Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation for Economic and Social Prosperity
- Karbi Anglong, Assam, July 4th, 2025 :: Dhriiti – The Courage Within -

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Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation for Economic and Social Prosperity

A bold and hopeful youth initiative titled "Youth Engagement towards Financial Prosperity and Self-Actualization"—locally known as Riso Ejang—is gaining momentum in the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. Spearheaded by Dhriiti – The Courage Within, this initiative is equipping young people in remote tribal communities to lead change through entrepreneurship, leadership, and community-driven action.

Launched in July 2024, the project is currently working across 6 villages in Karbi Anglong, a region marked by low employment opportunities, limited access to higher education, and persistent underdevelopment. The central goal of Riso Ejang is to empower local youth (aged 18–35) to envision and work towards financially independent, socially conscious, and ecologically sustainable futures.

In its first year, 10 Entre Leaders—young men and women identified for their leadership and entrepreneurial potential—were selected and trained through a rigorous orientation process and a series of 4 residential training sessions. These sessions focused on entrepreneurship development, community mobilization, and socio-ecological awareness.

Each Entre Leader is actively engaging and mentoring youth in their own communities, reaching out to a total of over 70 youth so far. Together, they have formed youth groups, conducted learning sessions, and led discussions on financial independence, community issues, and climate-conscious action.

Key milestones of the first year include:

o 14+ major activities, including leadership training, exposure visits, public events and Social action taken up by the Entre Leaders and the Youth Leaders;
o The Entre Leaders have developed Enterprise ideas which adhere to the Financial, Social and Ecological (FSE) Framework and aims towards resilience.
o A visit to Mrittika, a clay-based women-led enterprise, offering first-hand experience of local sustainable business models;
o Skills training, such as tailoring and vermicomposting, aligned with youth aspirations;
o Public cultural events in Chokihola, Bornirja, Nambor and Resakhidi led by Entre Leaders on different issues with Socio- Ecological and cultural importance such as – Gender inequality; Climate Resilience; promotion and revival of Karbi cultural ethos and spark intergenerational dialogue; sports as entrepreneurial opportunity.
o Youth-led Social action programs on waste management, promotion of organic farming for a healthy and sustainable environment.
o First ever residential workshop in the remote villages of Karbi Anglong in a homestay started by a youth from Nilip Block named Hardward Hanse.

By embedding entrepreneurship within the social and ecological realities of the region, Riso Ejang is working not only to tackle unemployment, but to instill confidence, creativity, and leadership among Karbi youth. Community stakeholders including Village Councils, Student Unions, and local enterprises have also been actively involved, helping build a support ecosystem for youth-led action.

As the project moves forward, it aims to see the establishment of youth-led enterprises and at least 10 sustainable initiatives that contribute to the prosperity and wellbeing of the region. Riso Ejang is not just a project—it is a growing movement of young changemakers reclaiming their identity and shaping a future rooted in dignity, resilience, and local strength.

For media queries or partnership information, please contact:
Dhriiti – The Courage Within

Three Entre Leaders Story In short-
Maibising Hanse – Entre Leader from Chokihola, Nilip Block, Karbi Anglong
Maibising Hanse, a 27-year-old youth from Chokihola under Nilip Block, Karbi Anglong, is an emerging grassroots leader with a deep commitment to ecological sustainability. Having completed his 12th standard from his village, Maibising faced financial challenges and family health issues that prevented him from continuing his formal education.

In 2023, his journey took a significant turn when he became associated with Dhriiti – The Courage Within. Through this engagement, Maibising developed a strong sense of ecological stewardship and began to emerge as a community leader with a vision. He aspires to establish an eco-friendly disposable products unit using areca nut leaves, aiming to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while promoting environmental responsibility.

With Dhriiti’s support, Maibising attended a workshop on agro-ecology in Nepal, where he gained valuable insights into indigenous and sustainable farming techniques. He also represented the voice of Karbi Anglong's youth at a youth convention in Purulia, Kolkata, presenting the region's socio-ecological issues and potential solutions.

Maibising is now an active member of the Youth for Ecological Sustainability Network, India, and was recently elected as the President of the Karbi Students Association, Nilip Zone — a testament to his growing leadership and influence in both youth and environmental movements.

The Dream: A Sustainable Journey With Nature Of Nilip , Karbi Anglong

Hardward Hanse, a young tribal native of Karbi Anglong has beenharbouring a dream of bringing tourists/ humans/ Nature enthusiasts/Travellers of outside world close to the wanders of Nature in Karbi Anglong. This 26 years old youth hailing from Chokihola area of Karbi Anglong has pursued his education as Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology after his Higher Secondary in Dimapur.

But, his family condition compelled him to come back to Chokihola. However, He felt that his own village holds a lot of opportunities for him. He felt the importance of the nature he’s surrounded by and the possibilities it holds for him and his fellow youth of the village. Hence, he dreams to open an Eco- camp which promote sustainable living away from the hustle of city and modernity.

He also aspires to create more scope for local tourism in a hilly area like Karbi Anglong. He started his journey with Dhriiti as member of the first Cohort in the month of January 2025.

After being selected as an Entre Leader for Cohort 1, Hardward has stepped into the process of orientation where he learned to form connections with other participants, explore synergies and common passions with the potential to form future partnerships. The Orientation also helped him to do an analysis of available resources and open up for the participants a new world of transformative entrepreneurship for resilience. The beginning of this journey also motivated him to think critically and profoundly and make connection between vision of his personal life and the vision of Karbi Anglong.

Now he’s on his way to bring his dream into reality as part of the SPARK Journey. Taking a small step towards his dream, Hardward has hosted the very first event in his place- hosting Dhriiti’s first residential Workshop as hand in experience of starting up his own venture and the basics of it. His constant effort to promote his own culture and art is something which will inspire other youth of his region.

Case Story: Joshna Teronpi – Weaving a New Path in Koilamati

Joshna Teronpi, a 27-year-old young woman from Koilamati in Karbi Anglong, Assam, is emerging as a determined youth Entre Leader with a dream stitched in resilience. The youngest daughter in her family, Joshna has grown up shouldering the responsibilities of her aging and ailing parents. Despite the hardships, she managed to complete her graduation—an achievement won through perseverance and silent grit.

Inspired by her elder sisters, Joshna began stitching at home, gradually developing a deep interest in it. As she honed her skill, she realized a crucial gap in her own community—Koilamati had no stitching or tailoring centre. What seemed like a simple observation turned into a powerful entrepreneurial idea in her mind. She saw the potential to not only support herself but also create opportunities for other women and girls in the area.

In 2023, Joshna joined Dhriiti – The Courage Within and is currently undergoing a transformative leadership and entrepreneurial mindset development program. The shy young woman who had never stepped beyond her district boundaries soon found herself on a flight to Kolkata, her first ever, to attend a Youth Convening held in the Sundarbans Islands. There, she stood confidently among youth from across states like Jharkhand, Odisha, Manipur, and West Bengal—sharing the ground realities faced by the youth and children of Karbi Anglong.

With each step in her journey with Dhriiti, Joshna’s vision became clearer and her confidence stronger. Her idea of starting a weaving and stitching centre at Koilamati has now become the focus of her entrepreneurial journey. Recognizing her passion and commitment, she is currently part of the SPARK program—where she is receiving one-on-one mentorship to refine and implement her enterprise idea.

Joshna is presently upskilling herself in tailoring at a training centre in Diphu. Her goal is not just to earn a livelihood but to build a space for local women to gain skills, financial independence, and confidence. Through her journey, Joshna Teronpi is not just stitching fabrics—she is weaving dreams, dignity, and a future of hope for herself and her community.