Himalayan Startup Trek was inaugurated virtually and Industries Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sh. Bikram Singh announced a seed fund of Rs 10 crore for startups from Himachal Pradesh.

I congratulate and applaud the Institute on virtually organising the Himalayan Startup Trek during the Covid times.’

Chief Minister during the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek further said in the fast growing world, he urges the young startups to take a lead in utlising technology to find solutions for the community at large.

Concluding his address during the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek, he said ‘I hope to visit IIT Mandi in the near future and discuss how the state government can work even closer with the Institute to boost the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the state.’

Himalayan Startup Trek gets a great big boost

Industries Minister Bikram Singh speaking at the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek said he was happy to see IIT Mandi has incubated more than 100 startups in the past 4 years which have made a mark not just on national but on international level as well.

‘I congratulate the Institute and its team for this achievement and hope that these innovators will help the country grow.’

Industries Minister speaking further at the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek said The Him Startup Yojna will provide unimaginable opportunities to the startups from Himachal Pradesh.

It is interesting to note that IIT Mandi Catalyst already hosts Rs 10 crore fund sponsored by Department of Science and Technology of Government of India that has national focus.

Under the Him Startup Yojana, funding will be focussed to the regional startups that are in advance stages of product development and are looking to commercialise it in the near future.

Speaking about the collaboration of IIT Mandi and state goverment during the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek, IIT Mandi director Professor Ajit K. Chaturvedi said IIT Mandi Catalyst is continuously helping young minds in materialising their innovative ideas to create solutions for the society at large.

IIT Mandi Catalyst will consider providing incubation support to as many as 70 startups during this year’s Himalayan Startup Trek.

Himalayan Startup Trek is a three day event during which three day event 40 mentors/investors will meet these startups.

Startups that would be selected at Himalayan Startup Trek will undergo an incubation program during which seed funding will be provided to them.

A maximum seed support of Rs. 50 Lakh will be available to a single startup.

Dr. Anita Gupta, Advisor and Head (Innovation and Entrepreneurship), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India said given the talent, opportunity, challenges, and diversity, in India, we are charting the new pathways to promote entrepreneurship in the county.

Incubators like IIT Mandi Catalyst are navigating the challenging journey of young startups and providing mentors for them to succeed, she said speaking at Himalayan Startup Trek.

‘I am happy to see many startups incubated by IIT Mandi Catalyst and other incubators of DST have worked tirelessly to help tackle COVID in the country.’

Also read ‘Click here to know the great medical education scenario in our country‘

Dr Anita speaking further during the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek said all these innovative efforts have helped India rise in the Global Innovation Index.

Dr. Ajai K Garg, Director, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Govenment of India said Covid has given us a great opportunity to enhance our strength using technological innovation and solutions.

IIT Mandi Catalyst is an important factor keeping the government and young entrepreneurs glued to work together for the betterment of Society.

I am glad to say MeitY startup hub is with Catalyst to support the young entrepreneurial India, he said during the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek.

In its incubation program, IIT Mandi Catalyst will provide business and technical mentoring to the selected startups shortlisted under the scheme through a competitive pitching process.

The next batch of incubation program will begin in the month of January 2021 and the startups will have an opportunity to raise funds from various funding schemes that the incubator hosts.

In a short span of four years, Catalyst has incubated more than 100 startups and disbursed more than Rs. 3.5 crore funds.

Catalyst is currently hosting Nidhi-Seed Support System, Nidhi-Prayas Scheme, and TIDE 2.0 scheme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology that has a national focus.

All these schemes provide funding for different stages of startups be it ideation, prototyping or commercialization.

Apart from this, Mr. Srikanth Velamakanni, Executive Vice Chairman, Fractal Analytics, Mr. Kartik Desai, Executive Director, Asha Impact and Ms. Rhea M Singhal, Founder & CEO, Ecoware India addressed the audience at the inauguration of Himalayan Startup Trek.

The workshop brought together representatives from leading educational institutions, government bodies, hospitals, mental health organisations and community groups. Through discussions, demonstrations and practical exercises, participants explored how colleges and universities can create safer, healthier and more inclusive environments for students.

The central message of the event was that student support should begin before a situation becomes a crisis. Instead of waiting for students to experience severe distress, institutions must create systems that identify concerns early, encourage help-seeking and provide accessible support without stigma.

Moving from Crisis Response to Early Intervention

Traditionally, mental health support in educational institutions has often focused on responding to serious or visible problems. However, the IIT Madras workshop highlighted the importance of shifting from a crisis-based approach to a preventive wellbeing model.

When mentoring, counselling and peer-support systems are available from the beginning of a student’s academic journey, students may feel more comfortable discussing their concerns. Such systems can also help them develop healthy coping skills, resilience and confidence.

IIT Madras has emphasised the creation of a campus culture where seeking help is viewed as a positive and responsible step. This stigma-free approach can encourage more students to use support services without fear of judgement.

The IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model

One of the major highlights of the workshop was the presentation of the IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model. The model demonstrates how higher education institutions can develop a nurturing campus environment through a combination of preventive and responsive support systems.

The model includes mentoring programmes, peer-support networks, professional counselling, early identification of distress, inclusive education and holistic student engagement. Rather than treating student wellbeing as the responsibility of a single department, the model promotes coordinated involvement from faculty members, wardens, counsellors, administrators, mentors and students.

Prof. Suresh Kumar Rayala, the first Associate Dean Students (Wellness) at IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of engaging with students early. He explained that a supportive campus culture must make it easier for students to ask for help and access the right guidance.

The approach combines academic mentoring, peer engagement and professional support. This allows institutions to address both academic challenges and personal concerns while ensuring that students receive assistance appropriate to their needs.

