The first “Thinking Social” seminar for the year 2016-17 was organised by Dibrugarh University and IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) in association with the Tata Group on September 26, 2016 at Indira Miri Conference Hall, Dibrugarh University. The speakers for the day long programme comprised eminent entrepreneurs and domain experts who have rich experience in the Social Entrepreneurship sector in India. A strong presence of about 90 participants from Dibrugarh University students from various academic domains marked the seminar. In the inaugural function, Mr Subhrangshu Sanyal – CEO, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park shared the history of IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and its focus on Social Entrepreneurship. He further highlighted the association with the Tata Group in organising seminars and roundtables throughout India which culminates in the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge, India’s biggest business plan competition on social entrepreneurship. IIM Calcutta Innovation Park intends to partner with Dibrugarh University to establish a Technology Business Incubation Centre in the campus and provide all possible support, he added.
Mr. Vivekanandan T of Tata Trust shared the vision of the Tata Group and stated about the initiatives taken up by the Tata Trust in Assam. He emphasised on the need to develop a sustainable business model and state that Tata Trust is always ready in promoting and nurturing these kinds of enterprises. Professor Alak Kumar Buragohain, Vice Chancellor, Dibrugarh University in his inaugural speech stated that Universities are the biggest social enterprises. He emphasised that it is a huge opportunity for the students to get the benefit from the seminar. He urged the participants that they should synergise and orient their thought process to benefit the weaker sections of the society. They should have the passion and commitment to do something good. He further added that the University is already having a Centre for Technology Innovation & Incubation started in 2013, an entrepreneurship cell and an IP cell. It is the time that these need to be taken to the next level. He welcomed the partnership with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park to set up a Technology Business Incubator at DU.
During the technical sessions social entrepreneurs of repute across India has addressed the participants. Sri Gaurav Kapoor of Innokul, Kolkata has highlighted the various societal challenges of India in healthcare, sanitation, education, etc. and how his organisation is developing models to help the weaker section of the society to overcome these problems. Dr. Durlov Baruah – founder of Kuhipaat Communications from Duliajan highlights about the problems that we are facing now like brain drain to the metro cities, poverty, social exclusion, lonely elders, woman trafficking and emphasizing on the need to develop social businesses. He emphasized the Economic polarisation of resources – all resources concentrated in the city which is a problem. According to him all operations need to be spread in smaller towns to get people motivated. Sri Manash Chaliha - founder of Organic Majuli, highlighted different aspects of starting a enterprise. Formation of legal entity, Brand Creation, Focus on the strengths of Assam, Create platform for villagers, Linkages with academia and industry were some of the issues where he pondered upon.
Ms. Jonali Saikia , founder of Heeya, Bangalore spoke about the weaving culture of Assam and the entire North East. She elaborated the Creation of 3Ps – Paisa, Product and Pride with Assamese weavers which is the idea behind Heeya – which means the heart. She spoke about the stories of women weavers in different districts of Assam and how her organization is providing them market and creating an identity for them. Finally she emphasized on creating Local opportunities and creating sustainable livelihood. Sri Chiranjeet Baruah an entrepreneur from Dibrugarh shared his experiences highlighting the journey, the challenges faced and the opportunities being captured by him in the process. Finally he tries to emphasize upon the development of these initiatives into a sustainable model.
The Q&A round has witnessed good participation from the audience. There were many significant issues discussed and addressed by the audience and the panelists. The seminar ended with a vote of thanks by Dr. Chimun Kr. Nath of Dibrugarh University.
