Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), an apex industry body have embarked upon a new three-year initiative jointly for Tribal Entrepreneurship Development’. The program was kick-started today by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Arjun Munda through Video conference. ASSOCHAM has been designated as one of several Centres of Excellence which are partnering with Ministry of Tribal Affairs to carry out special projects related to socio-economic development of Tribals.

Shri Arjun Munda during his key note address called upon all the stakeholders, including the industry members, to join in the efforts of developing the potential of the tribal communities and building their capacities to enhance their contribution in socio-economic growth thus fulfilling the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat given by the Prime Minister. He said that a country can only become self – reliant when its people will be made self- reliant. Citing various initiatives of his Ministry, he emphasised how these programs would understand and enhance the untapped potential and skills of rural and tribal communities, and provide possible solutions for their livelihood. With this new initiative of ASSOCHAM, he hoped to position and develop tribal offerings in national and International market and in turn create better livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans.

Shri Deepak Khandekar, Secretary, Minister of Tribal Affairs while sharing his views on tribal entrepreneurship said that the tribal communities have a great knowledge and skills and the entrepreneurship development initiatives would make them realise about their inherent strength so that they can available vast opportunities available with them so that they can use their skills and establish commercial ventures.

Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani President, ASSOCHAM, said that more than 4.5 lakh SMEs are directly or indirectly currently associated with our organization. Through this Centre of Excellence, value addition, technology advance and marketing of tribal products would be facilitated to the tribal communities in a more effective and efficient manner. The ‘Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme’ would optimize the contribution of tribal population to the growing economy of our country and support India's vision of becoming Atmanirbhar. He urged all members to come forward and collaborate with the Ministry to adopt a village near their factories in collaboration with Ministry.

DG, IIPA Sh. SN Tripathi stressed how the Atam Nirbhar Bharat initiative is connected to the teachings of father of Nation who always emphasised the role of tribals and rural India in Nation building.

Mr. Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM, said, “In a bid to promote and support entrepreneurship across Indian tribal communities, efforts are underway in connecting agriculture and forest produce with markets using technology, creation of self-help groups, empowering women, and creating self-sustainable enterprises. The ‘ASSOCHAM will strive to explore avenues of promotion to create a robust tribal brand identity and in the process - build and enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of the tribal artisans.”

Dr Navaljit Kapoor, Joint Secretary, MoTA delivered a presentation and briefed about several projects undertaken by the Ministry in collaboration with States, Trifed, and reputed Government and Non-Government Organizations spread over country and also discussed various models of entrepreneurship development undertaken with these partner organizations, designated as Centre of Excellences.

Ms. Meenakshi Sharma ASG, ASSOCHAM briefed about the project, where in 1000 tribal artisans would be identified under this initiative and would be helped to create a unique brand identity with a differentiated value proposition and connect with the potential customer base through exhibitions, Virtual road shows and explore participation of the entrepreneur’s in major events across the country and internationally.

To mark the ‘Launch of Tribal Entrepreneurship Development Programme’, ASSOCHAM also conducted a webinar titled, ‘Khadi: Symbol of independent Atmanirbhar Bharat’ to commemorate the birth of Mahatma Gandhi and to celebrate upliftment, inclusion and empowerment of our underprivileged, marginalized and impoverished communities. The discussion focused on the urgency to promote and support entrepreneurship of the tribal communities in the country. Shri Vineet Agarwal, Sr. Vice President, ASSOCHAM, Dr. Atul Kochhar, CEO, National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH), Dr. Manish Pande, Director & Head, Project Analysis & Documentation (PAD) Division, Quality Council of India, Dr. Manu Gupta, Co- Founder Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS) along with other senior industry players shared their views on the tribal development .

More than 300 participants across the country including Officers from State Government, TRI, various partner organisation working with Ministries and Mentors from GOAL program along with Officers of Ministry, IIPA and ASSOCHAM attended the event through vedio conference.

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NB/SK/MoTA