Leela Charan Dutta, a rising to young Assames entrepreneur

Jorhat, Mar 29 (ANI): Leela Charan Dutta from Charigaon village in Assam's Jorhat region is a rising young entrepreneur of the state, who started a bee-keeping business two decades ago.

Today, Dutta's annual turnover is over Rs 70 lakhs. He employs 40 people and is the biggest honey producer in the northeast.

He started his business with an investment of Rs 10,000 and ten beehives, and started making a profit after two years of struggle. He later registered his venture "CK Udyog" under the Assam Small-Scale Industries Department. Today, he has his own processing unit that he started with a loan of three lakhs rupees from the Assam Finance Cooperation Bank in 1994.

Dutta was the only person with a honey-processing unit in the entire North East till some time back.

"My revenues are good, and I have built this office from the profits I have earned. Whatever I have today I have done it through this business," said Dutta.

Dutta's business had a slow beginning, but it picked up later. He sells honey under the brand name Assam Honey. Dutta markets his product not just in the northeast, but also in other parts of the country. His produces four tonnes of honey annually. He aims to increase production and improve quality so that he can export it to international markets.

"I am planning to set up my own laboratory and obtain the AG MARK. For that purpose, I have sent one of my consultants to Kolkata. If can get AG Mark, my business will definitely increase," said Dutta.

Dutta was conferred with the "Bharat Vikas Ratan Award" in 2012 by the All India Business Development Association.

He is a source of inspiration to many youth in his village. Most of the people working in Dutta's unit were earlier unemployed. Inspired by his success, today more than 1200 youth in the village are following in his footsteps.

"Earlier, my father worked here, and then, I also joined the organization. Our owner is very good I have been working here for three years. I am getting a good salary with which I can look after my family. I am happy working here," said Rajib Boruah, an employee.

Today several Assamese youth are opting to become entrepreneurs rather than look for government jobs. This has become possible because of the improvement in the security situation in the region following the decline of militancy. (ANI)