The newly formed Tribal India Commerce and Industry (TICCI), a body affiliated to FICCI, organised a seminar to sensitise tribals on opportunities available to them to be entrepreneurs. The seminar was held in association with National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and MSME Development Institute. Small Industry Development Bank of India (SIDB), Regional Industry Centre (RIC) and RSP also participated.

The aim was towards development of vendors amongst local tribal entrepreneurs in local and public sector units. “The TICCI has been formed only in the month of December, 2017, after I draw the inspiration from the Jharkhand body,” said president of TICCI Biraj Kullu, a local small scale entrepreneur. Kullu, who had been to participate in NSIC programme in Delhi had an eye opener regarding the chances available to tribal entrepreneurs. “And then it struck to my mind to start a platform with local small units’ owners and give them a wider ground to play,” said Kullu, who is an MBA graduate.

He held discussions with FICCI members and got the go ahead to form this body known as Odisha Chapter. “Today we have only 150 members and have started it in Sundergarh but soon we will spread to other parts of the state,” he said. Explaining his intent behind forming this body he said, “We have the talent but we do not know what to do and how to do.” Besides, he showed his keeness to work alongside other such bodies so that it would benefit all.

The representative from NSIC here BM Bipul Bag was optimistic that such a body would help all especially those wanting to take their business to the next level. “They should learn more about how big organisations work and what they want and this will help them immensely,” said the BM on the issue of vendor development. His voice was seconded by assistant director of MSME Sudhir Yadav. “MSME is looking forward to lend its helping hands to such activities for which we are here,” said Yadav.

RSP was represented by DK Mishra, DGM of Materials Management department. Mishra elaborated the qualitative requirement of the public sector giant and said, “This is certainly a big thing to happen and will definitely help the local entrepreneurs and especially amongst the tribal.” For the SIDBI, Assisstant general manager Girish Meher, the platform was a good opportunity for the tribal entrepreneurs to know more about government’s plans and proposals for them. There were over 120 participants form all across the district of Sundergarh, all of them being members of TICCI.