Ideathon 2025 concludes at Ladakh Varsity
Leh, Sept 19: Local ingenuity took centre stage at the University of Ladakh as Ideathon 2025 unveiled a wave of inventive products ranging from fragrant incense sticks to organic apricot-based treats. The event, organised under the Enterprising Ladakh initiative by EDII Ahmedabad, celebrated the entrepreneurial aspirations of the region’s youth.
The contest drew 87 proposals from across Ladakh, out of which 20 were shortlisted for presentation at the Leh campus. Eight participants demonstrated their prototypes before a jury of experts, showcasing solutions spanning new-age technologies, product design, tourism, agriculture and food processing, and culture-driven innovation.
Emerging as winners, Nazia and Padma from GDC Nubra secured the top prize of Rs. 10,000 for Whiff from Ldumra, handmade incense sticks crafted from local flowers. The second prize of Rs. 5,000 went to Sanju Kumari and her team, also from GDC Nubra, for their Organic Apricot Bliss Ball. Five others received consolation prizes across various categories.
The judging panel included Dr Maheshwar of ICAR Leh, Mr Prem Bodh from SBI-RSETI Leh, entrepreneur Ms Rigzin Angmo, and Mr Vivek Saxena of Farguun Foundation, while the session was chaired by Prof. Rama Jayasundar of AIIMS New Delhi. Prof. Rama commended the originality of the participants and encouraged them to continue exploring entrepreneurial ventures.
Dr Jigmet Stobdan, Nodal Officer, University of Ladakh, thanked Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saket Kushwaha and EDII officials for their support. EDII faculty member Dr Diwakar Singh stressed the importance of sustainability and market readiness, observing that Ladakhi youth “remain rooted in tradition while innovating for the future.”
At its core, Ideathon 2025 was more than a competition; it was a platform designed to inspire entrepreneurship and instil confidence among students from Leh, Nubra, Kargil, Zanskar and Drass. By blending local culture with innovative thinking, the event showcased how the next generation envisions progress while preserving identity.
Enterprising Ladakh, the larger initiative behind the event, is spearheaded by the Department of Higher Education, UT Ladakh, in partnership with the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India and the University of Ladakh. Conceived under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Secretary, and senior education officials, the programme carries the vision of EDII leaders Dr Sunil Shukla and Dr Amit Kumar Dwivedi.
