LAST YEAR, I visited the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) in Gauhati to see some of the unique products being manufactured by their protégés.The institute conducts short term workshops for representative members of self-help groups, in partnership with the National Alliance Mission.
Their basic aim is to develop self-employment through entrepreneurship, and to give guidance and support to the budding entrepreneur on an ongoing basis, till such time that she/he feels confident about working on their own.
The institute also mentors established entrepreneurs, giving them access to an extensive library in the premises and tendering any other kind of help required. I had the opportunity to meet a successful woman entrepreneur, Ms Binapani Talukdar, who along with Ms Renu Chowdhury and Ms. Chandrapava Talukdar has set up the All Assam Women’s Welfare Society, in October 2000. The society has a vocational....
