Women Founders Share Reactions to Union Budget 2026

By: WE Staff

Meenakshi Kumarr, Chef & Founder, Anahata Cafe

Meenakshi Kumarr is a former corporate and criminal lawyer turned farm-to-table entrepreneur, combining culinary creativity with living consciously as the founder of Roots Café by Rural Mitra.

“The Budget’s focus on strengthening the hospitality and food & beverages ecosystem is a welcome step for emerging brands like Anahata Café. Upgrading the National Council for Hotel Management into a National Institute of Hospitality will help create a stronger talent pipeline by aligning academia with industry needs—something the F&B sector has long required. The Divyangjan Kaushal Yojana is especially encouraging, as hospitality and food processing offer meaningful, task-oriented roles that can enable dignified and inclusive employment when supported by customised training. Additionally, the creation of a ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund, along with the Self-Reliant India Fund, will help to nurture SMEs. For women-led F&B and FMCG startups, access to equity capital and risk funding is critical to scaling operations and building resilient supply chains.”