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JAMMU: To create an enabling environment for transforming informal businesses into formal enterprises across identified locations, IIM Jammu, under the leadership of Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, partnered with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India, and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce (DICCI) to establish 22 Small Business Development Units (SBDUs) in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Under this project, the SBDUs will strengthen institutions to deliver quality initiatives for entrepreneurship development across identified locations. Dr. Mahesh Gadekar is the Chairperson of Small Business Development Units at IIM Jammu.
In a collaborative effort to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit among the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, a one-day Ideathon and workshop was organized at SBDU, Centre at Govt. Polytechnic for Women, Shakti Nagar, Jammu on 12th Sept 2024. The event saw enthusiastic participation from individuals representing various districts across Jammu.
The event marked the formal inauguration of the SBDU Jammu by Chief Guest Shri Om Prakash Bhagat, JKAS, Director, Skill Development, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir. The Guest of Honor on the occasion Shri Arun Kumar Manhas, JKAS, Director, Director, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of J&K. The Ideathon and workshop at SBDU at Govt. Polytechnic for Women, Shakti Nagar, Jammu saw enthusiastic participation from 60 individuals from domains of Bamboo art, Basoli Art collective, Fashion, Agripreneurship & Dairy.
Chief Guest Shri O. P. Bhagat, JKAS, Director Skill Development, Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir emphasized the future role of SBDUs in employment generation through the upcoming YUVA (Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyaan) plan, recently approved by the J&K Government. He highlighted the importance of effective marketing of these skills and the contribution of SBDUs toward promoting self-employment.
Guest of Honor, Shri Arun Kumar Manhas, JKAS, Director, Industries & Commerce, Govt. of J&K emphasized the significance of this initiative in empowering local entrepreneurs and fostering economic growth through structured support and resources.
Shri Suket Gupta, Principal of Government Women Polytechnic College Jammu, organized the Ideathon event in association with the IIM Jammu Incubation Centre (i-TBI). The Ideathon featured idea pitches from participants across the districts of Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Poonch, and Rajouri.
Dr. Vivek Sharma, Chief Innovation Officer, IIM Jammu discussed the history of SBDUs, and incubation support provided by the IIM Jammu Incubation Centre (DST-i-TBI) at the Jagti (Jammu) campus. Besides him, the pitches were judged by Dr. Ramswaroop Bhaskar, Shri Naren Karunakaran, Consultant, SBDU & Dr. Shahid Jibran, Project Manager - SBDU. Mr. Naren Karunakaran, Consultant, SBDU, IIM Jammu, discussed the importance of integrating sustainability into business ventures, urging entrepreneurs to build socially responsible businesses.
Besides him, the pitches were judged by Dr. Ramswaroop Bhaskar, Shri Naren Karunakaran, Consultant, SBDU & Dr. Shahid Jibran, Project Manager - SBDU. The audience were apprised of some innovative ideas from domains of Bamboo art, Basoli Art collective, Fashion, Agripreneurship & Dairy.
SBDUs, established by IIM Jammu across all districts of Jammu and Kashmir, aim to provide a platform for young entrepreneurs and innovators to refine their business ideas and address real-world problems. The event saw enthusiastic participation from across the present districts and the presence of principals & staff from various technical colleges.
During the valedictory session, Shri Vaibhav of Travel dost, a successful tourism entrepreneur from Jammu, shared his journey and discussed the challenges and opportunities in J&K and the way to grow successful businesses.
Throughout the Ideathon, the IIM Jammu incubator team provided crucial guidance on grants, seed funds, and mentor connectivity, equipping participants with actionable insights essential for securing funding and mentorship—key factors for startup success. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof Seema Pandita., Govt Polytechnic Jammu.
The event provided a unique platform for participants to showcase their ideas, receive expert feedback, and explore opportunities for further capacity building and business incubation. The Capacity Building Program on Small Business Development Units by IIM Jammu sets the stage for transformative growth, empowering aspiring and existing entrepreneurs to realize their dreams and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation.
