The Union MSME Ministry, in partnership with the MSME Development Institute in Nagpur and the Swayampurna Bahuuddeshiya Sanstha (SBS), conducted a four-day expo aimed at helping women become financially independent.
The brainchild of SBS President Kanchan Nitin Gadkari – wife of Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, the expo began on January 3 at Laxmi Nagar. The objective of the expo was to create employment opportunities for enterprising women in the MSME sectors, thereby encouraging women entrepreneurship.
The expo had close to 100 stalls with various decorative items, foods, clothing and dress materials, jewellery, wooden articles, bamboo products, herbal products/medicines, bags, spices, pickles, and more, on display.
It also consisted of a number of competitions, sports, and cultural events, which were intended to bring out “the hidden talents among women”. In addition, technical officials were also present to inform the participants about the various government schemes/incentives available for the MSME sector.
Representatives of banks, DIC, and more, conducted incisive sessions about the opportunities for women entrepreneurs, along with guidance on marketing, packaging, and export of products.
P.M. Parlewar, the Director of MSMEDI, inaugurated the expo, with NGO Rangaresha Founder Vishakha Rao, as the guest of honour.
Several other prominent personalities also addressed sessions and events, such as Bhawna Janbandhu, Vijayashree Khanorkar, Rahul Mishra, Rachana Wazalwar, S.R. Masram, and Maithili Kowe, besides an entertainment show by Smita Khangan on the last day of the expo.
An official from the expo spoke about the fact that the vital role that MSMEs play in a country’s national economic development, has become increasingly evident, with India having become a definitive “testing ground” for emerging Indian women entrepreneurs.
He added, “Indian women are not only educated, but talented, confidently assertive, ambitious, career oriented and independent-minded with good managerial skills and risk-taking abilities. The Centre is actively undertaking promotion of women entrepreneurs through different schemes, incentives and promotions.”
Content Team
Himanshu
Shree Lahiri
