2 state entrepreneurs conferred awards for contribution towards nation-building

SHILLONG: Union Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has awarded seven young entrepreneurs from the North East, including two from Khasi Hills District with National Entrepreneurship Awards 2019 in New Delhi.
Out of 36 national awardees in various categories, seven are from the North East.
The awardees from the North East are Rida Gatphoh and Bandapbiang Dewkhaid (Meghalaya); Geetashori Yumnam, Thokchom Reena Luwang and Subhra Saikat Roy (Manipur); Alemoon Nessa (Assam) and Kashisho Chishi (Nagaland).
Bandapbiang and Tynshain Dewkhaid are the founders of Shillong Bamboo.
Gatphoh, on the other hand, founded Dakti Craft famed for black pottery-making.
They were awarded at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra in New Delhi on Saturday to recognise and honour their contribution towards nation-building through entrepreneurship.
The awards were conferred in the presence of Minister, MSDE Mahendra Nath Pandey; Secretary, MSDE KP Krishnan and Joint Secretary, MSDE Jyotsna Sitling.
The awards consisted of a cash price of Rs 5 lakh, a certificate and a trophy.
For the second time, IIT Guwahati –Technology Incubation Centre (IITG-TIC) was assigned as the regional implementing partner institute, with the core IITG-TIC team consisting of Chairperson Konjengbam Darunkumar Singh, and Regional Programme Coordinator Himujjall Sarmah.
This time, out of 12 regions, North East was conferred the highest number of awards.
Bandapbiang said the mission is to increase the usage of innovative bamboo products and architecture in everyday life.
“We are replacing plastic with bamboo to some extent. Shillong Bamboo also aims at extending its work to the people and artisans of the state to make people conscious about the importance of bamboo as the 21st century material,” he said, adding that they are on a mission to preach the bamboo message that it is magical and is an industry yet to be exploited.