Devbhoomi Entrepreneurship Scheme in Government Colleges and Universities under Higher Education Department is changing the picture of youth dreams. Through this scheme started on the initiative of the state government, entrepreneurship ecosystem is developing in higher educational institutions. Due to which business thinking of students is developing. So far 26247 students have registered themselves under the scheme, while after training 965 students have started earning profit by setting up their enterprises.
Keeping in view the provisions of the New Education Policy-2020, the state government started Devbhoomi Entrepreneurship Scheme in the higher educational institutions of the state in the year 2023. The purpose of which was to move the students studying in government colleges and universities forward in the direction of startup and entrepreneurship. Under the scheme, Devbhoomi Entrepreneurship Centers were established in 124 higher educational institutions, through which business thinking is being developed in the students and necessary skills related to business ideas and connecting to the market are being given to them. Apart from this, seed funding is also being done to the youth to start a business along with training. In the last two years, 26247 students have registered themselves under the scheme. Out of these, 14260 participated in two-day boot camps, while 8721 youth received training in 12-day entrepreneurship development programs. After receiving training, 965 students who wanted to write their own destiny established their own enterprises. Out of which 303 enterprises are earning huge profits. Not only this, there are 25 such products of these enterprises which are selling well on online platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and Meesho. Under the Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana, FSSAI licenses have been made for 60 food processing enterprises and more than 30 licenses are in the process of being made. While 8 enterprises have applied for trademark license. Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana in the state is succeeding in changing the nature of youth dreams, and is creating leadership skills and employment generation capability among the students.
Seed funding for new business ideas
Under the Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana, there is a provision of seed funding for 20 students every year for their business ideas. In which 20 students will be provided an amount of Rs 75,000 under the seat fund for their innovation based startup. Under the scheme, more than 1132 students have made their businesses based on enterprise.
Boot camps and EDPs are the basis of business
Under the scheme, 12-day Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDP) are being organized in each college, in which students are being taught the nuances of business thinking, enterprise management, marketing and financial planning. Apart from this, two-day boot camps are being organized to create awareness among students about startups and entrepreneurship. Where they present their ideas in front of experts and the best business ideas among these are selected for seed fund.
Story of Herbal Heart
Deepak Singh Negi of Chaukhutia (Almora) was given seed funding of Rs 75,000 under the scheme for his idea of making ready-to-drink juice from rhododendron, malta and other local fruits, along with support for packaging, branding and mentoring. Today, his firm ‘Herbal Heart’ has established itself as a successful enterprise and under this, he has also employed three other youths.
Statement
Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana is helping the youth of the state to become self-reliant. The result of the state government’s ‘From Education to Entrepreneurship’ initiative is that the youth are not becoming job seekers but job creators. This scheme has proved that if our youth get the right guidance, resources and opportunities, they can make their own identity at the global level. – Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, Higher Education Minister, Uttarakhand.