The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has started an ambitious initiative, ‘Faral Sakhi’, to empower women entrepreneurs in the city of Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. In collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of Niti Aayog, the program aims to provide essential training, resources, and opportunities for women engaged in the production of traditional festive snacks (‘Faral’), helping them build sustainable businesses.
‘Faral Sakhi’ is designed to support women entrepreneurs by offering them technical training in business operations. This will equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively manage and grow their ventures. A key feature of the initiative is the establishment of a central kitchen by MBMC, where women from self-help groups (SHGs) can prepare snacks in a professional setting.
Additionally, MBMC aids the women by providing sales spaces and promoting their products through municipal advertisements. The initiative achieved notable success during the Diwali season, with more than 3 tons of snacks sold due to their superior quality.
In total, 25 women will be selected for the technical training, which will be conducted by the Centre for Education, Governance, and Public Policy (CEGP Foundation). The training will focus on business operations, helping participants learn how to establish sustainable businesses that contribute to the local economy.
WEP, which was incubated by Niti Aayog in 2018, has since evolved into a public-private partnership with the aim of empowering women entrepreneurs by overcoming information asymmetry and providing a comprehensive support system across multiple pillars. These include access to finance, market linkages, mentoring, networking, business development services, and legal assistance.
This partnership with MBMC marks an important step in WEP’s ongoing efforts to support women-led businesses. As part of its 'Award to Reward' initiative, WEP is bringing together various stakeholders to collaborate and align their resources for creating scalable and sustainable programs that empower women entrepreneurs. Over 30,000 women entrepreneurs are already part of the WEP ecosystem, and this collaboration with MBMC seeks to expand this reach, creating a thriving environment for women-led businesses in Mira Bhayandar.
“Supporting women entrepreneurs is crucial for achieving women-led development. WEP provides comprehensive support, from training to access to resources and networks. By integrating the 'Faral Sakhi' initiative into the 'Award to Reward' program, we are not just creating businesses but also inspiring societal transformation,” said Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser at NITI Aayog and Mission Director of WEP.
Shri Sanjay Katkar, Municipal Commissioner of MBMC, emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, “The ‘Faral Sakhi’ program represents a significant step toward the holistic development of women entrepreneurs. Through this partnership, we are preparing the women of Mira Bhayandar to lead sustainable industries and inspire future generations.”
The 'Faral Sakhi' initiative is a model for similar empowerment programs across India, showcasing how targeted support and training can help women entrepreneurs flourish in traditional industries while fostering economic growth and societal change.
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