Leh: The Enterprising Ladakh initiative, a flagship programme of the Department of Higher Education, UT Administration of Ladakh, implemented in collaboration with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, has been conferred with the prestigious SKOCH Gold Award for its significant contribution towards promoting entrepreneurship and empowering the youth of Ladakh.
The award recognises the initiative’s impactful work in fostering an entrepreneurial culture, creating livelihood opportunities, and strengthening the local startup and business ecosystem in the Union Territory.
Since its inception, Enterprising Ladakh has achieved several milestones. The programme has engaged more than 1,300 youth through entrepreneurship awareness and capacity-building programmes. It has also supported over 200 enterprises in areas such as product development, branding, packaging, and marketing.
As part of its handholding support, the initiative has facilitated UDYAM registration for more than 175 entrepreneurs and enabled 54 enterprises to obtain FSSAI licences, thereby helping local businesses formalise and expand their operations.
Notably, the programme has witnessed an encouraging 68 per cent participation of women, highlighting its strong emphasis on economic inclusion and women-led entrepreneurship.
The initiative has also generated nearly ₹9 lakh in revenue for local entrepreneurs through exhibitions, trade fairs, and market linkage activities, providing them with opportunities to showcase and sell their products to wider markets.
A robust entrepreneurial ecosystem has been developed under the project through the establishment of entrepreneurship support centres in universities and colleges across Ladakh. The programme has particularly encouraged innovation and enterprise development in promising sectors such as tourism, handicrafts, food processing, renewable energy, and local products.
Speaking on the achievement, Bhanu Prabha (IAS), Secretary, Higher Education, UT Ladakh, said, “Enterprising Ladakh is transforming the mindset of youth by encouraging them to become job creators rather than job seekers. This recognition reflects the collective efforts made towards building an entrepreneurial culture in Ladakh.”
Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII Ahmedabad, expressed his appreciation and said, “I am delighted to witness the enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit among the youth of Ladakh. The success of this initiative demonstrates the immense potential that exists in the region.”
Echoing similar views, Dr. Amit Kumar Dwivedi, Director, Department of Government Projects, EDII, said, “The Enterprising Ladakh team is providing dedicated handholding support to aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, enabling them to convert their ideas into viable enterprises.”
The initiative aligns with the vision of the UT Administration of Ladakh to position the region as a hub of innovation, self-reliance, and sustainable entrepreneurship. With this recognition, Enterprising Ladakh is set to inspire even more youth to take up entrepreneurship as a pathway to economic growth and community development.
