Realizing the importance of being an entrepreneur to strengthen the national economy, rather than adamant for reservation, the one of its own chamber special — Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI) opened its Punjab Chapter on Thursday.

Punjab’s Technical Education and Industrial Training, Employment Generation and Training, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Charanjit Singh Channi formally launched the chapter in the presence of hundreds of DICCI delegates across the country.

DICCI is aimed at motivating the Dalit youth to enter the business and industry sector as entrepreneurs or start-ups and to carve their own niche for their contribution to the nation’s economy through wealth creation and to spread the spirit of enterprise to other fellow members.

Channi applauded the efforts of chamber for uplifting the ‘ignorant’ class by encouraging the entrepreneurship within the community.

“Government cannot fulfil each household with government jobs. But, it can encourage entrepreneurship and start-ups to make each one self reliant. Forums like DICCI can play its vital role for the overall development of the state,” said Channi.

DICCI founder president Padamshree Milind Kamble said that Punjab constitute maximum percentile of dalit population in the country which is close to 35 percent and will be massively benefited from the chamber.

“DICCI’s role is to bring all Dalit entrepreneurs under one umbrella and make it a one-stop Resource Center for existing and aspiring Dalit entrepreneurs and also to promote entrepreneurship amongst  Dalits as a solution to their socio-economic problems,” he said.

Rajesh Kumar unanimously appointed as the DICCI’s Punjab chapter president who lauded the realization of business leaders for the social and national growth. DICCI’s Punjab Chapter will soon roll out the mentoring session for youth and start up in various parts of state.