GUJARAT, AHMEDABAD | 20th DECEMBER 2025 — The second National SC/ST Mega Business Expo-Summit 2025 was held on Sunday at the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs on a common platform to promote inclusive economic growth and entrepreneurship within the SC/ST community.
Organised by the Nayi Disha Awareness Forum, the Summit focused on empowering aspiring entrepreneurs from SC/ST communities through exposure to successful business models, access to guidance and mentorship, and awareness of policy support and opportunities. The event witnessed strong participation from youth, women entrepreneurs and first-generation business aspirants from across Gujarat and other parts of the country.
Several ministers and political leaders, including Dr. Pradyuman Vaja, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Naresh Patel, Minister of Tribal Development, Dr Manisha Vakil, Minister of State for Women and Child Welfare, Darshna Vaghela, Minister of State for Urban Development and Urban Housing, Dr. Jayram Gamit, Minister of State for Sports, Youth Services and Cultural Activities, Ramesh Katara, Minister of State for Agriculture, and PC Baranda, Minister of State for Tribal Development, participated in the Summit.
MLAs Rita Patel, Jignesh Mevani and Chaitar Vasava, and former state minister and IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani also graced the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajeshkumar Solanki, Founder and Director of Nayi Disha Awareness Forum, said the Summit was conceptualised to provide the right direction and handholding support to aspiring entrepreneurs from the SC/ST community.
“Our objective is to make the SC/ST community economically stronger by connecting them with successful business leaders, practical knowledge and opportunities. Through platforms like this Summit, we want to encourage youth and women to become entrepreneurs, achieve financial independence and actively contribute to nation-building and a more inclusive society,” Solanki said.
The Summit also saw participation from eminent personalities from business, public service and culture, including Padma Shri Kalpana Saroj, noted woman entrepreneur, Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder and Chairman of Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICC), Gujarati film actor Hitu Kanodia, retired IRS officer Ramesh Chauhan, and philanthropist Virji Vaniya, among others.
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