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EDII REPORTS 121 EDII REPORTS 121

limpses of EDII trained women entrepreneurs being awarded by Shri Rakesh Sharma, President-EDII and
Addressing women entrepreneurs, students, and academicians as well as experts from MD & CEO, IDBI Bank Ltd. in the presence of esteemed Board Members (R-L) Shri Manoj Mittal,
different sectors, Smt Rekha Sharma in her inaugural speech said, “There has been a GManaging Director & Chief Executive Officer, IFCI Ltd.; Dr. Milind Kamble, Founder Chairman (DICCI);
growing awareness about raising the social and economic status of women in society Dr. Sunil Shukla, DG EDII; Dr. Sailendra Narain, Former Chairman & Managing Director (SIDBI) &
with increased focus on education, training and handholding. This is a great Shri Anil Bhardwaj, Secretary General (FISME); during the mid-term review of the EDII Business Strategy
development as women continue to remain under represented on almost every (2019-2024) and 126th EDII Governing Board Meeting, at Goa on January 29th & 30th, 2023.
platform that requires them to wield power and decision-making authority. We want
more and more women to come to the fore and break stereotypes and barriers that
hinder growth. We all want to witness an inclusive and equitable society. Women
should take calculated risks, become economically independent, focus on business
networking and avoid crumbling under peer pressure.”

Guest of Honour, Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities,
said, “Women do step out with big dreams but as they progress towards the top, their
participation and representation decreases glaringly. Women should refrain from
creating an invisible glass ceiling of contentment and continue to rise. The society also
needs to stop stereotyping women and give them a more warm welcome for bigger, EDII trained women entrepreneurs being
unconventional roles. Women need to hold hands of other women and encourage each awarded by Shri Rakesh Sharma, President -
EDII and MD & CEO, IDBI Bank Ltd.
other on the way.”

In his address , Mr. Romit Sen, Sr. Vice President, Corporate Sustainability, HSBC India said, Ms. Mona Khandar, Principal Secretary, Finance Dept ( Economic Affairs) , Govt. of
“Skill development has really played a big role in bringing women to the forefront. Along Gujarat, “Gujarat has a significant presence of MSMEs and women play a major role in
with women, the society as a whole also needs to be sensitized so that there is an this. There are some immensely progressive government schemes and subsidies to
encouraging systemic change. HSBC's HMI project has focused on skilling women and encourage women to become entrepreneurs. Women-led startups are coming up now in
empowering them by ensuring sustainable livelihood options for them. Today these various promising domains, and I see a future where women will establish their strong
trained women beneficiaries are financially independent and are in a much better place to identities in the sphere of entrepreneurship.”
think creatively and implement winning business strategies for growth.

Dr. Sunil Shukla in his remarks on the occasion, said, “The economy can experience Dr. Rachana Gemavat, Chairperson FICCI FLO Ahmedabad said, “We as a society need to
balanced growth only when women are encouraged to nurture their creativity and spirit support women in breaking barriers and handhold them in donning the role of enablers.
of innovation. It is great to see how New India is providing winning platforms to women This will lead to a significant growth for the economy. A conducive support system that
through innovative schemes and networking opportunities. Through its various instills confidence in women and encourages them to rise above the fear of failure will
programmes and projects focused on entrepreneurship & skill development, EDII has work wonders on helping women rise and shine.”
sought to enhance the incidence of women-owned enterprises. I am happy that at the
national and state levels, several efforts are being put in place to encourage women to
step to the forefront.”

As part of the conclave, an exhibition by EDII-trained women entrepreneurs under various
projects, was also organised.

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