Proving wrong the general notion that two women can’t get along with each other, more than 150 women entrepreneurs from Goa have gathered under the larger umbrella of the organisation, ‘Amhi Udyogini’ to help each other, grow together and expand their horizons.
Conceptualised and founded by Meenal Mohadikar in Mumbai ‘Amhi Udyogini’ has spread wings across many states in India including Goa, and, transcending boundaries, has even planted itself in Dubai.
Its Goa chapter, established in May 2017, just nine months ago, has grown to over 150 members who are into various businesses. The elderly and experienced have stepped ahead to guide the budding entrepreneurs and pump confidence in them as the goal of ‘Amhi Udyogini’ is to educate women and help them follow their dreams.
The Goa chapter was initiated on May 28, 2017 by Meenal Mohadikar, the founder president of Amhi Udyogini Pratishthan, Mumbai and Anuradha Deshpande was appointed as its president.
Inspired by the motto of Amhi Udyogini, ‘Jidd tumchi, saath aamchi’ (your zest, our support), in less than a year the Goa chapter registered a membership of around 150 active women entrepreneurs. The group meets every month to help and guide women in their particular businesses.
Anuradha Deshpande, president of Amhi Udyogini, Goa chapter recalls, “Our first meeting was held in June 2017, the following month of inception on Pradhanmantri Mudra Scheme where officer of State Bank of India Amruta Tulaskar elaborated about the scheme and its benefits to those present. In July’s interactive session, ‘Marketing’ was our topic of discussion where I shared my knowledge with our members,” stated Anuradha, CEO, PerfectM HR Academy Pvt Ltd.
Apart from Anuradha Deshpande, the core committee at Goa chapter comprises of Usha Pathak, Sunita Rajmane, Ujwala Acharekar, Ujwala Acharya, Madhuri Chiplunkar and Sucheta Malkarnekar - all of whom are into various businesses. Since most of the women entrepreneurs in Goa indulge in snacks and catering business which requires obtaining FDA licence from the Directorate of Food and Drug Processing, an officer from the department Richard Noronha was invited. Another dignitary and chartered accountant Rajendra Bhobe too offered guidance to the members of Amhi Udyogini in the same session held in August.
“The theme in the month of September focused on Diwali and owing to the large scale business transactions during this festival, we offered our members to advertise about their products in our monthly meeting.” observed Usha Pathak.
Every monthly meeting would equip the women with various skills. A presentation on making sanitary pads and the information about this industry was offered by Priyankit Pawar of Akar Innovations, Belapur in October while in November Anil Tendulkar, Pujan Makwana and Mohini Kerkar of Economic Development Corporation (Goa) informed about Chief Minister’s Employment Scheme.
In December 2017, Sarita Chauhan, an internationally acclaimed chef from Goa shared her success story in an open interview. January 2018 began with Sonali Nagvekar’s unfolding of their family business of jewellery making. Sonali, the owner of Sainath Jwellers (Panaji) also shared thoughts on the peculiarity of typical Goan style of jewellery. Utkarsha Banastekar showcased pearl jewellery and Shilpa Kulkarni informed about fashion and imitation jewellery. February was marked by the story of ‘kapiyali’ making by Sucheta Malkarnekar and baby cloth stitching by Maheshwari Valvaikar.
