ZIRO, AUG 20:
A homemade traditional Thekua brand, ‘Bihar Bites’, conceptualised and developed by Rohit Kumar Rajak, a third-year BBA student of the Department of Commerce and Management at IGTAMSU Ziro, was launched at a programme organised by the department on Thursday.
The entrepreneurial venture originated at the IGTAMSU Youth Carnival 2026, organised in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Commerce Ziro in May, where Rohit’s business idea won the Business Idea Pitch Competition. The recognition provided him an opportunity to further develop and turn his concept into a marketable product.
IGTAMSU Vice Chancellor Prof (Dr) K Satya Lakshmi attended the programme as chief guest, while Trade Development Officer for Lower Subansiri and Keyi Panyor districts Tai Arun was the guest of honour.
IGTAMSU Registrar Dr Prashant Roy, Department of Commerce and Management Head Anwar Hussain, Ziro Press Club president Tailyang Pugang, faculty members and students were also present.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. In his welcome address, Dr Prashant Roy appreciated Rohit’s initiative and noted that Thekua, a traditional delicacy of Bihar associated largely with Chhath Puja and traditionally available only in limited regions, would now be available throughout the year in Ziro through the student’s venture.
He advised Rohit to maintain consistent product quality, stressing that quality would be crucial to the brand’s marketability and sustainability.
Rohit presented a PowerPoint presentation outlining the origin of the idea, challenges faced during product development and the process leading to its launch. He thanked IGTAMSU faculty members and Tai Arun for their guidance and support, particularly in completing licensing and other formalities for the venture.
Addressing the gathering, Arun congratulated Rohit and the Department of Commerce and Management for encouraging student entrepreneurship. He highlighted Central and state government initiatives aimed at promoting ease of doing business, innovation and entrepreneurship, including Startup India, Invest India, the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) and the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP).
He encouraged Rohit and his team to participate in the forthcoming APEDP and assured them of assistance and guidance. He also suggested that IGTAMSU collaborate with APIIP to establish an incubation centre and explore funding support for student entrepreneurs. He said he would write to the CEO of APIIP recommending IGTAMSU Ziro for such support.
Prof (Dr) K Satya Lakshmi appreciated Rohit’s initiative and courage in transforming an idea into a marketable product. She said education and knowledge should ultimately contribute to making human life easier and better and encouraged more students to develop entrepreneurial skills.
She also suggested exploring ways to combine the traditional flavours of Ziro Valley with Bihar Bites, enabling consumers from outside the region to experience the valley’s culinary heritage. Describing entrepreneurship and innovation as having a positive ripple effect, she said, “Such good initiatives are infectious, so let it infect all young minds around us.”
Department Head Anwar Hussain lauded Rohit’s initiative and encouraged students to cultivate an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset. He said IGTAMSU students possessed talent, ideas and the courage needed to pursue such ventures and urged them to ask meaningful and innovative questions that could benefit society.
As a gesture of encouragement, guests, faculty members and students purchased the newly launched Bihar Bites Thekua products.
The launch marks an encouraging example of student-led entrepreneurship and traditional food innovation, demonstrating how academic institutions can help young people transform ideas into viable enterprises.
