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Date: 13th April 2007 Report: Mr.N.Krishnan, Steering Committee Chairman, BYST welcomed the gathering, especially the Chief Guest, Ms.Archana Patnaik I.A.S, Additional Collector, Kancheepuram. He then said that the Best Business Idea Contest was organised for the Youth affected by Tsunami in the coastal villages of Kancheepuram District namely, Kovalam, Semmencherry, Uyalikuppam, Pudupattinam, Nemmeli, & Panayurkuppam. The main objective of the contest was basically to make the youth in the Tsunami affected areas to think of Entrepreneurship as an alternative option to their livelihood. He added that there was an overwhelming response. Around 250 contestants competed with each other to win the contest.
Speaking at the award function, Mr T L Viswanathan, Strategic Committee, Chairman said that The Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (BYST) is the first organization to replicate the Prince’s Trust Youth Business model successfully outside the UK. It is supported by Corporate Leaders like American Insurance Group (AIG), BAJAJ, DIAGEO, GODREJ, TATA, The Keep Walking Fund and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII). He added that at the National Level BYST has supported 1200 ventures which have created employment t0 another 10,000. He also added that 5% of the BYST entrepreneurs are millionaires and the current success rate is 95%. Ms.S J Jayashree, Head-Centralized Operations, Standard Chartered Bank presented the cheques to the winners and in her address to the participants said that Standard Chartered Bank which has its presence in 31 cities in the country has involved in various community development projects. The tsunami rehabilitation was one of the initiatives that the Bank participated in India. In the past, the Bank has contributed to the Gujarat Earthquake and the Latur Earthquake in Maharashtra. We had seven projects as part of the tsunami rehabilitation which we conducted with 7 NGO partners. BYST’s Business Idea Contest was one of them. We are happy to note the response that we have had for this initiative which is helping build the entrepreneurship in the country.
Chief Guest Ms.Archana Patnaik I.A.S, Additional Collector, Kancheepuram District gave away the certificates to the winners and in her special address said that she was very happy to be there to encourage the young men and women to take up entrepreneurship as an carrier option. She said that running a business is not that easy and it is precisely this is where the unique feature of BYST, “Mentoring “would be very useful. She also said that while the Government is very much interested in encouraging entrepreneurship, the initiatives of BYST and SCB towards this goal must be appreciated. Mr A.Shanmugavelyuthan, President, TANSTIA, in his talk stressed the importance of Small and Medium enterprises and the need to protect the interests of these enterprises. He added that it is very important to strengthen the small business units as the growth of the Indian economy depends on the success of these units Following this Ms.Naagaratina, President, FIIWES, addressed the group. She encouraged the youth to start their own unit. She said there are many innovative business opportunites available which can give one huge profit and the youngsters should take proper guidance before starting a business. Mr.Kunjithapatham, BYST mentor in his Vote of Thanks, thanked each and every one and extended a special appreciation to the award winners. There was an exhibition put up by the BYST entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs proudly displayed their handiworks and keenly explained to the visitors. The programme was well appreciated by the participants and they requested for more such programmes in future.
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