Jammu: Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Jammu in collaboration with Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), National SC-ST Hub, Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce (DICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) inaugurated the Business Accelerator Program for the SC-ST entrepreneurs and wards (aspiring entrepreneurs at the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD), Noida on 15th May 2023.
The Chief Guest of the programme was Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, MSME Govt of India, and Guest of Honor Padma Shri Ravi Kumar Narra, President, DICCI. The event was presided over by Padmashri Dr. Milind. P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu, Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu. The event commenced with the lamp lighting ceremony followed by an address about the program by Dr. Mahesh Gadekar, Chairperson, Centre for Diversity and Inclusion, IIM Jammu.
Chief Guest, Ms. Mercy Epao, Joint Secretary, MSME, Govt. of India lauded the initiative by IIM Jammu, National SC-ST Hub, MSME, DICCI and CII. She emphasized that formal training in management concepts by IIM Jammu with access to best industry mentors, and capacity building interventions is sure to play pivotal role in the upliftment of marginalized sections of the society and thereby contributing to the nation building exercise.
Padma Shri Dr. Milind P. Kamble, Chairman, BoG, IIM Jammu mentioned that the program is designed to equip young SC-ST entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and support needed to grow and scale their business. This will in turn pave the way for creation of a holistic ecosystem for entrepreneurship across the nation.
Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu reiterated that the business accelerator program intends to promote entrepreneurship and creating more opportunities for small, and medium enterprises in the country. He stressed that this program would play a catalyst role in filling the skill gaps across the country & will contribute towards the development of “Job creators” in place of “Job seekers”.
Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu stated that this programme will act as an essential resource for aspiring entrepreneurs from the SC-ST and their wards and thereby paving the path for healthy ecosystem across the country.
The inaugural ceremony also featured addresses by Shri K.K. Sharma, General Manager-SG (NSSH), National Small Industries Corproration (NSIC), Ms. Rashmi Mansharamani, Chairperson, CII WUP HR & IR Focus Group and CHRO, Wave Group and Shri Sanjiv Dangi, Vice-President, DICCI. The vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Academics, IIM Jammu.
The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion at IIM Jammu aims to transform the lives of entrepreneurs from the SC & ST communities by offering them an avenue to realize their hopes and aspirations. The Centre for Diversity & Inclusion was set up to improve the lives of underprivileged communities of the society by offering them a safe environment to explore and understand the nuances of entrepreneurship. The program features assistance from National SC-ST Hub and scholarship by IIM Jammu. The inaugural ceremony ended on a positive note with the national anthem.
