23/02/2026
Stars Of Hope successfully organised the Sixth Workshop of Sun Talks - PAILA (Program for Aspiring Innovators and Local Achievers) on February 15, 2026, at Gangtok, Sikkim.
Sun Talks - PAILA is a joint initiative of the District Administrative Centre (DAC), Gangtok, and the CSR Department, Sun Pharma Sikkim, and is being implemented by Stars Of Hope (SOH).
Sun Talks - PAILA is an initiative dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurship, innovation, and self- reliance. The program aims to provide aspiring entrepreneurs with a structured platform to transform their ideas, passions, and dreams into impactful and sustaina ventures. Through interactive workshops, expert mentorship, andhands-on learning sessions, participants gain practical knowledge and essential entrepreneurial skills required to build, validate, and scale enterprises.
The sixth workshop was conducted on the theme "Product Development and Packaging", focusing on transforming ideas into market-ready products and guiding participants on value addition, product refinement, branding, packaging standards, and the importance of quality and compliance in building scalable enterprises.
The workshop featured Mr. Yadu Gautam, Owner of Gautam Integrated Farm, as a mentor speaker, who shared practical insights on value addition, farm-based product innovation, and the importance of quality a consistency in developing sustainable and market-ready products, while Ms. Rinzing Choden Bhutia, Founder of Aghapi, spoke about branding, packaging aesthetics, and positioning local products effectively in competitive markets.
The technical session was led by Dr. Manu Prakash, Technical Expert and Team Lead, SPIU - World Bank Project under MoMSME (RAMP, Sikkim), who provided in-depth guidance on product standardization, packaging compliance, labelling requirements, and government support schemes available for MSMEs. His session helped participants understand how strategic product development and professional packaging enhance market acceptance and scalability.
The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Bikash Thapa, Chairman, Stars Of Hope.
The program was further honoured by the presence of Mr. Tushar Nikhare (IAS), DM-cum- DC, Gangtok, who addressed the participants and encouraged them to remain consistent in their efforts, continue learning, and confidently pursue their entrepreneurial ideas with long-term vision and commitment. Ms. Devika Gurung, Founder of Fidgety Fingers, was also present, extending her support to the aspiring entrepreneurs.
The workshop concluded with interactive discussions and practical reflections, equipping participants with clearer direction on developing, refining, and presenting their products effectively. Sun Talks - PAILA continues to strengthen entrepreneurial capacities by bridging practical experience with technical expertise.
