmila Bhutia, Tenzing Bhutia, Shova Rai, Raj Tamang, Rewaj Chettri, Remanti Rai, Yankesh Panth, Bishal Rai, Vishal Pradhan, Sagar Parajuli, Nima Lama, Bikash Basnett, Bhupendra Gurung, Peden Ongmu Bhutia, Kushan Zulca, Sishir Kharka, Dipen Subba, Rajiv Mishra, Bishal Chettri, Kaushal Lamichaney, Smita Rai, Karma Choden Bhutia, Barsha Shrestha, Chetan Raj Pradhan, Ram Giri, Abhimanyu and Abhinandan Dhakal, Binay Chettri, Prabin Agrawal, Parayan Dikshit, Sonam Dorjee Bhutia and Gunsmriti Shakya.

The programme was also attended by Minister for Commerce and Industries Department B. S. Panth, Minister for Rural Development Department Sonam Lama, Minister for Urban Development Department Arun Upreti, Minister for Forest Department Karma Loday Bhutia, Advisors, Chairmen and Heads of the concerned departments, Secretary to CM, SD Dhakal, officials of the State Government and a large number of entrepreneurs from Sikkim.

(Edited by Iban Mawrie)

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