✍️By Special Correspondent
“The Skill Development Committee” and ‘Power Women Cell’ of “The Entrepreneurs’ Committee” of The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized their signature programme on women empowerment – “New Era in Women Entrepreneurship:- Strategic and Next Gen Business Skills in the New Normal”, on 23rd September 2021 at Williamson Magor Hall, The Bengal Chambers premises to salute, motivate and encourage Women Entrepreneurs who have steered through the pandemic and became ever stronger.
Women have always been instrumental in managing and successfully resolving any crisis or challenge be at home front or business, through their adaptability to new skills and opportunities and empathetic approach to human resources. Although many businesses had been affected adversely during lockdown, many new possibilities of going digital have opened new avenues of new age businesses and employment. In this conclave, we are humbled to honor the remarkable work and contribution of some women entrepreneurs’ who have not only handled the pandemic situation successfully but have also been a source of motivation and strength to the community and social ecosystem in general.
Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal graced the program as Chief Guest. Ms. Shaon Sen, WBCS (Executive), Addl. Director, SUDA, Addl. Mission Director NULM Joint Secretary, Department of Urban Development & Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.
Ms. Minu Budhia, Psychotherapist & Counselor, Founder-Director of Caring Minds, ICanFlyy, was felicitated as the Iconic Woman Entrepreneur by Dr. Shashi Panja, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, Department of Women & Child Development and Social Welfare, Government of West Bengal on behalf of the Chamber. Ms. Shaleni S Biswas, Managing Director, Easy Note Stationery Pvt. Ltd. and Ms. Sudarshana Gangulee, Director, Mani Group received awards for being Role Models in Women Entrepreneurship.
Ms. Kamalini Paul, Managing Director, Paulson Hotel & Resorts Pvt Ltd, received award for Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur in Hospitality Sector, Ms. Shreyasee Karmakar, Director, S&IB Services Pvt Ltd, eas awarded as Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur in Security & Services Sector, Ms. Arpita Dasgupta, Founder and Director, Kriya Infotainment Pvt Ltd, was awarded as Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur in Media and Branding Solution. Ms. Rina Paul, was felicitated for being Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur in Retail Sector and Ms. Chameli Das was honoured as Next Gen Woman Entrepreneur in Textile Sector
Mr. Deb A Mukherjee, President, The Bengal Chamber, said “We recognize and encourage women empowerment through entrepreneurship which leads to gender equality – a goal set by United Nations. As a responsible Chamber we would help with action in this regard to build a better and sustainable future.”
At a glance – Achievement of Swayamsiddha since inception
Ø Brought 8,60,864 urban poor Households under the fold of 71000 SHGs
Ø 66,392 of SHGs received Revolving Fund (RF) (Rs.93.58 Crore)
Ø 801929 Members of SHGs received BOT and BOA Training
Ø 70 of City Livelihood Centres are providing services to the residents of 70 ULBs
Ø Rs.1210 Crore loan disbursed to 31600 SHGs.
Ø Rs. 60.75 Crore Loan disbursed to 5626 individual Micro Entrepreneurs
Ø Rs. 15 Crore Interest subvention released to 37226 SEP beneficiaries
Ø 93732 candidates have completed skill training
Ø 34694 Candidates have been employed through skill training
Ø 38 Shelters for Urban Homeless are functional and 34 are in under construction.
Ø 1 lakh hawker received a grant @ Rs.2000/- per hawker under Hawker Support Scheme -2020
Initiative to empower Women entrepreneur
Ø Entrepreneur Development training provided to the SHGs and Self-employment beneficiaries .RCETs are the training partner.
Ø Exhibition cum sale of SHG product in all district towns have been planned in upcoming festive season. The State Swayamsiddha Mela 2021 was organized to give a bigger imputes to marketing , sale and booking of their products. Total sale value was Rs. 2,00,20,474.
Ø MOU signed with Amazon and Flipkart for marketing of SHG product on E-Commerce platforms members have been provided training in Retail sector for online sale of marketing and sale on E-Commerce and Social media.
Ø Many ULBs registered SHGs (involved in food and catering business) into Food delivery Application like Swiggy, Zomato after Fassai licence. Skill training on Food product packaging allocated for these SHGs in 12 ULBs.
Ø Allocation done in 22 ULBs for Women Driving training for 2-Wheeler and 4-Wheeler training. Driving license and Accidental Insurance will be provided to trained women candidates.
Beautician and Tailoring hub will be set up in ULBs where training completed in FY 2020-21 and 2021-22. Training Institute is to set up for the interiors and equipment. Space to be provided by the respective Municipality / Corporation.