Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das organised the Namaste Startups event to improve the ecosystem for entrepreneurs in the state and cut youth unemployment.
The Namaste Startups programme was inaugurated by Governor Droupadi Murmu, who praised the organisers and participants.
"The need of the hour is to promote these start ups and help youths not only to get self employed, but also provide jobs to others," Murmu said.
"Jharkhand is buzzing with a new entrepreneurial energy, led by enterprising youth you are changing the face of the state with the power of innovation and resourcefulness," the state government said in a statement.
The push for entrepreneurship comes as official records show a clear decline in Naxalite violence in Jharkhand where the rebel movement has been active for over four decades since 1966.
"We don't want to remember the past. We want to look forward, come up with good products and compete in the market," said Sumi Hembrom, a young entrepreneur who manufactures cotton sarees and sells them in the weekly market near Kanthikund village in Dumka.
The startup campaign in Jharkhand has been welcomed by Punjab National Bank and State Industry Director K. Ravi Kumar.
"We are committed to offer them help in accordance with the state government’s guidelines," said Kumar.
BW Reporters
The author is Senior Correspondent with BW Businessworld