Kalraj Mishra launches support cell 'SWAYAM' for women entrepreneurs

Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Kalraj Mishra launched 'SWAYAM', a support cell for women entrepreneurs to seek proposals for starting enterprises by them through the use of social media.

Speaking at the event, he urged FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) to reach out to women colleges for

consultancy and mentoring of aspiring entrepreneurs in keeping in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Start-up India, Stand-up India'.

"I believe that unless we rekindle the spirit of entrepreneurship amongst women, the nation cannot progress," said Mishra.

"Therefore, it was imperative to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship which was ingrained in the youth of the country," he added.

To provide support to the new and existing women entrepreneurs, FLO has created a consultancy and mentorship cell 'SWAYAM' across India.

FLO works with the main aim to promote entrepreneurship and professional excellence to women. It plays an important role of connecting women entrepreneurs to the right service providers.

Mishra said, "Women embodies the power that flows 'Saraswati' (learning), 'Lakshmi' (wealth) and 'Durga' (morality and righteousness). If this power can be harnessed for enterprise start-ups, a web of innovative enterprises would be spread all across the country, proving jobs to lakhs of needy people."

He also inaugurated the SWAYAM website.

Ravindra Nath, the CMD of National Small Industries Corporation, stated that a survey by Dell Women's Global Entrepreneurship reveals optimism and opportunity for women owned businesses in India.

He offered the use of NSIC grounds free of cost for exhibiting the products made by women entrepreneurs promoted by FLO.

FLO president Archana Garodia Gupta on her part said mentorship and guidance is a tool that has the potential to help women entrepreneurs grow their businesses.

"The objective of SWAYAM is to link FLO women as mentors to women entrepreneurs in 15 locations pan India," she added.

FLO has conceptualized and created this dynamic platform for potential and existing women entrepreneurs to be benefitted from a wide array of mentors, which includes business mentors, honorary panelists and professional panelists. These will be professionals providing consultancy services at standard reasonable rate.

The occasion also saw a panel discussion on challenges faced by women entrepreneurs by speakers such as Ameera Shah, MD and CEO, Metropolis; Anisha Singh, CEO and Founder, Mydala.com and Sumita Ghose, Director, Rangsutra Crafts India Ltd.