Guwahati, July 17: More than 100 military veterans from across the Northeast participated in an entrepreneurship workshop in Guwahati on Friday, aimed at equipping ex-servicemen with the skills and institutional support needed to build successful businesses after retirement from the armed forces, officials said.
The workshop was organised by the North East Region (NER) Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) to encourage veterans to transition from military service to entrepreneurship and become contributors to the region’s economic growth.
The programme featured sessions on business planning, financial management, marketing strategies, digital business opportunities, startup funding and access to various government schemes designed to promote entrepreneurship. Addressing the participants, Air Vice Marshal Sanjib Bordoloi, AVSM (Retd), said military veterans possess qualities such as leadership, discipline, resilience and problem-solving abilities that make them well-suited for entrepreneurial ventures.
He urged the participants to leverage these strengths to establish sustainable enterprises, generate employment and contribute to local economic development. Officials from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Guwahati, and the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC), along with representatives of the NER Chapter of PHDCCI, highlighted the range of support available for ex-servicemen aspiring to become entrepreneurs.
They informed participants about training programmes, mentoring support, financial assistance, credit facilities and networking opportunities aimed at helping veterans establish and expand their businesses. The organisers said such initiatives are intended to facilitate the transition of military personnel into civilian careers while promoting self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods. The workshop also included interactive discussions with successful entrepreneurs and industry experts, who shared practical insights and real-life experiences on setting up and managing businesses in today’s competitive environment.
Participants actively engaged in the sessions, sought guidance on business opportunities and appreciated the practical orientation of the programme. According to the organisers, the enthusiastic response reflected the growing interest among retired defence personnel in entrepreneurship as a viable post-service career option.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, with organisers reaffirming their commitment to supporting military veterans through capacity-building initiatives and stronger linkages with financial institutions and government agencies to help them achieve long-term economic self-reliance.
IANS
