THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JULY 31, 2026

"Women-led development is at the heart of Odisha's vision to become a US$1 trillion economy," asserted Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Friday while addressing the 4th Edition of CII Indian Women Network (IWN) Shakti Samman 2026, underlining that empowering women entrepreneurs is no longer a social aspiration but an economic necessity.

Celebrating the remarkable achievements of women leaders across sectors, the event also marked a significant boost to women-led enterprise with the signing of 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹913 crore, expected to create nearly 4,000 employment opportunities in the state.

Speaking at the event, Garg highlighted the resilience of women entrepreneurs who continue to overcome deep-rooted social and traditional barriers to build successful enterprises. She said women constitute nearly half of Odisha's population, making their participation in entrepreneurship, employment and economic activities indispensable for the state's long-term growth. She also pointed to the positive impact of the Subhadra Scheme, noting that women beneficiaries are increasingly investing financial assistance in children's education, entrepreneurship and other income-generating activities, thereby strengthening household and community economies.

The grand celebration organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Women Network Odisha brought together policymakers, industry leaders and entrepreneurs to reaffirm the state's commitment to inclusive and women-led development.

Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma said Odisha is witnessing a rapid rise in women entrepreneurship across diverse sectors beyond traditional industries, including plastics, food processing, FMCG and domestic appliances. While describing entrepreneurship as a challenging journey, he observed that women entrepreneurs have consistently demonstrated higher success rates. He further informed that District Investment Promotion Agencies (DIPAs) have been established in every district and have already processed more than 3,000 applications, creating wider opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs across Odisha.

Welcoming the gathering, Anil Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council, said the programme celebrated not just individual success stories but leadership that inspires transformation. He noted that entrepreneurship demands perseverance, commitment and hard work, adding that the investment commitments formalised through the MoUs reflected growing confidence in women-led enterprises.

Adding to the discussion, Chitra Arumugam, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, highlighted the inspiring journey of women entrepreneurs and their growing contribution to Odisha's sustainable and equitable economic development. She said women are playing an increasingly significant role in shaping both the state's economy and society.

The evening's biggest attraction was the felicitation of 36 outstanding women achievers under CII IWN Shakti Samman 2026. The awards recognised excellence across healthcare, environment and sustainability, startups, academia, media and entertainment, sports, cottage and small-scale industries, social development and entrepreneurship. The awardees were honoured for their leadership, innovation, resilience and enduring contribution to society.

Concluding the programme, Zubina Ali, Chairperson, CII IWN Odisha, thanked the Government of Odisha, industry leaders, partners, jury members and participants for making the fourth edition of Shakti Samman a meaningful celebration of women's leadership and achievements.

Over the years, CII IWN Shakti Samman has evolved into one of Odisha's most prestigious platforms for recognising women who have broken barriers, inspired communities and created lasting social and economic impact. This year's edition reinforced the message that empowering women is not only about recognition but also about creating opportunities, investments and policies that position women as the driving force behind Odisha's inclusive growth story.