Mumbai, Jan 3 (NationPress) The Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has introduced a pioneering initiative named ‘Faral Sakhi’, which is focused on empowering women entrepreneurs in the city of Mira Bhayandar.

In collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) under NITI Aayog, MBMC officially launched ‘Faral Sakhi’ as part of the Award to Reward (ATR) program of WEP. This initiative aims to provide extensive training and support to assist women engaged in the production of traditional snacks in scaling their businesses sustainably and efficiently.

The ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative seeks to create lasting job opportunities for women by involving them in the manufacturing and sale of traditional festive snacks, known as ‘Faral’. A central kitchen established by MBMC allows women from self-help groups (SHGs) to create these snacks in a professional environment. Furthermore, MBMC aids these women by facilitating sales venues and promoting their products through municipal advertising.

During the Diwali season, the initiative saw outstanding results, with over 3 tonnes of snacks sold, thanks to their exceptional quality and flavor.

Approximately 25 women from Mira Bhayandar will be chosen for specialized training in business management. This training, conducted by the Centre for Education, Governance, and Public Policy (CEGP Foundation), will empower participants with the necessary skills and insights to build sustainable businesses and enhance the local economy.

The ‘Award to Reward’ (ATR) initiative under WEP provides a user-friendly framework for stakeholders to devise impactful programs. This collaboration emphasizes enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive in local markets and expand their businesses internationally. With more than 30,000 women entrepreneurs already partnered with WEP, this collaboration with MBMC aims to create a flourishing ecosystem for women-led businesses in Mira Bhayandar. Additionally, WEP partner Appreciate will offer financial assistance for this ATR.

"Empowering women entrepreneurs is crucial for achieving women-led development. WEP offers comprehensive support to women entrepreneurs from the initial training phase to accessing resources, mentors, and networks. WEP operates on three core principles to empower women and help them attain self-reliance: Iccha Shakti (the motivation to start and scale a business), Gyaan Shakti (the knowledge to overcome information gaps), and Karma Shakti (the action through guidance and support). By incorporating the ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative into the ‘Award to Reward’ program, we are nurturing the growth of women-led home industries, enabling their evolution into large-scale enterprises. This initiative is not just about creating businesses but also about fostering societal change,” stated Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser, NITI Aayog and Mission Director, WEP.

“The ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative marks a crucial advancement towards the comprehensive development of women entrepreneurs. Through this alliance with WEP, we are equipping the women of Mira Bhayandar to lead sustainable industries and motivate future generations,” commented Sanjay Katkar, Municipal Commissioner of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation.