Ashvin Limbachiya, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru:
17 February 2026:
The vibrancy of India’s rural enterprise ecosystem came alive in Bengaluru on February 14, 2026, as WEutsav, a one-day exhibition celebrating rural women entrepreneurship, was held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium. The event was supported by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, and organized by WeAct.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Sunil Shukla (Director General, EDII), in the presence
of Mr. Daniel Thomas (Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility), Prof. Dr. Yathindra
L, (Director – NIFT), Mr. Pinaki Srimany (Associate Vice President, Corporate Social
Responsibility), Mr. Suneel Kumar (Joint Director, DIC, Bengaluru), Ms. Kirthika Tharan
(Founder, Hepta Senz), and Dr. Raman Gujral(Director, Department of CSR Partnerships,
EDII). WEutsav brought together rural women entrepreneurs from 15 states and witnessed
a footfall of approximately 2,000+ visitors. With sales worth Rs. 10,00,000, the exhibition
unfolded a vibrant array of handmade, craft-based, sustainable products rooted in India’s
rich cultural heritage.
Designed as an immersive experience, WEutsav featured state-wise experience zones, live
craft demonstrations, cultural performances, and well-curated sales stalls. Visitors engaged
directly with women entrepreneurs, witnessing the journey of products from raw material
to finished craft, while understanding the stories of resilience, skill, and enterprise behind
each creation.
“WEutsav reflects the strength of women entrepreneurs from across India, bringing their
enterprise, culture, and innovation to a national platform. At EDII, we are committed to
enabling market access, strengthening value chains, and providing the right support systems
so that rural women-led businesses become sustainable and scalable within a defined
timeframe.”-Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of
India At its core, weutsav highlighted the transition from skill development to sustainable
entrepreneurship, emphasizing livelihood creation, women’s economic empowerment, and
access to markets for rural enterprises. The exhibition was open to the public and offered
free entry, attracting students, institutions, corporates, and citizens keen to support
women-led rural businesses.
The event also celebrated individual achievements and impact. Weact member Ms.
Noorjahan was honoured with the University of Notre Dame Award for Business Building
under the Business Initiative, for creating sustainable economic impact through enterprise.
Ms. Sajini and Ms. Renuka were awarded cash prizes of ₹1,70,000 each under the Coca-Cola
Microgrant, in recognition of their efforts to create sustainable livelihoods and drive economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
Weutsav further encouraged youth engagement, with participation from 25+ top colleges
and 50+ college students in an entrepreneurship-focused initiative aimed at fostering
innovation and enterprise thinking. Outstanding student teams were announced as winners
and Recognized for their innovative business ideas, reinforcing the importance of nurturing the
next generation of entrepreneurs. Through weutsav, weact reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by providing women entrepreneurs with visibility, market
linkages, and recognition, with institutional support and guidance from EDII.
About Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)
The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, was set up in 1983
with the support of apex financial institutions – the IDBI Bank Ltd., IFCI Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd.,
State Bank of India (SBI), and the Government of Gujarat. EDII has been recognized as the
CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship,
Government of India. The Institute is closely associated with premier corporates in
implementing their CSR initiatives across the County leading to strengthening of msmes, promotion of women entrepreneurship, and creation of sustainable livelihoods. For more information, visit: www.ediindia.org About weact Weact (Women Entrepreneurs Access Connect Transform) is a national-level initiative formed by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, to
empower rural women entrepreneurs.
It provides hands-on support in business planning, marketing, market access, digital adoption, and financial literacy, helping women-led micro-businesses become sustainable and profitable. Weact’s structure strengthens women’s participation in India’s rural enterprise ecosystem. For more information, visit: www.weact.in
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