Page 47 - EDII Report 136

Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Reports 136 Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India Reports 136

Felicitation...

Last two months were fulfilling…
Women Entrepreneurs in the Spotlight

Ms. Archana Saharia Kalita was honoured during the National Youth Day celebrations on Artisans and handloom weavers often remain
January 12, 2026 for her remarkable work in mushroom cultivation. The award was underutilized due to limited market exposure
presented by Shri Dilip Saikia, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Darrang–Udalguri). and lack of knowledge. Addressing these
challenges, Project Aarohan, supported by
TATA Power and HandMade in India (HMI)
supported by HSBC have been playing a key
role in supporting artisan based enterprises.
Under project HMI, credit linkages amounting
to Rs. 50 Lakh were facilitated. Artisans were
issued 4 Pehchan Cards, 16 Artisan Cards and
56 Handloom Mark certifications were
procured. Additionally, 68 artisan enterprises
were formally registered under the
MSME/Udyam Aadhaar framework. Through
well curated exhibitions and market
platforms, artisans and handloom weavers
Archana has got trained in the MSDP on mushroom cultivation. She completed a month
generated sales of Rs. 23.46 lakh under
course in entrepreneurship development and technical skills. Post her training, she began
project HMI and project Aarohan.
small-scale mushroom cultivation and steadily expanded to over 100 cultivation bags,
eventually establishing ‘Tripti Enterprises’ to ensure consistent production and market 14 entrepreneurs trained under Project
supply. Today, her enterprise provides her & her family with sustainable livelihood. Udyamee 2.0, supported by Utkal Alumina
International Ltd. (UAIL), participated in Chaiti
The Shraddha Handloom, established under the Accenture-supported MSDP, has reached Mela 2025 in Rayagada and Sisira Sarasa Mela
a remarkable milestone through the exemplary leadership of Ms. Panbai Sanjot and her in Bhubaneswar. Through these exhibitions,
the entrepreneurs generated appreciable
husband. The venture has been awarded Second Prize in Handloom Fabric Craft at the
sales. The exhibitions provided them with
State Level Competition.
access to wider markets and enabled direct
interaction with customers. Also, 450
students gained knowledge on the benefits of
pursuing entrepreneurship as a career, under
Project UDAYA 4.0, supported by Tata
Communications Limited in 9 sensitization
and awareness sessions conducted on
Entrepreneurship, in the Raigad and Ratnagiri
districts of Maharashtra.

EDII is closely working with noted corporates
on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
to foster entrepreneurship among women,
youth, PwDs, artisans and marginalized
communities by equipping them with
This accolade was formally conferred by the Cottage & Rural Industries essential skills, knowledge and tools.
Department, Government of Gujarat. The award was presented on January
18, 2026 during the prestigious Vibrant Gujarat Event in Rajkot, recognizing
the enterprise’s contribution to preserving traditional handloom artistry
while embracing entrepreneurial excellence.
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