New Delhi, July, 2024.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Hon'ble Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India,visited the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD) campus today and interacted with the various other trainees and trainers under multiple programs.

He also visited a unique exhibition which was organised featuring products crafted by jail inmates and other successful entrepreneurs who have successfully completed EDP training under NIESBUD. These products prepared by the jail inmates were displayed during the ESDP programmes organized by the Institute at Lucknow and Varanasi Jail. These exhibits showcase the transformative impact of skill development and entrepreneurial training on inmates, reflecting NIESBUD's commitment to promote entrepreneurship and skill development across various sectors and demographics.

The Minister also had the honour of meeting ex-servicemen currently undergoing the Entrepreneurship Development Programme at NIESBUD under the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Ministry of Defence. Sponsored by the DGR, this initiative is specifically tailored for retiring Armed Forces personnel, aiming to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge and skills. The program is designed to ensure these veterans can generate a gainful livelihood post-retirement, whether through wage employment or self-employment. The Minister commended their dedication and resilience, recognizing the significant contributions they will continue to make to society in their new entrepreneurial roles.More than 3000 ex-servicemen have undergone EDP training at NIESBUD.

A group of Master Trainers from 19 districts of Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Haryana are also being trained at NIESBUD under the World Bank-funded SANKALP Scheme of the ministry. The focus is on their capacity building, and inducting them on incubation support, mentoring, and handholding. Shri Jayant Chaudhary also met these trainers, applauded their dedication and emphasized the importance of their roles in empowering people to take up entrepreneurship.

He further reviewed capacity building programme for Fair Price Shop (FPS) owners, designed in consultation with the Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD), this program provides FPS owners with a basic understanding of entrepreneurship and further explains various aspects such as credit sources, product marketing, digital marketing, ad global market trends.

In addition, the Hon'ble Minister of State revisited Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programmes in Fashion Designing and Beauty Therapy for underprivileged youth under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 at the Livelihood Business Incubation centre on campus.

Under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL), NIESBUD organizes the Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme targeting youth aged 18 to 29 years. The Hon’ble Minister met with both trainees and trainers involved in the program and motivated them to fully embrace the entrepreneurial mindset, explore the vast opportunities within the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and consider entrepreneurship as a viable and fulfilling career option.

Shri Jayant Chaudhary,Union Minister of State (I/C), Ministry of Skill Development, Government of India, said"Entrepreneurship is the cornerstone of a thriving economy and I acknowledge the work being done by NIESBUD in this space. By fostering innovation, creating jobs, and driving sustainable growth, entrepreneurs play a pivotal role in shaping the future. Our mission is to provide them with the necessary tools, support, and mentorship to succeed. Together, we can build a more prosperous and inclusive society," said Shri Chaudhary.

The Hon’ble Minister was accompanied by Ms. Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, MSDE and Director General, NIESBUD, Shri Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Consumer Affair, Maj Gen SBK Singh, DG Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), Shri Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary, Department of Food and Public, Shri Radha Ramana, GM, Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI and Shri Saransh Agrawal Chief of Staff, Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).and Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director, NIESBUD.

All these initiatives collectively underscore NIESBUD's dedication to empowering individuals through skill development and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and robust entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.