100 Talented Students Pledge to Become Job Creators, Not Job Seekers; Cabinet Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma Says Programme Lays Foundation for Viksit Bharat
- ByStartupStory | January 10, 2026
Ghaziabad today witnessed a significant moment in its youth and entrepreneurship journey as 100 selected students formally stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, committing themselves to becoming future job creators rather than job seekers. The initiative aims to empower young minds and strengthen the foundation of India’s vision of Viksit Bharat. Addressing the gathering, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Sunil Kumar Sharma said the programme would play a crucial role in building a self-reliant and developed India by enabling youth to lead enterprise-driven growth.
The grand inaugural ceremony of the Ghaziabad Entrepreneurship Mission was organised today by the Ghaziabad Management Association (GMA) at Ram Chameli Chadha Vishwas Girls College. SkillingYou, a renowned EdTech startup led by Praveen Rajbhar, is the Knowledge and Execution Partner for this initiative. The programme is being seen as a landmark step not only for Ghaziabad but for the entire state of Uttar Pradesh, as it provides a structured platform to channel young talent towards startups and entrepreneurship.
The programme was inaugurated by Sunil Kumar Sharma, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister for IT & Electronics, Government of Uttar Pradesh. Appreciating the initiative, he said this was the first organised district-level programme of its kind in the state, designed to transform youth from employment seekers into employment providers. He added that the mission would emerge as a milestone in achieving the national goal of Viksit Bharat and would inspire similar initiatives across other districts of the state.
Special guest Abhinav Gopal, Chief Development Officer, Ghaziabad, said that the event marked the beginning of Ghaziabad’s journey towards becoming a startup hub. He expressed pride that such a pioneering initiative was being launched from Ghaziabad and assured full support from the district administration to ensure that students receive not just guidance, but real opportunities. He further stated that, with the support of the District Industries Centre (DIC), selected students would be connected to government schemes, subsidies and funding support, enabling their startup ideas to move from concept to execution and generate employment.
The programme began with a welcome address by Rahul Agrawal, Executive Director, GMA. He explained that GMA has long worked as a bridge between industry and society, and that this mission was born out of the belief that the youth of Ghaziabad should become job creators, not job seekers. He described the initiative as an example of industry’s social responsibility, where industrial leaders have come forward to provide direction, mentorship and platforms to the younger generation.
This was followed by an address by Praveen Rajbhar, Founder and CEO of SkillingYou, who shared the complete journey of the mission. He explained that nearly 4,000 students from 12 colleges in Ghaziabad applied, out of which the top 100 students were selected based on the Founder Fit Test and the strength of their startup ideas. These selected students will now undergo two months of comprehensive startup training and support, enabling them to move forward with confidence.
The event was attended by the top 100 selected students of Ghaziabad, who are now part of this mission. Senior members of GMA, including founding member I.C. Agrawal, N.K. Dhand, and Neetu Chawla, Principal of Ram Chameli Chadha Vishwas Girls College, also addressed the students and extended their best wishes. Speakers emphasised that these young participants would not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the economic growth and identity of Ghaziabad and the state.
With this inauguration, Ghaziabad has entered a new phase of entrepreneurship-led development, where industry, administration and educational institutions are working together to build a self-reliant youth ecosystem. The initiative sends a clear message that the foundation of Viksit Bharat will be built at the district level, with young entrepreneurs playing the central role.
Follow Startup Story
Related Posts
