KOLKATA : Twenty-one LGBTQ+ youth from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and West Bengal successfully completed a five-day intensive training programme on food production and bakery at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Taratala Kolkata.
Organised jointly by IHM Kolkata under the Ministry of Tourism and Kolkata-based non-profit organisation Bridge India, the programme was held from June 8 to 12 with the objective of enhancing livelihood opportunities and entrepreneurial skills among LGBTQ+ food business micro-entrepreneurs.
The participants, comprising both aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, received hands-on training in food production and bakery, along with sessions on food hygiene and safety, food standards, kitchen management, food ethics and entrepreneurship. The programme also included an exposure visit to ITC Royal Bengal Kolkata and a session on entrepreneurial awareness and business idea validation conducted by experts from Tata Strive.
The initiative provided participants from eastern and northeastern India, including several from remote regions, an opportunity to acquire industry-relevant skills, refine business ideas and build professional networks to support their future careers and entrepreneurial ventures.
Four members of AP QueerStation from Arunachal Pradesh, representing Kra Daadi, Papum Pare and East Kameng districts, participated in the training. The organisation expressed gratitude to Bridge India and IHM Kolkata for facilitating the programme and hoped that more LGBTQIA+ individuals from the state would benefit from similar initiatives in the future.
All participants were awarded certificates during the valedictory function on June 12. Among those present were IHM Kolkata Principal Raja Sadhukhan, Ministry of Tourism Regional Director (East) Pranav Prakash, The Lalit Great Eastern Kolkata Rooms Division Manager Riaz Rizvi, Bridge India Founder Director Prithviraj Nath, Rainbow Room Kolkata Co-Founder Mahua Seth and Supreme Tours and Travels Founder Koushik Banerjee, along with faculty members and officials of IHM Kolkata.
Speaking on the occasion, IHM Kolkata Principal Raja Sadhukhan said the institute remains committed to creating opportunities for the LGBTQ+ community through skill development, employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. He expressed hope that participants would carry their learning back to their communities and inspire others.
Bridge India Founder Director Prithviraj Nath said the programme had enabled marginalised LGBTQ+ youth from remote parts of eastern and northeastern India to strengthen their skills and pursue dignified livelihood opportunities. He also expressed gratitude to IHM Kolkata for supporting the initiative.
Rainbow Room Kolkata Co-Founder Mahua Seth described the collaboration as an encouraging example of how institutions can work together to create meaningful opportunities and contribute towards a more inclusive and equitable future for marginalised communities.
