Sikkim CM launches SEED Cell’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lab for students

New Delhi, 10 Nov: Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang digitally launched Entrepreneurship and Innovation Lab at Chintan Bhawan, Gangtok today. This initiative by the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Cell in collaboration with the State Education Department, with the mission of ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur,’ aims at inspiring and empowering college students to embark on the path of entrepreneurship and innovation in accordance with the mission of ‘One Family, One Entrepreneur.’

The Chief Minister, who is also the Chief Patron of SEED Cell, stressed the need to develop ‘entrepreneurship mindset’ early in life. “The seeds of entrepreneurship need to be planted at school level,” he said.

The Chief Minister also spoke about Skill Youth Start Up Scheme(SYSS) which is envisioned to generate equitable entrepreneurial opportunities among the educated unemployed youth to become self employed by providing 35%-50% subsidy on financially viable projects. He urged the need to work towards making Sikkim ‘Atma Nirbhar’ and spoke about the potential of the state towards making itself self-reliant. This is turn will help in improving the overall economy of Sikkim, he said.

“Government jobs in Sikkim are saturating, while opportunities in entrepreneurship are endless and in plenty,” PS Tamang said. The Chief Minister further stressed that business and entrepreneurship should be the first career choice of young minds.

In order to provide opportunities to the youth of the State, the Chief Minister also informed

about various initiatives of the state government and financial support provided to various entrepreneurs and small business owners. Industrial Park for local entrepreneurs in Namli, State Start-up Policy, establishment of Investment Board (with approx. Rs 50 crore set aside), loans under SYSS, financial aid to artistes and dance academies, awards of three to five lakhs rupees to most innovative ideas at college level, ‘Mega home stay’ project were some of the initiatives mentioned by the Chief Minister. He unequivocally stated that the state Government is always ready to render every possible support to take the entrepreneurship movement forward.

The Chief Minister announced the selection of state government’s flagship program, ‘Mero Rukh Mero Santati’ (MRMS), to demonstrate India’s global climate leadership to an international audience at the India Pavilion during COP28 scheduled to be held in Dubai.

It was informed that Government of Sikkim is signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Impulse NGO Network and Meta.

This partnership holds the promise of empowering a greater number of women and youth entrepreneurs, reflecting the state Government’s commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative opportunities, equipping individuals with the tools they need to thrive in the digital landscape and contribute to the economic growth and prosperity of the people, as informed.

During the programme, ‘KetKeti’ Breastfeeding bib and infant garments were also launched by the Chief Minister.

A moment of silence was also observed to pay respects to those who lost their lives in the recently occurred flash flood in Sikkim.