Future Entrepreneurs Trained at ITI Leh under Enterprising Ladakh Programme
Youth at ITI Leh Empowered with Entrepreneurial Skills through Enterprising Ladakh
Leh: With a vision to equip ITI youth with entrepreneurial skills, a Special Program on Enterprise Creation was successfully concluded at the Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Leh, UT Ladakh On September 13. The six-day training program commenced on Monday, 8 September, under the flagship initiative Enterprising Ladakh.
Enterprising Ladakh is an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh; Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal; and Secretary, Higher/Technical Education and Skill Development, Smt. Bhanu Prabha, IAS. The initiative has been envisioned by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, and Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director – Projects (Government), EDII, Ahmedabad.
Designed to empower youth through innovation and enterprise, the programme introduced participants to core concepts such as ideation, business planning, and financial literacy. Expert mentors, local entrepreneurs, subject specialists, and EDII faculty members facilitated interactive sessions and group activities throughout the training. Key topics included opportunity sensing, business model development, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), awareness of government schemes and handholding systems, and exploring funding avenues for budding enterprises.
Local entrepreneurs such as Mr. Tashi (Ladakh Herbs) and Mr. Stanzin (Silk Route Energy) shared their entrepreneurial journeys, inspiring participants with practical insights into starting and sustaining a business in Ladakh. Food Tech Expert Dr. Tenzin Chodden took a special session on business Opportunities in the Food and Hospitality Sector.
On the final day, participants formed groups and presented their business ideas using the Business Model Canvas. Notable presentations included:
Rustal Drinks – a seabuckthorn-based herbal beverage catering to health-conscious consumers, presented by a group led by Mr. Tswang Namgil.
Herbal Tea – high-quality natural tea for local residents and tourists, presented by Ms. Tsewang Chuskit.
Online Coaching and Tutoring Services – a platform to provide quality education support.
The program received strong support from ITI faculty members, including Superintendent Ms. Sonam Angchok, Instructor Mr. Ajaz Ahmed, and other staff. Major sessions were delivered by Dr. Diwakar Singh, Mr. Abhishake Nandan Mr. Rigzin Wangdus and Mr. Ravikant Bharti from EDII.
Over 70 Participants from different trades of ITI attended the session.
This initiative marks another milestone in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Ladakh, fostering self-reliance, and preparing the youth to become future job creators.
