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‘Saluting Women Entrepreneurs: Breaking the Mould and Shaping Tomorrow’ held today at The Park, Kolkata.
On the Eve of International Women’s Day, the Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry and MCCI Ladies Forum organized a Special Session on “Saluting Women Entrepreneurs: Breaking the Mould and Shaping Tomorrow” on 7 March, 2024 at 3 PM at The Park, Kolkata.
The Session was addressed by Smt Usha Ramesh, Chief General Manager, NABARD, W.B.R.O, as the Chief Guest.
Smt Swati Gautam, Founder-CEO, NecessitySwatiGautam was the moderator.
Smt Shamlu Dudeja, Founder, SHE (Self Help Enterprise) India & Chairperson, Calcutta Foundation, Smt Nandita Raja, Founder, Kanishka’s, Smt Joita Sen, Director & Head of Marketing & Design, Senco Gold & Diamonds, Smt Rochita Dey, Director, Sreeleathers Limited & Founder of House of SL, Smt Khushboo Khosla Gupta, Managing Director (Marketing & Sales), Khosla Electronics Pvt. Ltd. & Co-Founder, Ammr LLP also addressed the Session.
Smt Usha Ramesh, Chief General Manager, NABARD, W.B.R.O in her address said that it is still unfortunate that among the entire workforce, only 10% are women in Baking Sector.
Smt Ramesh mentioned that NABARD is behind the setting up of a Self-Help Group in India to help rural women set up their businesses. She also pointed out that women are more likely to repay a loan than men.
She highlighted that NABARD has also initiated Micro Entrepreneurship Training for rural women to improve their earning prospects. NABARD has set up “Shalpata Plate Making” units in Bankura.
She informed me that NABARD has more than 50 FPOs that are producing organic products. Next Monday, NABARD will organize Mela with the FPOs to sell their goods.
Smt Swati Gautam, Founder-CEO, NecessitySwatiGautam, in her address said that the share of working women has been falling since 2009, the number of women in the lowest strata is increasing and the number of management graduates quitting their jobs after becoming a parent is increasing.
Smt Shamlu Dudeja, Founder, SHE (Self Help Enterprise) India & Chairperson, Calcutta Foundation in her address said she started her Kantha business with 3 poor village girls. Her organization has around 1000 workers, now.
Smt Nandita Raja, Founder, of Kanishka’s said that Kanishka focuses on quality and joy. Kanishka’s is the pioneer in block print of script and folk design in saris and it still helps artisans make a living.
Smt Joita Sen, Director & Head of Marketing & Design, Senco Gold & Diamonds in her address said that she has introduced silver and lifestyle cosmetic jewellery since 2007-08 to attract young women. Smt Rochita Dey, Director, Sreeleathers Limited & Founder of House of SL, in her address, said that Sreeleathers started in 1996, and she has helped to grow 48 stores in 10 states in India.
Smt Khushboo Khosla Gupta, Managing Director (Marketing & Sales), Khosla Electronics Pvt. Ltd. & Co-Founder, Ammr LLP in her address said that it is very unfortunate that in the business, as well as in showrooms, men still dominate the decision making.
Smt Nita Bajoria, Chairperson, MCCI Ladies Forum in her Welcome Address said that International Women’s Day falls annually on 8th March. It is a global event that celebrates women’s achievements, struggles, and their right to gender equality.
This year, International Women’s Day will be centered on the theme – Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress. Whereas the campaign theme is ‘Inspire Inclusion’. The specific theme aims to inspire people and understand the value of including women. According to LinkedIn, men are 42% more likely to be promoted to leadership positions than women in India.
The Session was concluded with a hearty Vote of Thanks proposed by Smt Rashmi Bansal Writer, Entrepreneur, and Motivational Speaker. In her address, she advised that women should be a “little Teflon coated” and not be upset by adverse comments
