The Union Territory of Ladakh celebrated its first-ever National Mega Entrepreneurship Day with great enthusiasm and pride on November 9 in Leh. The event, an initiative of the Department of Higher Education, Administration of UT Ladakh, was implemented by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Gujarat.

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, lauded the young entrepreneurs of Ladakh for their creativity, determination, and contribution to the region’s economic growth, calling them the “torchbearers of a self-reliant Ladakh.”

Students from across the Union Territory—including remote areas such as Changthang and Drass—participated in the celebration, showcasing a vibrant range of locally inspired and skill-based products developed over the past four months. Exhibits included crochet crafts, eco-solar innovations, mushroom spa products, Drass pickles, graphic design works, bakery items, Kharnak embroideries, and Himalayan apple crisps, reflecting the ingenuity and entrepreneurial zeal of Ladakh’s youth.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General of EDII, extended a warm welcome to all participants and urged students to transform themselves from job seekers into job creators. He emphasized the importance of leveraging government schemes that promote entrepreneurship and youth empowerment, while integrating skill-based education with traditional knowledge to strengthen local livelihoods.

Rudra Goud, Administrative Secretary of Industries, elaborated on various MSME schemes that support small businesses through bank financing, design and research incentives, and export facilitation. He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to dream beyond limitations, expressing confidence that Ladakh could emerge as a “unicorn hub” in the coming years.

Bhanu Prabha, Administrative Secretary of Higher Education, highlighted the four-month entrepreneurial journey  that led to the event, noting that over 1,500 students participated and developed nearly 100 innovative products, which were launched publicly for the first time. She described the initiative as a milestone in Ladakh’s educational transformation, blending creativity with enterprise.

In his address, Lt. Governor Kavinder Gupta congratulated the students for their remarkable enthusiasm and innovation. He noted that Ladakh is among 22 states and UTs celebrating National Mega Entrepreneurship Day, and commended the region’s youth for embracing entrepreneurship despite challenging geographical and climatic conditions.

The Lt. Governor appreciated EDII’s role in empowering youth and women through innovation and training, underscoring the contributions of women’s self-help groups and tourism-based enterprises. He further highlighted the importance of eco-sustainability, digital integration, and e-commerce in shaping a resilient and modern economy for Ladakh.

He reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurial initiatives and encouraged the youth to “believe in their skills, innovate fearlessly, and contribute to building an Atmanirbhar Ladakh.”

Amit Kumar, Project Director, EDII, announced the successful registration of 150 entrepreneurs on the UDYAM portal, marking a significant achievement of the four-month startup program. He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders, mentors, and students for making the initiative a resounding success.