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Tag: PRADAN

  • From dream to reality: Stories of women entrepreneurs defining success in India

    From dream to reality: Stories of women entrepreneurs defining success in India

    Mumbai: India has witnessed a transformative shift in recent years, with women stepping into the entrepreneurial spotlight like never before. From bustling metropolises to quiet towns, women entrepreneurs are redefining success, breaking stereotypes, and proving that ambition knows no gender. These trailblazers are not just building businesses; they’re inspiring generations, fostering innovation, and contributing significantly to the country’s economic and social growth.

    This piece celebrates the incredible journeys of women who dared to dream and turned their aspirations into thriving realities. With grit, creativity, and unwavering determination, these women are reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape of India one venture at a time.

    Meet these women entrepreneurs, who dared to dream and established themselves in different sectors through their hard work and creating a new benchmark in their sectors.

    Dr. Preeti Jain, founder of JewelsByPreeti: On the occasion of Women Entrepreneurship Day, one thing I would like to emphasize the most as the founder of my brand “Jewels by Preeti” is that sometimes it is crucial to take an unconventional path and not follow the mainstream career path, especially as a woman entrepreneur.

    From my personal experience and talking about my career trajectory, what kept me level-headed on my entrepreneurship journey was my risk-taking capability and my relentless passion for jewelry. What I learned through my years of experience is that you need to prioritize customers’ changing needs and keep innovations at the forefront always to stay ahead.

    Shivani Gupta founder of Vanika Fashions: The inspiring journeys of women in the Chikankari industry have not only broken barriers but have also redefined entrepreneurship in a way that bridges tradition and innovation. The talented artisans are more than just custodians of a centuries-old craft—they are emerging as business owners, designers, and community leaders who are reshaping the narrative around entrepreneurship. Every stitch they create weaves a story of resilience, creativity, and determination, proving that women can transform traditional art forms into thriving, sustainable enterprises with the right opportunities and support.

    Women Entrepreneurship Day celebrates such remarkable stories, showcasing the indomitable spirit of women who overcome social and economic barriers to achieve success. The women of the Chikankari industry exemplify this spirit, turning their heritage into a source of empowerment for themselves and their communities. By establishing collectives, engaging in market negotiations, and innovating with contemporary designs, they not only preserve this intricate craft but also generate livelihoods for hundreds of others, particularly women. The success serves as a beacon of inspiration, illustrating the transformative power of entrepreneurship to break the glass ceiling. It underscores the importance of creating inclusive ecosystems that empower women to lead, innovate, and contribute significantly to the economy.

    Sarbani Bose, Integrator at PRADAN: Breaking the glass ceiling in India’s entrepreneurial landscape is more than just a phrase, it’s a movement led by resilient women reshaping industries, communities, and the economy. Across rural and urban areas, women are redefining entrepreneurship, leveraging generations of expertise in crafts, agriculture, and small enterprises to create sustainable, impactful businesses.

    The inspiring journeys of women Farmer Producer Company (FPC) members illustrate the transformative power of collective farming and sustainable practices. With organized support and market access, they’re able to use scientific methods and eco-friendly innovations like solar dryers and organic techniques to improve their lives and their communities. These women are creating consistent income, ensuring fair prices, and tackling poverty by reducing the need for seasonal migration and distress selling. Their stories remind us that when barriers are broken and women are empowered, they not only uplift themselves but their entire villages. These journeys show that women have the potential to drive an inclusive, thriving ecosystem, becoming true agents of change and resilience in India’s rural economy.

  • “Saath saath naye Prabhat ki or –” – Prasoon Joshi pens lyrics for PRADAN’s anthem on collaboration

    “Saath saath naye Prabhat ki or –” – Prasoon Joshi pens lyrics for PRADAN’s anthem on collaboration

    Mumbai: Celebrated lyricist and Padma Shri Award winner, Prasoon Joshi, known for his popular, chart-busting songs of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Rang De Basanti and Taare Zameen Par, to name just a few, wielded his magic to write the lyrics for PRADAN, a leading NGO in the country working with tribal and backward communities. The “Anthem” celebrated the spirit of collaboration and working together – a value PRADAN espouses in all the development work it engages in. Prasoon’s strong social conscience is reflected in the work he has earlier done for campaigns like Malnutrition, Polio Eradication, Women Empowerment, Child Rights, Swachh Bharat and more.

    PRADAN executive director  Saroj Kumar Mahapatra said, “Collaboration and partnerships are key to PRADAN’s growing outreach among the tribal and rural women that we work with. Over our 40 years of working with marginalized communities in the Central India Tribal belt, we have partnered with over 110 Civil Society Organizations, more than 70 Foundations, Private Philanthropies and Corporations and various National, State, District and Local government institutions to multiply the impact of the government’s development schemes and programs. The anthem penned by Prasoon Joshi is our celebration of that spirit of working together, and of empowered communities who have striven continuously to carve out a brighter future for themselves, and for the societies that they live in”.

    “Song composition and film production are highly collaborative efforts, and the magic happens only when various parts of the team come together seamlessly to create a symphony of sorts. I am highly appreciative of the part that PRADAN and many such organizations are playing in supporting sustainable, inclusive development work in the country by coming together, thinking together and working together to help India realize some of its SDGs while engaging with communities at the grassroots and finding local solutions for local problems. The anthem is my way of showing support to the cause of collaborative problem solving”, reflected Prasoon on his motivation to pen the anthem lyrics.

    Indian filmmaker Kireet Khurana winner of six president’s National Film Awards and 18 international awards for his cinematic works, who directed the film under his banner – Climb Media, exuded, “Conceptualising the film was a challenge as development work is so profound and generational changing that it is difficult to capture its widespread impact. Executing the film was another major challenge, as I wanted to cast the actual tribal villagers that PRADAN and its partner organizations work with, and get them to do role plays, without making the film look contrived. It was also my responsibility to make the film stimulating without losing its earthy and realistic feel. Prasoon’s soulful lyrics really helped elevate the visualisation to the next level. I hope the film will motivate development agencies and communities to work together to empower and help transform the lives of the people in what was hitherto an impoverished hinterland.”

    The film captures the empowering essence of collaboration, even as it briefly “Relives” the moments of self-doubt that the underserved, marginalised communities are faced with while looking to create a better future for themselves. The film, strung together by a highly inspiring song, traverses the journey of the state (sarkar), funding organizations (bazar) and the civil society (samaj) actors coming together to support the communities to help them realize their vision of a better, brighter tomorrow (“Naya prabhat”).