Guwahati, Jan 16: Assam’s youth could be a driver of industrialisation to generate employment opportunities and entrepreneurship if supported by sustained policy focus, industry participation and skill development, experts said during a webinar titled “Assam’s Youth and Viksit Bharat 2047: Pathways to Industrialisation, Employment and Entrepreneurship”, organised by ACTION NGO and the Forum for Indian Journalists on Education, Environment, Health & Agriculture (FIJEEHA), in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS) Cell of Gauhati University, supported by Cairn Oil & Gas.
With over one-third of Assam’s population in the 15–34 age group, the state holds a strong demographic advantage that can be transformed into long-term economic growth, the speakers underlined.
The discussion aligned with the national vision on youth-led development, as highlighted during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that Assam’s youth can play a decisive role in the state’s economic transformation over the next two decades.
Speaking at the webinar, Pranjit Tamuli, Senior Executive Officer, Indian Chamber of Commerce, underlined the importance of long-term industry engagement.
“Industrial growth can create local employment and strengthen Assam’s economy when industry commits to long-term engagement with the state,” he said.
Highlighting the role of educational institutions, Dr. Ranjan K. Kakati of the NSS Cell, Gauhati University, said youth development must go beyond academic. Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), he said,
“its emphasis on skill development, experiential learning and practical exposure would help bridge gap between education and employability.”
Independent journalist Chandrani Sinha pointed to an emerging trend of reverse migration in Assam. “With a more conducive environment for industries and employment, many young people are returning to the state,” she said.
Entrepreneurship was highlighted as a key employment driver, particularly in sectors rooted in local strengths. Priyanka D Patwari, a Guwahati-based textile entrepreneur, said that with the right ecosystem, Assam’s youth could build sustainable enterprises that generate jobs locally.
Mriganku Bahak, development sector expert from Jorhat, stressed that growth must be inclusive.
“Development becomes truly impactful when industrial progress also strengthens rural and semi-urban communities,” he said.
The webinar fostered meaningful dialogue among youth, academia, industry and civil society, reinforcing the role of industries as long-term partners in Assam’s development journey. Speakers also highlighted the contributions of companies such as Cairn in advancing youth empowerment through initiatives including Digital Classrooms in Sarupathar, mental well-being awareness programmes in colleges, support for regional drama festivals, and promotion of sports through the organisation of football and cricket matches as well as support for platforms such as BWF World Junior Badminton Championship aligning efforts with the state’s broader development goals.