KOLKATA, 12 Jun: The Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) here in West Bengal, under the aegis of the union Tourism Ministry, hosted a unique celebration of empowerment, diversity, and inclusion with the successful completion of a five-day intensive training programme on food production and bakery for LGBTQ+ youths from Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and West Bengal.
Held from 8-12 June, the training brought together 21 young LGBTQ+ food business micro-entrepreneurs – both aspiring and existing – from east and Northeast India. The programme aimed to equip the participants with practical culinary skills, entrepreneurial knowledge, and industry exposure to strengthen livelihood opportunities and economic independence among marginalised LGBTQ+ communities.
The training was organised through a collaboration between IHM Kolkata and Bridge India, a Kolkata-based non-profit organisation working on rights, inclusion, and livelihoods of LGBTQ+ communities across east and Northeast India.
The participants received hands-on training in food production and bakery, covering a variety of cuisines, alongside theoretical sessions on food ethics, hygiene and safety, food standards, kitchen management, and entrepreneurship.
Expert chef trainers from the IHM conducted the sessions. The programme also featured an exposure visit to ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata, and a special session on entrepreneurial awareness and business idea validation conducted by experts from Tata Strive.
The initiative provided the participants, many of whom came from remote regions, a rare opportunity to learn from hospitality industry experts, refine their business ideas, and build valuable professional networks that would support their future career and entrepreneurial journeys.
Four members of AP QueerStation from Arunachal, representing Kra Daadi, Papum Pare and East Kameng districts, also participated in the workshop.
The Arunachal contingent returned home on 14 June, after completing the training programme.
AP QueerStation expressed its gratitude to Bridge India and IHM Kolkata for providing the opportunity to its members, and expressed hope that more LGBTQIA+ individuals from Arunachal would benefit from similar initiatives in the future.
The organisation said it believes that the skills, exposure, and entrepreneurial knowledge gained during the training will help participants make informed livelihood choices and strengthen economic opportunities within the community.
All 21 participants were awarded certificates of completion during the valedictory session held on 12 June.
