Shillong, July 19: Roshni Kharshiing, Reuel Kharbudnah and Ailashisha Khymdeit are examples of Meghalaya’s rising presence in the innovation and enterprise landscape.
While Roshni Kharshiing is building her brand Rush—a line of chemical-free local fruit sodas inspired by the region’s rich natural produce, Ailashisha Khymdeit, through her brand Dienjat, is reviving naturally dyed Ryndia (Eri silk) textiles. Reuel Kharbudnah is transforming plastic waste into eco-friendly construction materials—pavers, tiles, and blocks—combining sustainability. And there could be many more.
Their journeys reflect a broader transformation underway in the state, where skilled youth, local entrepreneurs, and traditional artisans are emerging as key drivers of grassroots development.
Skilled youth, local entrepreneurs, and traditional artisans are emerging as vital contributors to the state’s growing economy. As the Skill India Mission completes a decade in 2025, Meghalaya is increasingly standing out among the Northeastern states for translating government-backed schemes into tangible success stories on the ground.
Over the past ten years, hundreds across the state have received training, mentorship, and enterprise support through initiatives led by the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE)—an autonomous body under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE). From fruit-based beverages and textile revival to plastic recycling and grooming services, the outcomes of these programmes are now visible across both urban and rural Meghalaya.
To mark this milestone, IIE has spotlighted its achievements in the state through its Jan Bhagidari outreach, highlighting the journeys of promising entrepreneurs it has nurtured. These initiatives are implemented through flagship national programmes such as the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), SFURTI, SVEP, and the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY), in collaboration with the Meghalaya government and grassroots organisations.
Roshni Kharshiing, Reuel Kharbudnah and Ailashisha Khymdeit were selected among the top 145 startups from a pool of 993 proposals across the Northeast and are currently incubated under IIE’s mentorship. Their work reflects Meghalaya’s rising presence in the region’s innovation and enterprise landscape.
The mission’s reach extends deep into rural communities. In Mawphlang, Smt. Pyntip Thabah used IIE’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) to access Community Enterprise Funds and secure a credit-linked bank loan to scale her food processing business, RIMAN. With support from the Meghalaya State Rural Livelihoods Society (MSRLS), she has formalised her enterprise and expanded production.
Similarly, Macdonald Marwein, trained under PMKVY 4.0 through the Directorate of Employment & Craftsmen Training (DECT), has launched Donald The Barber—a thriving grooming outlet that now serves his local neighbourhood.
At the heart of these success stories lies IIE’s approach: identifying potential, offering mentorship, connecting entrepreneurs to markets and financial institutions, and supporting them during the critical early stages of their journey. The institute has also collaborated with institutions such as NEHU, Kiang Nangbah College, Tura Government College, and Ri Bhoi College to establish incubation and enterprise development centres, fostering long-term skill-building.
“The goal is not just to create jobs, but to spark entrepreneurship,” says Arti Lyngdoh, State Coordinator of IIE in Meghalaya. She believes that the past decade has laid the groundwork for a resilient, locally driven economy. “The next phase is about helping these changemakers grow, sustain their businesses, and reach more communities across the state,” she adds.
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