Berhampur: Five hundred aspiring entrepreneurs from different parts of the country and 19 other countries, on a train journey across the country and abroad, halted at Berhampur on Monday. They are on a 14-day tour called Jagriti Yatra.
They interacted with the residents of Kankia and Tamana villages and learnt about the functioning of a local NGO there. Then they left for Rajgir.
Of the 500, 15 are from different parts of Odisha while 20 belong to other countries. They began their journey from Mumbai, on December 24.
Organised by Mumbai-based Jagriti Sewa Sansthan, the train journey aims to inspire middle-class youngsters to take up entrepreneurship. The youngsters hired a train named Jagriti Yatra and have travelled to Hubli, Bengaluru, Madurai, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam till now.
From Rajgir, the young men and women will move to Deoria, Delhi, Tilonia and Ahmedabad. The youth met and interacted with Liby Johnson, Executive Director of the NGO Gram Vikash and discussed their programmes and steps to improve livelihoods in Ganjam villages.
The concept of Jagriti Yatra came into being in 2008. Several reputed companies sponsor this programme.