Strengthening awareness on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and promoting innovation among entrepreneurs, a two-day National-Level IPR Yatra Program was successfully organized at National Institute of Technology Durgapur. The initiative was conducted by Branch MSME-DFO, Durgapur under the aegis of the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises.
The program was inaugurated by Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, marking the formal commencement of the national outreach initiative. The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by Shri P.K. Das, Director, MSME-DFO Kolkata, and Prof. S.S. Ray of NIT Durgapur. The overall coordination of the event was handled by Tapas Ray, Assistant Director, Branch MSME-DFO, Durgapur.
The event witnessed participation from nearly 400 entrepreneurs representing different parts of the country. Extensive training sessions were conducted on key components of intellectual property, including Trademarks, Geographical Indications (GI), Copyrights, and Patents, equipping participants with practical knowledge for protecting their innovations.
Students also actively engaged in the seminar, with over 100 participants from Dr. B. C. Roy College of Pharmacy, Asansol Engineering College, and NIT Durgapur attending the sessions.
Expert speakers enriched the program with insightful deliberations. Dr. Bidhan Das, Assistant Director at the Indian Institute of Packaging, and Dr. Shantanu Panda from West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences highlighted the strategic importance of IPR protection for startups and emerging businesses.
Dr. Mahuya Hom Chowdhury, Nodal Officer of the West Bengal State Council of Science and Technology, delivered a detailed presentation on IPR mechanisms, while Dr. Bholanath Mondal, Assistant Professor at Visva-Bharati University, discussed academic and practical aspects of intellectual property.
The program also featured the presence of Dr. Hriday Haldar, Chairman of the Anandamoyee Group, as a successful entrepreneur. The first day concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Bipul De, Assistant Director, MSME-DFO Kolkata.
A notable highlight was the participation of more than 100 SC and ST entrepreneurs, accompanied by award-winning social worker Tapas Kumar De. Dr. Sandip Chatterjee from Bankura Sammilani Medical College spoke on innovation and invention, emphasizing their role in sustainable enterprise growth.
B.R. Pal, Manager of the National SC-ST Hub, informed attendees about various Central Government schemes and benefits available for SC and ST entrepreneurs.
The second day concluded with Assistant Director Achintya Bhattacharya, MSME-DFO Kolkata, delivering the final vote of thanks, formally bringing the impactful IPR Yatra Program to a close.
