Tage Rita On Rise Of Women Entrepreneurs In Arunachal Pradesh

PM Narendra Modi's Act East Policy was the first step towards uplifting the Northeast with a rare visionary zeal. Ten years later, the results are all too visible. A new book Modi’s Northeast Story (Rupa) by Tuhin A. Sinha and Aditya Pittie documents the transformation of India’s northeastern states. 

The book, with a foreword from J.P. Nadda, President, Bharatiya Janata Party and contributions from those who have been at the forefront of ushering in this change or have witnessed it unfolding from very close quarters, including Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma; Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu; Union Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju; Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways, and Civil Aviation General V.K. Singh (Retd); Members of Parliament S. Phangnon Konyak and Tejasvi Surya; author and anthropologist Rami Desai; Lairenjam Niranjan Singh; Tage Rita; among others is just out.

Tuhin A. Sinha is a best-selling author, columnist, and politician. Aditya Pittie is an experienced entrepreneur and angel investor.

Here is an extract from an essay The Entrepreneurial Push in the book by Tage Rita 

A Fertile Ground for Entrepreneurship

The Northeast region has always held enormous promise for business operations. However, for a long time, the business environment in the eight states presented significant challenges. Geographic isolation, inadequate infrastructure, financial burdens, limited access to markets, red tape and a generally difficult business climate made it tough to establish and scale a business. Fortunately, in recent years, the government has recognized the need to address these barriers and has made significant efforts to create a more supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs.

One of the most noticeable enhancements has been the simplification of registration and licensing procedures. Previously, entrepreneurs faced various regulatory roadblocks and time-consuming paperwork that frequently hampered their ability to turn their ideas into profitable enterprises. However, because of the government’s efforts, the process is now much easier and efficient. The development of online registration methods and the establishment of dedicated one-stop centres have transformed the way businesses are registered. We can now complete the necessary formalities with ease, saving valuable time and effort that can be channelled towards other critical aspects of our entrepreneurial ventures.

I am particularly proud of the government’s focus on women entrepreneurs in Arunachal Pradesh. They understand the potential and importance of women-led businesses in driving economic growth and social empowerment. As a result, they offer special subsidies and incentives to women entrepreneurs, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for us to thrive.

Furthermore, the government has also addressed the financial challenges faced by entrepreneurs by collaborating with financial institutions to launch schemes and programmes that provide easy access to finance. Collateral-free loans and venture capital funds have become available, alleviating the burden of raising capital and encouraging entrepreneurs to take calculated risks. The government of India has launched various initiatives to tackle these challenges. Some examples include the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-Up India scheme, and Startup India scheme. These programmes provide financial assistance, mentorship and support to entrepreneurs. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve digital literacy and connectivity through the ‘Digital North East Vision 2022’ initiative.

Ease of Doing Business in Arunachal Pradesh

In Arunachal Pradesh, the government under Chief Minister (CM) Pema Khandu has implemented initiatives like the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) scheme, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) and programmes focussed on empowering women entrepreneurs. These efforts have fostered a conducive environment for entrepreneurship in the state. The MSME scheme provides financial assistance, including loans and subsidies to entrepreneurs. The DDU-GKY scheme offers skill development and employment opportunities to rural youth.

Our dynamic leaders such as CM Pema Khandu and Deputy CM Chowna Mein are active advocates in encouraging local entrepreneurs.

Recognizing the state’s potential to drive economic growth and uplift the living standards of the people, CM Khandu initiated the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP) recently, in a bid to foster an inclusive and thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state. This visionary programme aims to address local challenges and uplift the living standards of the people of Arunachal Pradesh by nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs and equipping them with the resources needed to achieve remarkable success. The APEDP holds the potential to revolutionize the entrepreneurial landscape of the region by inspiring transformation and fostering economic growth.

Additionally, programmes such as the Women Entrepreneurship Development Programme (WEDP), the Women Self Help Group (SHG) scheme and Mahila E-Haat have provided training, credit access, marketing platforms and other forms of support for women-led enterprises. The government has recognized the importance of women’s empowerment through SHGs. These groups enable women to come together, pool their resources and engage in income-generating activities. The state government provides financial assistance, training and access to markets for SHGs.

Furthermore, the government provides subsidies and financial assistance to women entrepreneurs to encourage their participation in business activities. These subsidies can be in the form of reduced interest rates on loans, tax exemptions or grants for setting up businesses. The Government e Marketplace (GeM) is another platform that facilitates online procurement of goods and services by government departments. It provides a transparent and efficient procurement process, enabling entrepreneurs, including women entrepreneurs, to participate in government tenders and contracts. 

Government’s Impact on My Entrepreneurial Venture

Personally, for my venture, the introduction of the State Wine Policy in 2015 has enabled me to carry forward my vision and set up a commercial winery in the basement of my home in Hong village, Ziro Valley.

In addition, with the support extended by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, we have been able to exhibit internationally in places like Shanghai and Greece, among others. Also, support from the Ministry of Agriculture and North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has facilitated our growth.

Over the years, I’ve also been honoured with various accolades and awards from various private and government institutions. Some of my cherished accomplishments include the prestigious Naari Shakti Puraskar 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, becoming an alumnus of the 2022 Fortune - U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership and being able to secure a funding deal at the national platform in Shark Tank India Season 2, among others.

 Extract carried with due permission from the authors and the publisher Rupa Publications