DOIMUKH : Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised a national seminar on “Opportunities for Livelihood and Income Enhancement among Rural Masses through Micro and Small Industry Start-Ups Utilizing Natural Resources of Arunachal Pradesh” at the Smart Theatre of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering on Friday.
The seminar was organised by the Department of Science and Technology-Technology Enabling Centre (DST-TEC), RGU, in collaboration with the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the Department of Food Technology.
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, RGU senior-most professor Prof Jaydeba Sahoo stressed the importance of industry-academia linkages and said Arunachal Pradesh is a land of opportunities. He emphasised the need for research, skill enhancement and innovation among students to promote start-ups and entrepreneurship.
Arunachal Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (APKVIB) Chairman Maling Gombu, the keynote speaker of the seminar, highlighted the importance of promoting village industries and self-employment opportunities for rural youth. He also spoke about Monpa handmade paper and other indigenous products of Arunachal Pradesh and highlighted various government schemes supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) Technical Expert and former Director of the Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute Dr Rakesh Kumar Jain spoke on technology-driven industrial development and entrepreneurship models suitable for the Northeast region. He stated that biomass and bio-waste resources available in Arunachal Pradesh could be effectively converted into wealth and livelihood opportunities.
RGU Registrar Dr N T Rikam highlighted the importance of Geographical Indication (GI) tagging of indigenous products and stressed scaling up handmade products and artefacts to global markets.
The seminar was chaired by IQAC Director Prof Utpal Bhattacharjee. The welcome address was delivered by Department of Computer Science and Engineering Head Ani Taggu, while DST-TEC Coordinator and seminar convener Dr Rahul Chandra Kushwaha explained the objectives and significance of the programme.
The seminar witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty members, research scholars, students, government officials and industry representatives. Discussions focused on bamboo and herbal industries, agro-based entrepreneurship, sustainable utilisation of natural resources, skill development and strengthening the start-up ecosystem.
The organisers stated that the seminar would contribute towards promoting entrepreneurship, rural employment and technology-driven development in Arunachal Pradesh and the Northeast region.
The programme concluded with technical sessions by experts, interactive discussions with participants and distribution of certificates.
