Entrepreneurship awareness programme on 'Empowering Rural Women and Youth' held at Laishoi village
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur, February 11 2026: An entrepreneurship awareness programme on "Empowering Rural Women and Youth with the MSME Ecosystem" was conducted at the Laishoi Village Community Hall in Moirang, aiming to strengthen grassroots entrepreneurship and bolster ongoing livelihood initiatives of the Eta Northeast Women's Network in 11 relief camps and Laishoi village.

The programme was organised by the MSME Technology Centre, in collaboration with Eta Northeast Women's Network.

The initiative sought to reinforce entrepreneurial activities already launched by Eta among residents of Laishoi relief camp and Laishoi village by linking beneficiaries with institutional support systems such as MSME, KVK Bishnupur, and NABARD.

Delivering the keynote address, Sophia Rajkumari, founder and chairperson of Eta Northeast Women's Network, highlighted the importance of structured guidance, skill development and institutional handholding in transforming rural entrepreneurs into sustainable business owners.

She noted that the initiative would help enhance and strengthen existing entrepreneurial efforts as well as nurture new ventures.

Biju Salmon, trustee of Eta Northeast Women's Network, emphasised the organisation's ongoing engagement with rural communities and stressed that collaboration with government bodies would further support entrepreneurship at the grassroots.

Dr Sinam Yoirentomba, deputy director of the MSME Technology Centre, introduced participants to the basics of entrepreneurship, motivation, and the role of micro, small and medium enterprises as key drivers of the national economy.

He also urged youth to shift their mindset from job seekers to job creators.

Technical sessions were conducted by experts from KVK Bishnupur, Dr KH Brajamani Meitei, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Bishnupur, spoke on fisheries-based business prospects.

Bandana Ningombam, Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) in Home Science, highlighted resource and demand based food processing enterprises, while Dr Sakhen Sorokhaibam, SMS in Agronomy, elaborated on agrobased business opportunities suited to rural communities.

The programme concluded with an interactive session, with organisers expressing hope that the initiative would strengthen entrepreneurial ecosystems at the grassroots and promote sustainable livelihoods among rural women and youth.

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