In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in the district, the TEJAS (Transforming Entrepreneurial Journeys Across States and Districts) Workshop was organised today at Dak Bungalow Baramulla by Startup India, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Govt. of India in collaboration with JKEDI and District Administration Baramulla.
The event was inaugurated by the Director JKEDI, Mohd Younis Malik in the presence of Additional Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Syed Altaf Hussain Musvi, Chief Planning Officer Baramulla, Nisar Ahmad, General Manager DIC Baramulla and resource persons from Startup India and several other officers.
The workshop also brought together aspiring entrepreneurs, innovators, students, startup founders, industry experts and government representatives on a common platform to promote innovation-driven entrepreneurship and economic growth in the district.
Speaking on the occasion, Director JKEDI, Mohd Younis Malik, highlighted the immense entrepreneurial potential of the youth of Baramulla and stressed the need to create a robust ecosystem that supports innovation, enterprise creation and sustainable livelihoods.
He further said that the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for startups and innovators and through Startup India and JKEDI initiatives so that the youth can become job creators rather than job seekers.
Later in the day , the DC Baramulla also visited the workshop and assured full support from the District Administration to aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators and said every possible assistance would be extended to help youth transform their ideas into commercially viable ventures capable of generating employment and contributing to the local economy.
The DC further congratulated JKEDI for creating this culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting that such platforms help in nurturing ideas, refining innovations and ultimately commercialising them to bring them into the market.
Resource persons from Startup India, conducted detailed technical sessions during the workshop and provided comprehensive insights into the startup journey in India, the evolving entrepreneurial ecosystem and various government schemes designed to support innovation-driven enterprises.
The experts elaborated on different initiatives and support mechanisms available for startups and innovators, including incubation support, funding opportunities, mentorship programmes, intellectual property facilitation, market linkages and policy incentives.
They also guided participants on the process of availing benefits under Startup India and related schemes, registration procedures, eligibility criteria and institutional support available for transforming innovative ideas into viable business ventures.
The workshop further featured sessions on innovation and design thinking, intellectual property awareness, entrepreneurship culture and promotion of district-specific products under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative.
Interactive discussions on business model development, financial planning, investment readiness and founder interactions were held, enabling participants to engage directly with experts and gain practical insights into entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
Earlier, the guests of honour inspected various stalls set up by successful and budding entrepreneurs from across the district, where a wide range of innovative and market-ready products were showcased.