Empowering Ruralpreneurs: Meghalaya's Entrepreneurial Revolution

Meghalaya has significantly increased investment in entrepreneurship, growing from Rs 30 crore to over Rs 1,000 crore in self-help support. The RURALPRENEUR '25 event, launched by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, celebrates rural enterprises and aims to foster a strong entrepreneurial culture, encouraging perseverance among entrepreneurs.

Meghalaya's Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma, announced an impressive surge in government investment for entrepreneurs, soaring from pre-2018 figures of Rs 30 crore to a robust Rs 1,000 crore. The RURALPRENEUR '25 event, organized by PRIME Rural and the Meghalaya Basin Management Agency, was launched to bolster rural enterprises and strengthen the ecosystem.

Sangma reminisced about the state's entrepreneurship journey that commenced with the Chief Minister's Entrepreneurship Prize, aimed at encouraging budding talent with a monthly reward of Rs 1 lakh. He highlighted the necessity of nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship that embraces risk-taking and problem-solving beyond the confines of government employment.

The Chief Minister candidly shared his experiences as an entrepreneur in the 1990s, emphasizing the crucial role of encouragement and support. He urged entrepreneurs to persist against challenges, emphasizing that failure often stems from giving up rather than flawed ideas. Partnerships with entities like the SELCO Foundation, aiding in solarizing rural health centers, were also lauded during the event.

(With inputs from agencies.)