Six rural West Bengal women entrepreneurs were honored by VFS Capital Limited, a renowned NBFC-MFI with headquarters in Kolkata, for being courageous enough to defy stereotypes and enter the business world to fight poverty and live a decent life. Shri Dinesh Kumar Khara, Chairman of the State Bank of India attended the award ceremony and presented the entrepreneurs with their awards.

The women entrepreneurs who were felicitated are:

• Raunaque Jahan Ansari, a resident of Bankra Howrah, is into the readymade clothing business
• Mala Manna, a resident of Amta, Howrah. She is in the Stamp Ticket business
• Rumpa Dolui, a resident of Ranihati, Howrah, and her entrepreneurial venture is into Zari Work
• Papiya Manna, a resident of Jujarsaha, Howrah, and she is into Tailoring work
• Sagari Ruidas, a resident of Panpur, Howrah, sells Sarees
• Chaitali Chakraborty, a resident of Bilaspur, Howrah, sells phenyl

These female entrepreneurs overcame many obstacles and hurdles to establish prosperous small and microbusinesses in their specialized industries. They have not only improved the lives of their families but also given their communities access to jobs.

The VFS Capital-organized event showcased the effectiveness of women entrepreneurs in reducing poverty and spurring economic development. These female entrepreneurs have received financial help and training from VFS Capital as they travel their entrepreneurial path. In addition to helping these women achieve their goals and their contributions have boosted the local economy and opened up job chances for others.

Another event highlight was the launch of noted author, Tamal Bandyopadhyay’s book ‘Roller Coaster: An Affair with Banking’. The special session around the launch of this book was organized in association with Jaico Publishing House.

The event was also attended by Soma Sankara Prasad, MD & CEO, UCO Bank, Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, MD & CEO, Bandhan Bank, Harsh V Lodha, Chairperson, MP Birla Group, Partha Sarathi Bhattacharyya, Chairperson, Peerless Group, and former Chairman, Coal India, and D.N. Ghosh, former Chairperson, SBI, and Chairman Emeritus of ICRA Limited.

Priyanka Dutta