Over 100 veterans join Guwahati entrepreneurship workshop on 17 July
Synopsis
More than 100 retired defence personnel from across the Northeast converged on Guwahati for a hands-on entrepreneurship workshop — a signal that India's veterans are increasingly eyeing business ownership as a post-service calling, backed by institutional muscle from SIDBI, NSIC, and PHDCCI.
Key Takeaways
More than 100 military veterans from across the Northeast attended the workshop in Guwahati on 17 July .
The event was organised by the NER Chapter of PHDCCI to support veteran entrepreneurship and regional economic growth.
Sessions covered business planning, financial management, digital opportunities, startup funding, and government schemes.
Retired Air Vice Marshal Sanjib Bordoloi, AVSM , highlighted veterans' leadership and discipline as core entrepreneurial assets.
SIDBI , NSIC , and the MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Guwahati outlined credit, mentoring, and training support available to ex-servicemen.
More than 100 military veterans from across the Northeast gathered in Guwahati on 17 July for a dedicated entrepreneurship workshop, aimed at equipping retired defence personnel with the business skills, financial knowledge, and institutional connections needed to build viable enterprises after service. The event was organised by the North East Region (NER) Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI).
What the Workshop Covered
The day-long programme featured structured sessions on business planning, financial management, marketing strategies, digital business opportunities, startup funding, and access to government schemes designed to foster entrepreneurship. Interactive discussions with practising entrepreneurs and industry experts gave participants practical, on-the-ground perspectives on setting up and scaling businesses in a competitive environment.
Key Address by Retired Air Vice Marshal
Retired Air Vice Marshal Sanjib Bordoloi, AVSM, addressed the gathering, asserting that veterans carry a natural entrepreneurial edge — leadership, discipline, resilience, and structured problem-solving — that civilian founders often spend years trying to cultivate. He urged participants to convert those ingrained strengths into sustainable enterprises capable of generating local employment and contributing to the region's economic development.
Institutional Support on Offer
Officials from the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Guwahati, and the National Small Industries Corporation Ltd (NSIC) outlined the full spectrum of support available to ex-servicemen entrepreneurs. These included training programmes, mentoring, financial assistance, credit facilities, and structured networking opportunities. Representatives emphasised that multiple government schemes specifically target retired defence personnel seeking to establish or expand businesses.
Response and Broader Significance
Participants engaged actively, seeking guidance on specific business opportunities and expressing appreciation for the workshop's practical orientation. According to the organisers, the turnout and enthusiasm reflect a broader, growing trend of retired defence personnel viewing entrepreneurship as a credible post-service career path — not merely a fallback option. This comes amid wider national efforts to channel the discipline and leadership of veterans into civilian economic productivity, particularly in underserved regions like the Northeast. The event concluded with organisers reaffirming their commitment to strengthening linkages between veterans, financial institutions, and government agencies to support long-term economic self-reliance among ex-servicemen.
Point of View
But its real test will be follow-through. One-day awareness events rarely translate into viable businesses without sustained mentoring, credit access, and market linkages — all of which remain structurally thin in the Northeast. The presence of SIDBI and NSIC signals institutional intent, but veterans in the region face additional headwinds: limited local market depth, connectivity gaps, and a startup ecosystem that lags far behind metros. The PHDCCI's commitment to 'stronger linkages' needs a measurable action plan, not just a vote of thanks, if this is to move beyond a well-attended seminar.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Guwahati entrepreneurship workshop for military veterans?
It was a one-day programme organised by the NER Chapter of PHDCCI on 17 July in Guwahati, designed to help retired defence personnel transition into entrepreneurship. Over 100 veterans from across the Northeast attended, with sessions on business planning, startup funding, digital opportunities, and government support schemes.
Who organised the veterans entrepreneurship workshop in Guwahati?
The workshop was organised by the North East Region (NER) Chapter of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in coordination with SIDBI, the MSME Development and Facilitation Office Guwahati, and NSIC.
What government support is available for ex-servicemen entrepreneurs?
Officials at the workshop outlined training programmes, mentoring support, financial assistance, credit facilities, and networking opportunities specifically available to retired defence personnel. Multiple government schemes target ex-servicemen seeking to start or grow businesses.
Why are military veterans considered well-suited for entrepreneurship?
Retired Air Vice Marshal Sanjib Bordoloi noted that veterans bring leadership, discipline, resilience, and problem-solving skills that are directly transferable to running businesses. These qualities, he argued, give ex-servicemen a natural advantage in building sustainable enterprises.
How significant is veteran entrepreneurship for Northeast India?
The Northeast faces economic development challenges, and channelling the skills of retired defence personnel into local enterprise creation could support employment generation and self-reliance in the region. The growing turnout at such events, according to organisers, reflects rising interest among veterans in business as a viable post-service career.