Building a Campus-Wide Support System

Student wellbeing cannot be improved through counselling services alone. A truly effective system must involve every part of campus life, including classrooms, hostels, dining facilities, student groups and administrative departments.

Faculty mentors can help students manage academic expectations and identify difficulties affecting their performance. Peer mentors can provide informal support and help students feel less isolated. Professional counsellors can assist students who require specialised emotional or psychological care.

Wardens, hostel managers and student volunteers also play an important role because they interact with students in their everyday living environment. These individuals may notice changes in behaviour, attendance, social interaction or daily routines that could indicate distress.

By connecting these support systems, institutions can respond more quickly and sensitively. A coordinated framework also reduces the possibility of students being overlooked or being unsure about where to seek assistance.

Learning Through Expert Collaboration

The two-day workshop followed an interactive format that included expert lectures, panel discussions, case studies, demonstrations and group activities. These sessions enabled participants to discuss real campus challenges and explore practical solutions that could be implemented at their respective institutions.

The workshop covered several areas related to student development and mental health, including stress-free education, resilience, policy interventions, clinical approaches to stress management and preventive mental health strategies.

Participants also discussed lifestyle-based interventions, happiness, flourishing and the importance of creating educational environments that support both academic achievement and personal growth.

Experts and representatives from the Ministry of Education, IIT Tirupati, NIT Tiruchirappalli, AIIMS Jodhpur, Krea University, YourDOST, Kauvery Hospital, Ramakrishna Math and Expressions India participated in the programme.

The involvement of educational institutions, healthcare organisations and mental health professionals demonstrated that student wellbeing requires collaboration across multiple sectors. Universities may provide the campus infrastructure, but healthcare professionals, policymakers and community organisations can contribute specialised knowledge and broader support.

Understanding Student Life Inside Hostels

A distinctive feature of the workshop was an on-ground visit to IIT Madras hostels and dining facilities. Participants interacted with hostel managers, wardens, peer mentors, MITR volunteers and students to understand how student-support systems function in everyday campus life.

This visit highlighted the fact that student wellbeing is influenced not only by institutional policies but also by the quality of daily interactions and living conditions.

For many students, joining a residential institution is their first experience of living away from home. They may face loneliness, cultural adjustment, language barriers or difficulties in developing new friendships. Supportive hostel environments can help students feel safer, more connected and more confident.

Peer networks are particularly valuable because students may initially feel more comfortable discussing concerns with classmates or senior students. Trained volunteers can listen, provide guidance and connect students with professional services when required.

Safe accommodation, approachable wardens, healthy food, inclusive social spaces and accessible support mechanisms can collectively improve the student experience.

Identifying Warning Signs and Preventing Future Risks

The second day of the workshop focused strongly on preventive wellbeing. Sessions examined the early identification of behavioural warning signs, learning disabilities, substance-use prevention, lifestyle management and institutional preparedness.

Early warning signs may include withdrawal from social activities, sudden academic decline, irregular attendance, changes in sleep patterns, increased irritability or difficulty managing routine responsibilities. While these signs do not always indicate a serious mental health condition, they may suggest that a student requires additional support.

Institutions must ensure that staff members and student mentors are trained to respond sensitively. The objective should not be to label or diagnose students but to listen, offer assistance and guide them towards appropriate resources.

The discussion on learning disabilities was also important because students with unidentified learning challenges may experience repeated academic difficulties and reduced confidence. Inclusive teaching practices and timely academic accommodations can help such students participate more effectively.

Creating Action Plans for Healthier Institutions

During the workshop, participating institutions used a wellbeing review framework to assess their existing systems. They examined areas such as mentoring, counselling, hostel support, peer engagement and institutional readiness.

This assessment allowed institutions to identify strengths as well as gaps in their current approaches. Participants then developed action plans that could be adapted to the requirements of their campuses.

The workshop concluded with a consolidated roadmap of recommendations for strengthening student-support systems. The recommendations are expected to contribute to the Ministry of Education’s broader objective of building emotionally healthy, academically supportive and inclusive institutions.

Student Wellbeing as a Foundation for Academic Success

The IIT Madras workshop has reinforced an essential idea: student wellbeing is not an optional campus facility. It is closely connected to academic success, personal development, inclusion and institutional excellence.

Students perform better when they feel safe, respected and supported. They are also more likely to participate in campus life, develop healthy relationships and seek assistance during difficult periods.

By promoting early engagement, professional counselling, peer networks, mentoring and practical hostel-level support, IIT Madras has presented a model that other institutions can study and adapt.

The future of higher education must include more than academic instruction. Colleges and universities must also create environments where students can grow emotionally, socially and personally. The IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model provides a meaningful direction for institutions seeking to build safer, healthier and more resilient campus communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the purpose of the IIT Madras student wellbeing workshop?

The workshop aimed to help higher education institutions develop preventive, inclusive and accessible student-support systems. It focused on early intervention, mentoring, counselling, peer support, resilience and practical strategies for improving student wellbeing.

2. What is the IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model?

The IIT Madras Student Wellbeing Model is a campus-wide support framework that combines mentoring, peer-support networks, counselling services, early identification of distress, inclusive education and holistic student engagement.

3. Why is early intervention important for student mental health?

Early intervention helps institutions identify and address emotional, academic or behavioural difficulties before they become serious. It also allows students to receive timely support and develop healthier coping strategies.

4. How can hostels support student wellbeing?

Hostels can support students through approachable wardens, trained peer mentors, safe living conditions, inclusive social spaces and easy access to counselling or professional support. Hostel staff can also help recognise changes in student behaviour.

5. Which organisations participated in the workshop?

The workshop included representatives and experts from the Ministry of Education, IIT Tirupati, NIT Tiruchirappalli, AIIMS Jodhpur, Krea University, YourDOST, Kauvery Hospital, Ramakrishna Math and Expressions India.