Rural youth lead change in Assam's Karbi Anglong

Once shy and uncertain, Maibising, Barnabas, Jyotsna, and Hardward are now emerging as changemakers in Assam’s remote Karbi Anglong hills — equipped not with formal degrees or financial capital, but with purpose, resilience, and a strong sense of community.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

These four youth are part of a transformative grassroots initiative called Riso Ejang, which is nurturing a new generation of rural entrepreneurs determined to shape a better future for themselves and their communities.

Launched in July 2024, Riso Ejang — meaning “Let’s Begin” in the local language — operates under the broader initiative Youth Engagement towards Financial Prosperity and Self-Actualisation. The programme is spearheaded by DhriitiThe Courage Within, an NGO committed to fostering entrepreneurship and micro-enterprises among India’s youth.

In Karbi Anglong, the initiative is helping local youth (aged 18-35) turn ambition into action by aligning entrepreneurship with the social, ecological, and cultural realities of the region.