By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Startup Yatra organized an insightful bootcamp today at Ramadevi Women’s University, attracting an impressive turnout of over 250 students. The event offered a valuable opportunity for female students to enrich their knowledge about the startup ecosystem, gain diverse perspectives, and present their innovative ideas to industry experts.
Women have been central to the vision of CM Naveen Patnaik in nurturing the startup ecosystem in the state. His goal was to have at least 33% of startups led by women, but with focused efforts, we now have 41% of startups led by women.
This session was graced by the esteemed presence of Chief Guest, Dr. Omkar Rai, Executive Chairman of Startup Odisha, and Prof. Aparajita Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ramadevi Women’s University.
Dr. Omkar Rai expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’m encouraged by the positive response we’ve received. This event encourages a culture of ideation, and I’m confident that some of these ideas will evolve into successful startups.” He also emphasized the significant contributions made by women-led startups in various sectors of the economy, including food processing, handicrafts, and handloom which will only continue to grow. He further added, “With several van camps and bootcamps organized in schools and colleges across the state, we are optimistic that by the end, we will have generated 5,000 new ideas.”
Prof. Aparajita Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ramadevi Women’s University, added, “At this juncture, the Startup Odisha initiative is a boon for today’s youth. It plays a pivotal role in shaping the startup and innovation ecosystem in the state, and the Startup Yatra stands out as one of its flagship initiatives.” She expressed her confidence in the potential of the Ramadevi students, saying, “I’m quite confident that some of our Ramadevi students may see their dreams of ideation come to fruition. Through this yatra, we will witness the most appropriate ways for promoting self-reliance among women. Each individual woman can become self-reliant, and the day when our country achieves self-reliance is not far.”
The participation of female students in the Odisha Startup Yatra and Startup Xpress underscores the crucial role that women play in driving innovation and entrepreneurship. Their active involvement not only empowers them but also contributes to the overall diversity and inclusivity of the startup ecosystem, fostering a more vibrant and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape in the state.
As the campaign moves into its final phase, multiple bootcamps are scheduled at various educational institutions, promising to set new records in generating innovative ideas. This initiative is on the verge of setting a pioneering precedent by actively involving the student community in the state’s development process and nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit.
Launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Patnaik, on 11th September 2023, the journey is nearing its two-month mark and has reached prestigious institutions throughout the state. During this time, the Van Camps and Bootcamps have successfully engaged with approximately 250 plus institutions, including over 200 plus colleges and more than 50 plus schools, attracting the participation of over 33,000 students and generating more than 3700 innovative ideas. As we approach the culmination of this exceptional initiative, we anticipate a surge in innovative ideas from students, showcasing their unwavering commitment to driving their community’s growth and embracing entrepreneurship as their undeniable passion.
On the 37th day of the Yatra, in addition to the bootcamp at Ramadevi Women’s University, three other bootcamps were scheduled at OUTR, Bhubaneswar, ITI Berhampur, and Govt. Upgraded High School, MV15, Malkangiri. The palpable excitement and enthusiasm displayed by the student community during their passionate pitches underscore the success of this initiative.
The primary objective of Startup Odisha Yatra and Startup Xpress 2023 is to foster grassroots innovation and promote entrepreneurship among students, establishing the foundation for creativity and enterprise within the state.
Other notable figures present at the occasion include Prof. Chandi Charan Rath, CPGC, Ramadevi Women’s University, Mr. Durga Prasad Gouda, COO-AIC NITF, Mrs. Sony Samal, Founder of 72 DPI Skills, and Rasmi Ranjan Sahoo, Senior Mission Associate at Startup Odisha.
