DIC Advisor, Hekani Jakhalu with officials and Awardees at the Entrepreneur Award 2025 at Kohima on July 1. (DIPR Photo)
Kohima, July 1 (MExN): Eight entrepreneurs from across Nagaland were honoured with the State Entrepreneur Award 2025 at a ceremony organised by the Department of Industries & Commerce (DIC) on July 1 in Kohima, in recognition of their contributions to entrepreneurship and enterprise development in the state.
The awardees were selected by the State Selection Committee following an evaluation of applications received from across Nagaland.
Those honoured were Pisala Sangtam, founder of Forever Handmade 21, Kiphire; S Khumo, proprietor of Art & Craft Unit, Noklak; Liyingbeni Odyuo, founder of Liying Clothing, Dimapur; Vitoli Achumi, proprietor of Aasuto Enterprise, Dimapur; Imtisunup Longchar, founder of Ilandlo Services, Dimapur; Ajung Yaden and Atem Longkumer, founders of TRIBOLT, Dimapur; Supongtola Aier, proprietor of Zonee Food Products, Dimapur; and Alem Konyak, founder of Beads Jewellery, Mon Town.
Addressing the programme, DIC Director P Tokugha Sema congratulated the awardees, describing them as entrepreneurs whose achievements reflected hard work, dedication and perseverance.
He said entrepreneurship is a long and demanding journey requiring sustained commitment, adding that long-term success is built through years of effort and sacrifice.
DIC Advisor Hekani Jakhalu commended the entrepreneurs for contributing to Nagaland's economy through enterprise development and job creation. She said the awards were intended not only to recognise their achievements but also to encourage them to expand their businesses at the state, national and global levels.
Highlighting the department's initiatives under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme, Jakhalu said outreach activities, including village-level workshops, have been conducted across the state to promote entrepreneurship. She informed that 750 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been identified for a six-month mentoring programme to help them scale up, particularly under the Naturally Nagaland initiative, which promotes Made-in-Nagaland products.
She also urged entrepreneurs to avoid the "founder's trap" by building systems, delegating responsibilities and investing in continuous learning and networking to enable sustainable business growth.
Jakhalu further acknowledged the support of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in strengthening MSMEs and local enterprises, stating that entrepreneurs would play a key role in shaping the state's future economic development.
In his closing remarks, DIC Joint Director K Francis Hekavi said the awards marked the beginning of a larger journey rather than its culmination. He encouraged the entrepreneurs to continue supporting local businesses and serve as catalysts for enterprise development and economic growth in Nagaland.
List of Awardees:
1. Pisala Sangtam, founder of Forever Handmade 21, Kiphire
2. S. Khumo, proprietor of Art & Craft Unit, Noklak
3. Liyingbeni Odyuo, founder of Liying Clothing, Dimapur
4. Vitoli Achumi, proprietor of Aasuto Enterprise, Dimapur
5. Imtisunup Longchar, founder of Ilandlo Services, Dimapur
6. Ajung Yaden and Atem Longkumer, founders of TRIBOLT, Dimapur
7. Supongtola Aier, proprietor of Zonee Food Products, Dimapur
8. Alem Konyak, founder of Beads Jewellery, Mon Town.
