Odisha Puts Spotlight on Entrepreneurship, Minister Felicitates Successful Entrepreneurs

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Nurture Startups and Job Creators in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Sept 2025: Shri. Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister, Skill Development & Technical Education today felicitated successful entrepreneurs at a special programme held at the World Skill Center, Bhubaneswar. The event showcased the achievements of young entrepreneurs who have transformed their skills into enterprises, contributing to Odisha’s socio-economic progress.

Addressing the gathering, the Hon’ble Minister said, “Under the visionary leadership of Shri. Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Odisha has placed strong emphasis on skill development and entrepreneurship as twin pillars of socio-economic transformation. While skill development empowers our youth with employable capabilities, entrepreneurship enables them to become job creators. Both are central to building a Viksitand Samrudha Odisha.”

The Minister further highlighted the achievements of the Entrepreneurship Development Programme of the World Skill Center under which more than 10,000 entrepreneurs have been nurtured, with 70% being women. Over 1,000 enterprises have already been established with structured mentorship, credit support, and market facilitation.

On this occasion, Hon’ble Minister also extended seed funding support of ₹1 lakh each to selected beneficiaries under the Nano Unicorn Scheme, encouraging them to scale their businesses. The event further marked the launch of a Coffee Table Book, capturing 100 inspiring entrepreneurial stories from across the State.

Also present at the event were Ms. Rashmita Panda, Director, Skill Development & Employment-cum-CEO, World Skill Center, and Mr. Pinaki Pattnaik, COO, World Skill Center, along with other senior officials.