Page 4 - EDII Report 131

Awards Galore... The EDII-Goa Centre Completes the First
Successful Year of Interventions

Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana Gets Honoured with the Prestigious SKOCH Award
Devbhoomi Udyamita Yojana (DUY), initiated and supported by the Higher Education Department, Govt.
of Uttarakhand and implemented by EDII has been honoured with the SKOCH AWARD. The Project has Goa has a thriving startup ecosystem with a mix of diverse culture, infrastructure,
won Gold Medal under the category of 'Education'. Project DUY competed with over 40 entries to secure manpower, and development orientation. Goa is an ideal base for entrepreneurs facilitating
this Award. an environment that is supportive and enabling a startup with both technologically
innovative and globally competitive environments. The EDII- Goa Centre, set up on March
The SKOCH Award is India's highest independent civilian honour, and salutes people, projects and 12, 2024, with the support of EDC Limited, Goa (which is the Centre's Nodal Agency), is
institutions for their extraordinary achievements in contributing to society. focused on catalysing entrepreneurial growth in Goa. The Centre serves as a hub for
fostering entrepreneurial thinking, attaining economic self-reliance and building a more
Receiving the award from (3rd from R) Mr. substantial support system for upcoming and existing entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurial
Sameer Kochhar, Chairman, SKOCH Group, on excellence in Goa is sought to be achieved through skill development programmes,
behalf of EDII and the Government are (2nd from capacity-building initiatives and personal mentoring.
R) Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary of Higher
Education Department, Govt. of Uttarakhand;
(1st from R) Dr. Deepak Pandey- Asst. Director,
Dept. of Higher Education, Govt. of Uttarakhand
and Nodal Officer, DUY, Uttarakhand; (1st from
L) Dr. Shailendra Kr. Singh, Assistant professor
and Nodal Samarth; (3rd from L) Official from
SKOCH Group (2nd from L) Dr. Amit Kumar
Dwivedi, Professor & Director - Department of
Government Projects, EDII.

Ms. Noorjahan Nasser, a WeAct member, received
the 'Michael Boyce Outstanding Entrepreneur
Award 2024-2025' from the University of Notre
Dame in 'Urban Poverty and Business Initiative'
Category. Her ‘distinguished achievements in
building a business’ were recognized. EDII has The first anniversary of the EDII-Goa Centre coincided with completion of 50 years of EDC
secured this prestigious Award for the third Limited, Goa. Celebrations were marked with the presence of Dr. Pramod Sawant, Hon'ble Chief
consecutive year. Minister of Goa. Also present were (1st from R) Shri B. S. Pai Angle, Managing Director, EDC
Limited; (1st from L) Dr. V. Candavelou, IAS, Chief Secretary of Goa and (2nd from R) Dr. Sunil
Shukla, Director General, EDII.

During the event, a document on the one-year journey of EDII - Goa Centre was released by
the esteemed guests.

Dr. Pramod Sawant complimented EDII and EDC Ltd. for joining hands in
On March 7, 2025, Utkal promoting entrepreneurship in the state. He said, “We align our goals with
Alumina International Ltd. that of the Nation's, and move ahead with the mission of making India, the
was honoured with 7th Indian fastest growing economy with entrepreneurship being a huge driver of
Chamber of Commerce (ICC) growth. On the front of entrepreneurship, while tourism reigns supreme, we
Social impact Award 2025 for now want people, especially youths, to explore other potential sectors and
Project Udyamee in Large areas. EDII and EDC Ltd are effectively ensuring that Goa witnesses a cohort
Enterprise Category. of new entrepreneurs pioneering novel ideas and innovations.”

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