Inspiring Journey of Dantewada’s Youth Towards Self-Reliance

IIM’s Entrepreneurship Training Transforms Lives

Raipur : A new ray of hope is illuminating the lives of the youth from Dantewada, who once struggled amidst challenges and limited opportunities. This transformation has been made possible through a unique and groundbreaking initiative led by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Raipur, the Dantewada District Administration, and the Government of Chhattisgarh.

On 13 June 2025, the Entrepreneurship Certificate Program Batch-2 at IIM Raipur concluded—not merely with the distribution of certificates but with the empowerment of dreams. This two-month residential program provided 50 selected youth from Dantewada with in-depth training on various dimensions of entrepreneurship, business development, and innovation.

These young individuals, who once lived amidst instability and scarce opportunities, are now envisioning clear paths for their entrepreneurial dreams. Rakesh Yadav from Dantewada, a program graduate, shared that the training taught him how even forest products like mahua and tamarind could become the foundation for livelihood. “Now I don’t just dream—I am working towards making those dreams a reality,” he said. Similarly, participants like Abhishek Gupta from Kirandul, Tejaswi Kumar from Bijapur, and Neelam Pandey expressed that the IIM training had become a turning point in their lives.

Shilpa Kumari from Bacheli highlighted that the program not only taught them how to start a business but also helped them understand how to utilize their region’s natural wealth for self-reliance. Once burdened by a lack of resources, these youth are now filled with confidence and vision, thanks to the entrepreneurial training they received.

The Dantewada District Administration, under the leadership of Collector Shri Kunal Dudawat, played a pivotal role in the success of this initiative. His vision and continuous guidance were instrumental in turning this dream into reality. The administration not only identified the deserving youth but also ensured they were given the opportunity to train at a premier institute like IIM Raipur, proving that a change in mindset can indeed bring a change in circumstances.

This initiative stands as a powerful testament to how collaboration between academia, administration, and community can lead to lasting transformation and empower the next generation to take charge of their futures.