MSME takes entrepreneurship drive to Hanley, eyes homestays to boost local livelihoods

First-of-its-kind awareness programme in the Changthang village draws around 40 participants; youth and women encouraged to tap government schemes for self-employment

LEH: In a push to promote entrepreneurship and expand livelihood opportunities in remote areas of Ladakh, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised an Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme at Hanley village in the Changthang region, highlighting the potential of tourism-linked businesses, particularly homestays, alongside other self-employment ventures.

The one-day programme, organised by the MSME Development Nucleus Cell (MSME-DNC), Leh, aimed to familiarise unemployed youth, women and local residents with entrepreneurship opportunities and government support schemes that could help them establish their own enterprises.

The initiative assumes particular significance for Hanley, a remote village that has emerged as an important tourist destination, offering scope for local communities to benefit from tourism through homestays and other visitor-oriented services.

Addressing the participants, Amit Kumar Tamaria, Joint Director and Head of Office, MSME-DNC Leh, sensitised them about various schemes and initiatives of the Ministry and the support available to aspiring entrepreneurs as well as existing enterprises. He urged participants to make maximum use of these schemes and consider entrepreneurship as a sustainable means of livelihood.

Highlighting Hanley’s tourism potential, Tamaria emphasised the scope for setting up homestays, which could enable residents to generate income from tourism while creating opportunities for local employment.

Vinu Jee Koul, Assistant Director, MSME-DNC Leh, spoke about entrepreneurship development and the role of the MSME sector in generating employment, encouraging self-employment and contributing to economic growth in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Representatives from other departments also participated in the programme, offering insights into livelihood generation and enterprise development. They included Dorje Dolma, Instructor, Handicraft Department; Vilayat Ali, Block Investigator, District Industries Centre (DIC), Leh; and Phuntsog Amchok, Lead District Manager, Leh.

The programme provided an interactive platform for participants to learn about viable business opportunities, understand the assistance available under government schemes and explore ways to establish small enterprises in their locality.

According to the organisers, this was the first time the Ministry of MSME had conducted an Entrepreneurship Awareness Programme in such a remote location. Around 40 people attended the programme, with participants showing keen interest in availing themselves of MSME schemes.

The outreach initiative seeks to encourage entrepreneurship at the grassroots level and help residents of remote Changthang villages translate local opportunities into sustainable economic activities, strengthening livelihoods and contributing to the socioeconomic development of Ladakh.