Shillong, Aug 21: World Entrepreneurs’ Day was celebrated today at All Saints’ Hall, which was attended by entrepreneurs from across Meghalaya to share experiences and showcase their ventures under the PRIME Meghalaya initiative.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Rosetta Mary Kurbah in her speech praised PRIME’s role in mentoring entrepreneurs and urged them to collaborate and share their stories.
Larsing Ming Sawian, MD of Centre Point Group, highlighted the strong ecosystem of incubation, financial support, and platforms now available.
The event featured inspiring journeys, including 19-year-old Reuel Kharbudnah, developing eco-friendly building materials from plastic waste, and Dr. Lahunlang Sohliya, founder of PMR Center, who launched Northeast India’s first wheelchair-accessible vehicle and introduced HydroTherapy services.
Highlights included the launch of the PRIME Film, unveiling of the PRIME Photography Competition 2025 winners, a panel discussion on entrepreneurial opportunities, and a pop-up sale of food, handloom, and handicrafts.
So far, PRIME Meghalaya has supported over 6,000 beneficiaries, with 200+ entrepreneurs incubated.
Meanwhile, the St. Anthony’s College Centre for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Incubation (SACCEII) also marked the day with a series of activities that were aimed at inspiring and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit among college students.
The highlight of the celebration was the student entrepreneurs’ stalls, where young innovators showcased and sold a variety of food items, jewellery, bags, and crochet designs. By offering market access within the college campus, SACCEII has created a potent platform for students to pilot-test their ideas, convert them into saleable products, and gain valuable exposure. With the support of social media, many student entrepreneurs are also expanding their customer base and generating additional income.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Rajani Chhetri, Coordinator of SACCEII, stressed the importance of cultivating innovation and a problem-solving mindset within the college curriculum. She emphasized that entrepreneurship should be seamlessly integrated with academics to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.
The programme also featured a Founder Talk by Khrawborbha Kharpuri, founder of Chicken Wagon, who narrated his journey of building a successful business from a modest starting capital of Rs 25,000 to a venture worth over Rs 1 crore. Despite challenges, including the COVID-19 crisis, his enterprise has stayed rooted in local produce and farmers’ supply chains, while maintaining an eco-conscious approach. He underlined the importance of balancing academics with entrepreneurial ambitions and highlighted the role of team spirit as the unique strength that differentiates Chicken Wagon in the competitive market.
Adding intellectual energy to the event, a fiery inter-college debate was held on the motion “Is Meghalaya Ready to Nurture Tech Entrepreneurship?” Fourteen teams from various institutions in Shillong engaged in spirited discussions on the state’s preparedness for technology-driven ventures. Participants emphasized the need for stronger internet connectivity, robust curricula on AI, robotics, and technology at the school level, as well as supportive policies to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
At the end of the debate, Aryan Chetia and Astha Pradhan of St. Anthony’s College were declared winners, while Addiel J. Surong and Sneha Das of St. Edmund’s College emerged as runners-up. Aryan Chetia was also adjudged the Best Speaker of the competition.
SACCEII, a flagship initiative under PRIME, launched in 2022, has been consistently working to build and expand the entrepreneurial landscape in higher education. Through mentorship, funding opportunities, and incubation support, the Centre enables students to pursue their entrepreneurial visions while balancing academic commitments.
