THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 8, 2026

In a major push towards women-led entrepreneurship and rural economic empowerment, the Odisha Livelihoods Mission (OLM) on Monday joined hands with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide incubation and modern business support to rural women entrepreneurs across the state.

The MoU was exchanged at Mission Shakti Bhawan in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Women & Child Development, Mission Shakti and Tourism, Pravati Parida. The partnership marks a significant milestone in strengthening women-led enterprises under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) through the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme (SVEP).

Under the initiative, IIT Bhubaneswar will serve as the incubation partner and provide comprehensive support to growth-oriented rural enterprises, particularly those led by Self-Help Group (SHG) women. The collaboration aims to equip entrepreneurs with modern business tools and expertise in areas such as business planning, product development, quality enhancement, market linkages, financial access and professional networking.

According to officials, the programme will support at least 150 growth-oriented rural enterprises over the next three years in line with the guidelines of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM). The Ministry of Rural Development has approved an outlay of ₹10.70 crore for the initiative, with ₹99 lakh already sanctioned to IIT Bhubaneswar in the first phase for implementation.

The incubation programme is expected to foster a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem in Odisha and help SHGs evolve into small and medium enterprises. Participating enterprises will receive assistance in obtaining Udyam registration, statutory compliances and essential certifications required for business establishment and expansion. IIT Bhubaneswar will also facilitate patent support and process certifications, enabling select Odisha products to develop distinct market identities and enhance their competitiveness.

Addressing the gathering, Pravati Parida said the State Government is committed not only to making women employable but also to nurturing them into successful entrepreneurs. She noted that the collaboration with a premier institution like IIT Bhubaneswar would open new avenues of growth for SHG women and enable them to showcase their products in national and international markets through advanced training and technical guidance.

Describing the initiative as a landmark step towards building a “Viksit Odisha,” she said it would significantly strengthen women’s confidence, economic independence and leadership in enterprise development.

During the programme, the Deputy Chief Minister also interacted with Mahalakshapati Didis and heard inspiring accounts of their journeys from hardship to entrepreneurial success. The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for women entrepreneurs while contributing to the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the “Viksit Odisha” roadmap of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Among those present were Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary Manasi Nimbhal, Mission Shakti Director Monika Priyadarshini, senior officials of the Mission Shakti Department and Odisha Livelihoods Mission, representatives of IIT Bhubaneswar, Lakhpati Didis and Mahalakshapati Didis. Officials and SHG members from all districts of Odisha also participated virtually.