Bihar Women Entrepreneurs Thrive with Government Support and Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh
With the meaningful efforts of the Bihar government, the women of the state are becoming self-reliant, empowered and economically strong. The women associated with the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh under the state government are an example of this. By joining the Mahila Udyog Sangh, women are making their mark by becoming successful entrepreneurs in every field.
Sajiya Kaiser, a woman entrepreneur associated with the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh and founder of 'Revival Footwear', deals in shoes. Sajiya says that business is a gender neutral field and understanding this, the Bihar government has opened new avenues for women, which is giving strength to women. Sajiya says that initially she was not getting any guidance for business understanding and expansion of business, but by joining the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh, she is able to give more strength to her business. She further says that the government has given a big platform to thousands of women associated with the Udyog Sangh, due to which small as well as big works are getting recognition and respect. Sajiya says that Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh is working in the field of upliftment of women of the state, through this women are able to provide market to their skills. She says that Nitish government has praised and encouraged the work and skills of women and has given them market, due to which women of the state are emerging as successful entrepreneurs without any hesitation. Many women have also started successful start-ups by joining Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh.
Before joining Mahila Udyog Sangh, Sajiya's business turnover was zero, along with this networking was also a big issue, but with the two fairs organized in a year, her business made a mark in the market. Holi Mela was organized in Patna recently in which her business benefited by lakhs of rupees.
After joining Bihar Udyog Sangh, a big turnover is being seen in women's business. Through Udyog Sangh, women entrepreneurs are connecting with customers as well as other businessmen and international market.
Mala, who has worked with Udyog Sangh, is successfully running 'Shilp Shri Private Limited'. She says that Mahila Udyog Sangh has made her business dynamic. In 2002, Mala started business in the field of handicrafts, after which in 2005 she joined Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh and met government, non-governmental organizations and businessmen through fairs. After joining this, her self-esteem also increased. Mala says that initially her turnover was 10 lakh rupees which has now increased to 80-90 lakh rupees. Along with this, she is empowering 300 other women by providing them employment. She says that every woman associated with Bihar Mahila Sangh is working towards making thousands of women self-reliant directly and indirectly. Mala had organized an exhibition of Bihar's handicrafts in a fair organized in the Philippines. This is a sample of the success story of empowering these women economically.
