Daijiworld Media Network- Panaji

Panaji, Aug 22: Moving away from the conventional mindset of seeking government jobs or migrating abroad for employment, several Goan students have carved out independent paths as entrepreneurs — all while continuing their education.

One such example is 19-year-old Malissa D’Souza, a resident of Mapa-Panchwadi in Ponda and a BSc student at Ravi Naik College of Arts and Science, Farmagudi. Without any family background in business, Malissa turned her passion for crochet into a small venture. Inspired by a social media reel in 2023, she began creating handmade crochet items like flowers, amigurumis (stuffed toys), and keychains. By July 2025, she officially launched her business through social media and has already begun earning modestly, marking her step towards financial independence. “As an only child, I feel responsible to support my parents. This business is my way of contributing,” she said.

The entrepreneurship wave among Goan youth has been largely nurtured by Converge-Shiksha-Udyojak Sangam, a flagship programme of the Directorate of Higher Education (DHE) and the Goa State Higher Education Council (GSHEC). Designed to bridge the gap between academics and industry, the initiative has expanded to 37 colleges, conducted over 400 sessions, and reached 15,000 students across the state. “Through visionary initiatives, DHE has empowered students with courage to innovate and equipped faculty to mentor the entrepreneurs of tomorrow,” said DHE Director Bhushan Savaikar.

Arshiya Khan Inamdar, a TYBA Political Science student of Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, also took an unconventional route. At the age of nine, inspired by her father’s struggles repairing televisions and driving an auto rickshaw part-time, she suggested venturing into the mobile phone business. With her father’s support, Arshiya started a small shop which grew steadily into the only mobile shop in her locality. “By the age of 11, I could handle customers confidently. Our customers became like family. It was never easy, but I learned to overcome challenges early on,” she recalled.

Adding to the growing list of student innovators, Sohan Takkekar and Anish Naik, engineering students from Padre Conceicao College of Engineering, Verna, co-founded Bilton Marketing in 2025. With Sohan as CEO and Anish as CSO, the duo is redefining how local businesses connect with audiences through digital platforms.

These inspiring journeys reflect a strong shift among Goan youth — from traditional job-seeking attitudes to entrepreneurship, showcasing innovation, resilience, and determination to create opportunities rather than wait for them.