RGU organises national seminar on rural livelihoods, entrepreneurship development
RONO HILLS: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised a national seminar on ‘Opportunities for Livelihood & Income Enhancement among Rural Masses through Micro & Small Industry Startups Utilising Natural Resources of Arunachal Pradesh’ at its smart theatre here on Thursday.
The seminar was organised by RGU’s DST-Technology Enabling Centre (DST-TEC), in collaboration with the university’s IQAC, the computer science & engineering department, and the food technology department.
The programme aimed to explore sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural communities through entrepreneurship, innovation, and effective utilisation of locally available natural resources.
Addressing the gathering, Prof Jaydeba Sahoohighlighted the industry-academia linkages. He said that Arunachal is “the land of opportunities.”
“We need to change our mindset to work hard and grab the opportunities,” he said, and advocated research and development and skill enhancement among the students for startups and innovations.
Arunachal Pradesh Khadi & Village Industries Board Chairman Maling Gombu emphasised the importance of promoting village industries and self-employment opportunities for rural youths. He also highlighted the Monpa handmade paper and other manmade products of Arunachal Pradesh.
He also highlighted various government schemes and opportunities for MSMEs.
Dr Rakesh Kumar Jain, technical expert at the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation, highlighted technology-driven industrial development and entrepreneurship models suitable for the Northeast region. He added that “the natural resources biomass and bio-waste available in Arunachal can be converted from waste to wealth and livelihood.”
RGU Registrar Dr NT Rikam highlighted GI taggingof various products of Arunachal, and scaling up handmade products and artefacts to the global level.
The seminar was chaired by RGU IQAC Director Prof Utpal Bhattacharjee. It witnessed enthusiastic participation of faculty members, research scholars, students, government officials, and industry representatives.
Discussions focused on bamboo and herbal industries, agro-based entrepreneurship, sustainable use of natural resources, skill development, and startup ecosystem support.
The organisers said that the seminar would help promote entrepreneurship, rural employment, and technology-driven development in Arunachal and the Northeast region.
