Diplomat Correspondent
Leh, DD: In a significant step towards fostering self reliance and promoting an entrepreneurial mindset among Ladakhi youth, the Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, through its flagship initiative Enterprising Ladakh, organized a three-day Entrepreneurship Awareness Program (EAP) at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) Leh from July 2 to 4, 2025.
The program is being implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, under the guidance of Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Brigadier (Dr.) B.D. Mishra; Chief Secretary, Dr. Pawan Kotwal; and Secretary, Higher/Technical Education and Skill Development, Smt. Bhanu Prabha, IAS. The visionaries behind the initiative include Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, and Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director – Projects (Government), EDII.
Aimed at equipping the youth of Ladakh with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, the program focused on key areas such as ideation, business planning, and financial literacy. Sessions were led by a dynamic team of EDII faculty, local entrepreneurs, and subject experts.
On Day 1, Mr. Abhishake Nandan and Ms. Fariha Fatima from EDII Ahmedabad, along with local entrepreneur Mr. Stanzin Jordan (Founder, Ladakh Basket), conducted sessions on building an entrepreneurial mindset and identifying business opportunities in the Ladakhi context.
On Day 2, participants engaged in practical sessions on product design, packaging, and sustainability. These were led by Ms. Kritika Joshi (Design and Packaging Expert) and Mr. Jigmat Paljor (Director, SEEHWA), supported by Ms. Fariha Fatima and Ms. Padma Lhazes of EDII.
On Day 3, the program concluded with the release of the Enterprising Ladakh Training Module Booklet by Secretary, Smt. Bhanu Prabha, IAS, in the presence of Mr. Sonam Angchuk, Superintendent In-Charge, and the Enterprising Ladakh team.
Over 100 ITI students attended the final day’s session, some of whom also presented their business ideas before a panel comprising the Secretary, EDII experts, ITI faculty, and fellow participants. Their enthusiastic participation signaled a growing interest in entrepreneurship as a transformative career path in the region.
In her address, Secretary Bhanu Prabha emphasized the vast potential for youth-led enterprises in Ladakh, particularly in sectors such as floriculture, food processing, and the green economy. She urged students to take early initiative, noting that as service platforms like Blinkit and Zomato prepare to enter Leh, the entrepreneurial landscape will soon become more competitive. “Now is the time to act,” she remarked, encouraging students to leverage EDII’s support and seize the first-mover advantage.
The Enterprising Ladakh initiative will continue to roll out similar programs across all seven districts of the Union Territory, aiming to inspire a new generation of job creators and changemakers.DD
