SHILLONG: James Evantis Dkhar is a first generation entrepreneur but with proper training and push from the government, Dkhar has proved his mettle in handloom business. Now, his weaving and textile unit at Umroh in Mawkasiang has given livelihood to 17 unemployed youths.
On Monday, Dkhar became the third recipient of the “Entrepreneur of the month” award. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma handed over the award — comprising a cheque of Rs 1 lakh, a citation and a memento —to the young entrepreneur.
Handing over the award at Chief Minister’s office in presence of Dkhar’s family members, the Chief Minister lauded the works carried out by Dkhar to promote local textile and weaving.
“We have embarked on this initiative to create an environment of entrepreneurship and recognise people who have set an example in the society by dint of hard work,” Sangma said.
“I am of the strong view that our initiative will yield results as we are not only recognising the entrepreneurs but will also handhold them to ensure that their venture is taken to the next level,” he added.
The chief minister will soon visit the unit and tell his success story on social media to encourage, promote and create awareness on entrepreneurship in Meghalaya.
Dkhar is a class twelve pass first generation entrepreneur who always dreamt of doing something new and better in life. His first stint with handloom started about 10 years ago when he underwent training at Mendipathar in North Garo Hills.
In 2014 Dkhar came into the ecosystem of the Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship, Shillong, which sent him for 10 days training on Dobby & Jacquard Machine at the Regional Silk Technology Research Station, Khanapara, another 10 days training to build Flying8 Loom Warping Mill at GIZ CCA NER Shillong, and also for a 3 months training on Silk Weaving at Central Silk Board, Bangalore.
Dkhar’s txtile unit produces fabric that has buyers locally as well as in Germany. The centre has also successfully trained six batches of weavers on the Flying8 Loom.
After training these weavers are provided with a loom each. Dkhar and his team then mentor them and buy back or help them to market their fabric.
