Business idea contest for youths from villages adopted by Prez

A contest seeking ideas for start ups was organised today mainly for youths living in five villages adopted by President Pranab Mukherjee last year under the Centre's 'smart village' initiative.
The aim of the contest, which was inaugurated by Omita Paul, Secretary to the President, was to create awareness among youths of these villages and those from the neighbouring areas about various opportunities and facilities available for them to start their own venture.
Mukherjee has adopted five villages-- Alipur, Rojka Meo, Harchandpur and Taj Nagar, all in Gurugram district, and Dauhla in Nuh district -- in July 2016 with an aim to develop them into 'smart villages'.

Today's programme was organised by Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST), a non-government organisation.
"Under the 'Smart Gram' (smart village) initiative of Rashtrapati Bhavan, we have done a lot of work for these villages. We want to create entrepreneurs so that they will also help in development of the village and area," said Paul.
She said similar contest would be organised in more villages of the country.

"There are over 4,000 youths in these five villages, majority of whom are in armed forces whilst the remaining are either looking for regular jobs or having no direction on what to do and where to go," a release issued by the organiser said.

Any youth from disadvantaged class between 18 and 35 years of age can write their idea on a paper and drop it in the various drop-boxes installed in and around the city. The three best ideas would get cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively, it said.
"When people come to us through BYST, it adds more trust to their applications. We don't treat them differently, but we trust them little more as they will work hard and repay us," said Ved Prakash, Regional Manager of State Bank of India.