The 7th Edition of the Young Leaders Connect presented by Being Strong Fitness Equipment by Salman Khan was successfully held on the 2nd of November 2019 at The Grand, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, under the theme “Made in Northeast”. The conclave was attended by young leader achievers from diverse fields like business, politics, academia, sports, music and culture.
“Made in Northeast” was also the theme of the previous edition of the Young Leaders Connect 6 held in Shillong, Meghalaya. With the aim to go beyond dialogue, and towards deliverable goals applicable in a national and regional setting. Young Leaders Connect 7 continued with the same theme and was the only edition where it had a business to business session for the Northeast entrepreneurs and companies from India to meet for further collaboration and business ventures under the focus sector areas of 1) Agro-allied and Food Processing 2)Handloom & Handicraft 3) Tourism & Hospitality 4) Sports & Entertainment. Over 120 entrepreneurs from the northeastern states of India came and attended the conclave.
The inaugural session of the conclave was graced with the presence and participation of Mr. Kiren Rijiju (Hon’ble Union Minister of India, Chair – Young Leaders Connect 7), Mr. Conrad Sangma (Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Co-Chair – Young Leaders Connect 7), Mr. Bhaichung Bhutia (Indian Football Icon, Co-Chair – Young Leaders connect 7), Mr. Neiphiu Rio (Hon’ble Chief Minister of Nagaland, Chief Patron – Young leaders Connect 7), Mr. Gaurav Gogoi (Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Member – Leaders Connect), Ms. Hekani Jakhalu (Founder & Chair of YouthNet, Member – Leaders Connect), Ms. Mary Kom (World Boxing Champion, Member of Parliament), Mr. Mahendra Singhi, (MD & CEO of Dalmia Group), & Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto (Japan International Corporation Agency, JICA India).
Opening Remarks by Chair YLC-7, Hon’ble Union Minister of State Mr. Kiren Rijiju.
Welcoming everyone to YLC-7 by Ms. Hekani Jakhalu , Chair YouthNet
Leaders Connect member and Hon’ble Member of Parliament Mr. Gaurav Gogoi
World Boxing Champ and Hon’ble Member of Parliament Ms. Mary Kom
MD & CEO Dalmia Group Mr. Mahendra Singhi
Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA India) Chief Mr. Katsuo Matsumoto
Chief Patron of YLC, Hon’ble Chief Minister Nagaland Mr.Neiphiu Rio
Closing Remarks by Chair LC Bhaichung Bhutia
After the inaugural program ended, the next session kick-started with the ‘Entrepreneurs Speak’ where, North East entrepreneurs share their journey of success, failure, and the future.
The session was chaired by Mr. Roshan Farhan and the panelist were Ms. Karishma Kakoti (KA Design, Assam), Mr. Rewaj Chettri (NE Taxi, Sikkim), Mr. Nickson Sharma (NE Venture Fund, NEDFI, Manipur), Mr. Ben Imchen (Universal Power Solution, Nagaland), and Mr. Abhishek Mazumdar (The Logical Indian, Arunachal Pradesh).
The next session was on ‘Expectations from NE‘ where NE Entrepreneurs open up their horizon for greater collaboration, the expectations from partner and prospective partners.
The session was chaired by Mr. Larsin Ming (Member, Leaders Connect, MD, Centre Group Entreprises), and the speakers were Ms. Apoorva Kohli (Director, Category Business for Karnival, The Better India), Ms. Vineeta Dixit (Head of Policy AirBnB India), Ms. Julia Karst (Head of Project Her&Now GIZ India), Mr. Abhishek Gupta (Partner Economic Development & Infrasture, EY India), and Mr. Preet Deep Sing (Co-Lead, Startup India).
Delegates listen intensely
Team Leaders Connect listens intensely
The most awaited Business to Business session between NE entrepreneurs and Companies from India.
Young Leaders Connect 7 also had an exhibition area just outside the conference hall that showcased the products of various entrepreneurs from North East India, where delegates can browse as well as buy them right from the spot. A perfect snack to go along with their tea/coffee as they stroll along the exhibition area during the tea breaks in between sessions.
Exhibition area of Made in North-East-1
Exhibition area of Made in North-East-2
Young Leaders Connect 7 through the lenses