Two-Day Women Entrepreneurship Programme Launched in Jaipur

Jaipur, February 2026 : A two-day women entrepreneurship programme was inaugurated in Jaipur under the joint aegis of the Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RAJEEVIKA) and the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE) at the Constitution Club of Rajasthan. The programme is being organised under the Women’s International Summit on Entrepreneurship (WISE) 2026, with the objective of promoting women entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive economic development.

Former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje attended the programme as the Chief Guest. The inaugural session was addressed virtually by Smriti Irani, who emphasised empowering women-led enterprises and providing them with wider market access.

Appreciating the work of RAJEEVIKA, Mrs. Vasundhara Raje said that the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ initiative proves that small efforts eventually become the foundation of big success. She said that through RAJEEVIKA, rural women have moved forward with confidence and have performed exceptionally well in innovative activities such as solar lighting. These efforts have not only created a strong identity for women but have also strengthened the rural economy. Such initiatives, she added, are playing a significant role in making women self-reliant and contributing to the overall development of the state.

State Mission Director, RAJEEVIKA, Neha Giri, said that Self-Help Group–based enterprises are emerging as a powerful medium of transformation in the rural economy. She described the programme as an important step towards giving a new direction to women empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Interaction with SHG Women

On this occasion, Mrs. Geeta Devi, a member of the Chamunda Mata Self-Help Group from Keru village in Jodhpur district, got the opportunity to interact with former Chief Minister Mrs. Raje. Geeta Devi presented millet biscuits produced by her company ‘Nevti Sakhi’, which were appreciated by Mrs. Raje.

On the first day, 27 women entrepreneurs from seven districts participated and presented their successful enterprise models. Two special stalls were set up by RAJEEVIKA-associated women, showcasing blue pottery from Jaipur district and jute products from Bharatpur district. The stalls received an enthusiastic response from visitors, buyers, and institutional representatives.

Stall Exhibition and Participation

Former Chief Minister Mrs. Vasundhara Raje visited the stalls set up by RAJEEVIKA SHG women showcasing jute and blue pottery products, appreciated the items, and also purchased some of the products herself.

Women entrepreneurs from 25 cities across the country participated in the programme. The summit is providing an effective platform for branding, buyer–seller interactions, networking, and institutional partnerships, helping rural women entrepreneurs move beyond the micro level and establish sustainable, growth-oriented enterprises.

Emphasis on Financial Empowerment in “Unlocking Capital” Session

A special session titled “Unlocking Capital – Financing Scalable and Impact-Driven Enterprises” was organised as part of the programme.

CEO, Rajasthan Mahila Nidhi (RAJEEVIKA), Dr. Pooja Sharma, said that women entrepreneurs need not only financial support to progress, but also strong networking, effective mentorship, and the trust of family and society. She stated that self-confidence, patience, and sustained effort are the keys to success. For securing funding, she stressed the importance of preparing bankable and well-structured projects and seeking guidance from chartered accountants, lawyers, and other experts to systematically scale enterprises.

The programme is proving to be a strong initiative towards giving national recognition to women entrepreneurship and making rural women economically self-reliant.