Dr. P.K Mishra, Vice Chancellor, Kaziranga University was the Guest of Honour at the Innovators cum Entrepreneurs Meet (ICEM 2019) held at CSIR NEIST Jorhat, on 8th-11th May 2019. The 'Innovators cum Entrepreneurs Meet' was organized by CSIR-North East Institute of Science & Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, at its premises to promote entrepreneurship among the striplings. The institute is focusing on entrepreneurship development in the country, particularly in North-Eastern Region (NER) with innovative technologies developed by the institute for last few decades and understand the needs and aspirations of the innovators & entrepreneurs.

The Meet was attended by several eminent persons such as Padma Bhushan Dr T Ramasami, Former Secretary, DST, Govt. of India; Padma Shri Prof. V Prakash, Former DG CSIR & Former Director CSIR-CFTRI; Padma Shri Dr Anil K Gupta, Visiting Faculty, IIMA & IITB; Padma Shri Dr. Uddhab Bharali, Renowned Innovator; Dr. Anil Koul, Director, CSIR-IMTECH; Dr Rakesh K Mishra, CSIR-CCMB; Prof. Vibha Tandon, Jawaharlal Nehru University; Dr A Chakraborty, Chief Scientist & Head, DGTC, CSIR; Dr VM Tiwari, Director, CSIR-NGRI; Dr. Sunil R Parekh, Chief-Strategy and Corporate Affairs, Zydus Cadila, Ahmedabad; Dr. Viswajanani Sattigerri, Scientist H, TKDL Unit; Dr. N. Krishnamurti, Former Head, Organic Coating and polymer, CSIR-IICT, Consultant, Pidilite, J&J and RCI; Dr. Hemchandra Goswami, Innovator Majuli Mask Craft; Dr. H. Purushotham, CMD, NRDC and Prof. Tapas K. Kundu, Director, CSIR-CDRI and about 20 other innovators and entrepreneurs' have delivered very good talks.

A total of 127 entrepreneurs and innovators from all the states of North East attended the programme. One of the highlights of the programme was the "Food for Thought" where 9 themes viz., 1. Entrepreneurship in Educational Institutes, 2. Start-ups – Prospects and Con-straints, 3. Traditional Knowledge based Entrepreneurship, 4. Women Entrepreneurship, 5. Waste to Wealth, 6. Nature Inspire Healthcare, 7. Knowledge for Empowerment, 8. Agri-Entrepreneurship (Organic, GM & non-GM crops) and 9. Data Science for Sustainable Development were thoroughly discussed on 8^th May evening for 3 hours during dinner.

The last day of the event was sponsored by NRDC, New Delhi which was concluded with another very inspiring lecture delivered by Padma Shri Prof V Prakash about challenges in food value chain in agri food processing in NE and solutions through sustainable microentrepreneurship from farm to folk.