Tura, Sept 1: Entrepreneurship has begun an upward journey in Meghalaya through the supportive initiatives of the Government of India and Meghalaya through the various schemes and encouragement of the start-up ecosystem. Prime-Hub has become a recognizable arm of the government that is working tirelessly to provide the optimal entrepreneurial ecosystem within the state with its active and incentivized outreach programs. At the same time, it is pertinent to highlight that a certain section of the community has not embraced the entrepreneurial journey – Persons with Disabilities.

In order to address this gap, Barefoot Trust in collaboration with Prime Meghalaya organized the 4th session of the Inc-Preneurship: Building an entrepreneurial ecosystem for persons with disabilities. This was conducted for 13 persons with disabilities in West Garo Hills on Thursday in the Incubation Centre, Prime Tura.

This initiative engages with persons with disabilities at the district level through grassroot interactions through active engagement to develop an understanding of their existing situation and the various ideas of entrepreneurship that they have envisaged. This would ideally take place with district-wise discussions and deliberations with persons with disability in a focus group ambience. We have completed similar programs in Ri-Bhoi, East Khasi Hills & West Jaintia Hills. The overall focus of the interactions dealt with issues of their motivation of becoming an entrepreneur, the current deterrents and the support required for their entrepreneurial dreams.

All the participants had an opportunity to present their Dream Entrepreneurial Idea to the Deputy Commissioner, Swapnil Tembe, who graced the event and encouraged the participants with ideas and his desire to be associated with their journey as entrepreneurs.

Managing Trustee, Barefoot Trust, Bibhudutta Sahu, welcomed the guests and emphasized the role of Barefoot Trust in providing end-to-end support for entrepreneurs that creates an eco-system conducive for them. He said he foresees a future where persons with disabilities are job providers and role models for the district and in turn for the state of Meghalaya.

Manager – Entrepreneurship Ecosystem Development, Prime Hub, Jeff Rani, was instrumental in highlighting the distinction between entrepreneurship and business. Program Coordinator, Barefoot Trust, Sweet Syiemiong, elaborated on the objectives and the outcomes of the program.

Darlingston Sangma, a person with visual impairment, spoke passionately about the current status of persons with disabilities and the prevailing barriers. Manager, Prime Tura, Bryan S. R. Marak, spoke about his own journey as a person with disability and the obstacles he faced during that journey. Sabina Koch, Incubation Associate, Prime Tura, provided a brief introduction about Prime Hub and the great strides it has made in the region with the diverse bouquet of assistance for the people of the state.

The interaction concluded with a reminder that an entrepreneur’s journey is long and challenging and that there are no short cuts to success.