The Nagaland Department of Industries & Commerce on Tuesday honored eight entrepreneurs with the prestigious Entrepreneur Award 2025. The awards were presented during a ceremony held at the department’s conference hall in Kohima, recognizing the outstanding contributions of these entrepreneurs to entrepreneurship and enterprise development in the state. The recipients were selected by the State Selection Committee after evaluating applications received from across Nagaland. **Director of Industries & Commerce P.
Tokugha Sema** acknowledged the role of Advisor for Industries & Commerce Hekani Jakhalu in strengthening the department’s initiatives and making programmes such as the Entrepreneur Award successful. Sema congratulated the awardees, describing them as genuine entrepreneurs whose achievements reflected years of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He emphasized that entrepreneurship is a challenging journey that demands passion and commitment, adding that building a successful enterprise requires sustained effort and sacrifice. Advisor Hekani Jakhalu congratulated the awardees and lauded their contribution to Nagaland’s economy through job creation and enterprise development.
She highlighted the department’s efforts under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme, which has conducted extensive outreach activities, including village-level workshops, to promote entrepreneurship. Jakhalu informed that 750 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been identified for a six-month mentoring programme aimed at helping them expand and emerge as leading representatives of Nagaland’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She also urged entrepreneurs to avoid the ‘founder’s trap’, a situation where business owners become overly dependent on managing every aspect of their enterprise, limiting opportunities for growth and learning.
Jakhalu encouraged entrepreneurs to build efficient systems, delegate responsibilities, and invest in networking, emphasizing that strong business ecosystems are essential for sustainable growth. Furthermore, she acknowledged the support of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for initiatives aimed at strengthening MSMEs and local businesses, adding that entrepreneurs would play a pivotal role in shaping Nagaland’s future economic development. The awardees were Pisala Sangtam, founder of Forever Handmade 21, Kiphire; S.
Khumo, proprietor of Art & Craft Unit, Noklak; Liyingbeni Odyuo, founder of Liying Clothing, Dimapur; Vitoli Achumi, proprietor of Aasuto Enterprise, Dimapur; Imtisunup Longchar, founder of Ilandlo Services, Dimapur; Ajung Yaden and Atem Longkumer, founders of TRIBOLT, Dimapur; Supongtola Aier, proprietor of Zonee Food Products, Dimapur; and Alem Konyak, founder of Beads Jewellery, Mon Town. Joint Director K. Francis Hekavi delivered the closing remarks, urging the entrepreneurs to continue fostering innovation, support local businesses, and serve as torchbearers for enterprise development and economic growth in the state. The programme was chaired by Additional Director Er.
Y. Lipongse Thongstar.
