Tamul Plates Named Winner of NSDC 2014 “Power to Empower” Challenge

Upaya congratulates Tamul Plates CEO Arindam Dasgupta for winning the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and India@75 “Power to Empower 2013 Challenge” (P2E 2013). 

“Winning this award is a great recognition of all the hard work Arindam and his team have put into growing Tamul Plates and the Tambul Plates brand,” said Upaya’s Director, Business Development Sreejith Nedumpully. “Not only is Tamul Plates building new skills in rural communities across the North East, but the company is ensuring that those who do gain new skills have a direct opportunity to earn a steady livelihood from them,” said Nedumpully.

Tamul Plates was selected for Upaya's LiftUP Project initiative in December 2013, a choice that has resulted in equity funding and ongoing business development advisory support for the Barpeta, Assam-based company.

With this win Tamul Plates receives a cash gift from the Muthoot Pappachan Foundation. Additionally, Tamul Plates will gain access to the capacity building Empretec program (an initiative of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development), along with admission to the iDiya program at Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad and to the upcoming Diffusion workshop at ISB. Each of these forums will provide increased visibility for the company, its palm leaf plates and bowls, and its innovative technology for producing the highest quality disposable dinnerware products.

Tamul Plates CEO Arindam Dasgupta (left) receives the first place prize at the Power to Empower 2013 Challenge

Justrojgar Awarded First Runner-Up in "Power to Empower" Competition

Upaya proudly congratulates Ajaya Mohapatra and the Justrojgar team for being named First Runner-up in the non-student category of the Power to Empower business plan competition. A partnership between the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and India@75, Power to Empower "[encourages] innovative and implementable business solutions that contribute to the development of a sustainable vocational skills ecosystem in India." This year's competition received 234 nominations and over 100 applications.

"We are extremely excited to see Justrojgar recognized by the NSDC for its potential to transform the lives of the urban poor," said Sriram Gutta, Upaya's Director of Business Development. "By training slum-dwellers on needed skills and ensuring they get social benefits, Justrojgar is creating job opportunities in a market with enormous potential," Gutta said.

As First Runner-up, Justrojgar will receive a free delegate pass to the Sankalp Unconvention Summit 2013 courtesy of the Villgro Innovations Foundation,  the opportunity to participate in the Deakin University’s (Australia) Sponsored Entrepreneurship program, a Complimentary TiE Annual Associate Membership, and a bundle of classes and mentorning courtesy of the Sunstone Business School.

Judges Saurabh Srivastava, Rajan Navani (both left) and MV Subbiah (far right) congratulate Ajaya Mohapatra (center) and Ashish Gupta

Ashish Gupta (left) and Ajaya Mohapatra present to the judges in the competition's final round.