Odisha CM Inaugurates INWEC Women's Business Fair in Bhubaneswar

By: WE staff | Thursday, 1 May 2025

• Bhubaneswar hosted the INWEC Women's Business Fair at the Exhibition Grounds
• Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the event
• The air was charged with vitality, motivation, and entrepreneurial drive

Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar, was abuzz with energy and hope as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the INWEC Women's Business Fair at the Exhibition Grounds. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the ICC National Women's Entrepreneurship Council (INWEC), the fair was announced a "Festival of Women's Power," and the focus was laid on the contribution made by women in leading economic transformation.

At the function, Chief Minister Majhi appealed that Odisha women's empowerment is not just a slogan, but a mission. "There ought to be the dream—and determination—to aim for it every Odisha woman has," he asserted. He likened the fair to be a source of encouragement for all women in the country to go entrepreneurial. Emphasizing the success of such programs as the Excellence Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave and Subhadri Shakti Mela, he pointed towards the increasing power of women to shape the development narrative of the state.

Mohan was proud to announce two flagship schemes: Subhadra Yojana and Lakhpati Didi Yojana. The Subhadra Yojana, for economic independence, has already covered more than 90 percent of women in the state. In contrast, the Lakhpati Didi Yojana has empowered 17 lakh women to earn more than one lakh rupees annually. Odisha, he added, is charting the country's course with a vision to create 25 lakh such "Lakhpati Didis" by 2027.

The Chief Minister highlighted the state's emphasis on equipping women entrepreneurs to compete globally through investments in skills, markets, and finance inclusion. "When women succeed, society at large prospers," he said, assuring that women would be at the forefront of achieving a prosperous Odisha by 2036.

Sampada Chandra Swain, Industry, Skill Development, and Technical Education Minister, termed the fair a strong platform for developing women enterprises. He had referred to women entrepreneurs as "voices of change" who would contribute to building a financially empowered Odisha.

Hemant Sharma, Industries and MSME Additional Chief Secretary, spoke of synergy between new technology and old industries and how it would empower women to lead and drive innovations in a different manner. The event welcomed stalwarts from the ICC in the form of Chairperson Rajiv Sahu, INWEC Co-Convenor Swati Kejriwal, Vice Chairperson Preeti Pallavi Patnaik, and Convener Dharmaditya Patnaik that lent wholeheartedness towards empowering businesswomen.

The event was attended by an upbeat mix of women-owned businesses, from craft to fashion, wellness, and technology companies. Hands-on sessions, panels, and networking gave supporters an idea of how to grow businesses, access funds, and the direction of the market. Success stories of women who had benefited from government support were the icing on the cake.