Palladium India and Humara Bachpan Trust Celebrate International Women’s Day with ‘Paramarsha Shibir’ Event

Bhubaneswar : In a celebration of International Women’s Day, Palladium India and the Humara Bachpan Trust (HBT) joined forces to host the “Paramarsha Shibir” event on March 11, 2024, under Swakalpa initiative. The event marked the successful second phase of Boot Camp-02, a transformative initiative aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs and elevating their businesses.  Distinguished guests Shri Jitendra Mohan Sahoo, GM MSOP WSC, Smt Ratnabala Swain, Director, D N Homes, and Smt Jesleen Lalmuanawmi, Advisor, WSC, graced the occasion with their presence.



Over 100 women mentees from Swakalpa enthusiastically participated in the event, which commenced with registrations and set the stage for a series of impactful activities. The event highlights included the awarding of certificates to accomplished women who successfully completed the Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP) in the Khordha district. In a momentous show of support, Credit Sanctioning Letters were presented to three exemplary women entrepreneurs – Sumitra Sahoo, Sasmita Muduli, and Meenati Sahoo – symbolizing tangible progress and unwavering commitment to their ventures. Furthermore, four candidates pitched their business ideas to a panel of industry experts.



The event witnessed the submission of 11 applications under the MUDRA scheme in various banks such as UCO, SBI, and OGB. Additionally, five applications were submitted under the PM Svanidhi scheme, while 11 applications were filed under SWAYAM. As a crucial step towards financial inclusion, women mentees initiated their digital transaction journey by opening bank accounts with SBI.



Throughout the event, mentees were equipped with vital knowledge and solutions through discussions on essential processes such as Udyam Aadhar Registration, PAN Application submission, FASSAI Application, and Loan Application under schemes like Mudra and PM Svanidhi.



Highlighting the personal transformations brought about by Swakalpa initiative, several women entrepreneurs shared their inspiring journeys during the event, emphasizing the positive impact of entrepreneurship on their lives.



Smt Ratnabala Swain, Director, D N Homes, expressed her happiness on seeing so many women entrepreneurs, she also stated that “Paramarsha Shibir has facilitated them with a one stop solution to the various business requirements and support to  all  the women entrepreneurs and mentoring which is such an essential key part of an entrepreneurial journey is being provided to them which will in turn make them successful entrepreneurs in future.”



Sandeep Lanjewar, Director Palladium India, expressed his enthusiasm for the event, stating, “The ‘Paramarsha Shibir’ event represents a significant milestone in our commitment to empowering women entrepreneurs. By providing a supportive environment and essential resources, the Boot Camp is equipping women with the necessary tools to thrive in their entrepreneurial endeavors. This collective effort reflects our dedication to building a more inclusive and prosperous society.”



Swakalpa, a self-employment and entrepreneurship development initiative led by the Odisha Skill Development Authority, in partnership with the World Skills Center and the Asian Development Bank, with Palladium India serving as the implementation partner. This comprehensive program strives to empower 10,000 enthusiastic youth in Odisha with essential skills and knowledge for self-employment and entrepreneurship, with the goal of establishing a minimum of 1,000 micro-businesses across the state. To date, Swakalpa has made significant strides, spanning 27 districts, enrolling over 8,800 candidates, including more than 6,300 women.