Report on Awareness Programme for Women Entrepreneurs in Assam
Topic: Marketing Management
Organized by: Ministry of MSME, Government of India
Under: Management Development Programme (MDP)
Venue: PragyaShree, Dhekiajuli, Sonitpur, Assam
Date: 21st–25th November 2022
Resource Person: Mr. Amit Raj Konwar, Social Entrepreneur, Founder & CEO, Edupur Foundation
The awareness programme, conducted under the Ministry of MSME’s Management Development Programme (MDP), featured a dynamic session led by Mr. Amit Raj Konwar, a social entrepreneur and the Founder & CEO of Edupur Foundation. The session focused on women’s entrepreneurship, decision-making, marketing, and economic empowerment. Mr. Konwar opened with an engaging introduction to the basics of business, emphasizing the significance of strategic decision-making. He assigned a reflective task to the participants encouraging them to list 50 skills they are passionate about, explore each gradually, and eventually narrow down to one core area of expertise after 3–6 months of focused practice. This exercise aimed to help women discover their true entrepreneurial potential through experience and self-awareness.
Throughout the session, Mr. Konwar responded to real-life concerns. One participant, Swapna Devi from Dhekiajuli, shared her experience of facing resistance from her family and husband while trying to start a tailoring business. Addressing her concern, Mr. Konwar highlighted how success is a powerful tool to challenge patriarchal attitudes, reminding everyone that social perceptions often change when women achieve financial independence. He drew attention to the continued dominance of patriarchal norms, as reflected in stereotypical questions women often face, such as, “Why should a woman engage in business?”.
To support aspiring entrepreneurs, he discussed the importance of building a clear roadmap for business, documenting their progress, and maintaining a portfolio including photos with clients to enhance visibility. He advised women not to rely solely on banks or external investors, stressing the importance of having supportive partners who stand with them through both profit and loss. He also shared insights into emerging opportunities, like nursing and home care services, particularly in families where both spouses work and require care for elderly parents.Mr. Konwar emphasized the power of marketing and digital presence, urging women to create websites, share their work online, and maintain achievement albums to showcase their skills and build credibility. He explained how MSME and MDP initiatives serve as a backbone for aspiring women entrepreneurs by offering training, guidance, and network support. The session concluded with a vote of thanks and an open invitation to stay connected with Edupur Foundation for continued learning and growth.
(MSME)MDP on Marketing Management :
The video is about 25 of local women entrepreneurs in dhekiajuli who shares their stories who run businesses in beauty parlour, weaving, tailoring,homemade food(achar) and tuitions , designing like (mehendi, fabric etc.)
Women entrepreneurs in dhekiajuli and their problems and solutions:
- ☐ Lack of Capital , family and social pressure, limited market access, dependency on husband
To support the women entrepreneurs of Dhekiajuli, a digital solution has been planned. Each woman will be provided with a dedicated business website that showcases her work such as beauty services, tailoring, weaving, homemade food, mehendi, or fabric designing. These websites will include photos of their products or services, their business stories, contact details, and if possible, booking or online order features. In addition, each woman will have a personal portfolio a digital profile that focuses her name, background, business type, key skills, work samples, and customer reviews. These portfolios will help them present their work professionally to NGOs, exhibitions, or customers. The main goal is to give these women a digital identity, increase their visibility in the market, attract more customers, and help them become financially independent and confident entrepreneurs.During the MSME session on Marketing Management, we had the chance to interact with several inspiring women entrepreneurs from Dhekiajuli and nearby areas. They openly shared their stories — their hopes, their problems, and what they wish for in the future. Here are four of women entrepreneurs work and their problems and sir’s explanation
1. Swapna Devi – DhekiajuliSwapna ji started her beauty parlour after marriage. She first learned the skills from her relative and then decided to open her own setup. She also says Before marriage, we’re known by our parents. After marriage, by our husbands. But now I want to be known by my own name.Her biggest struggle is financial limitations — it’s hard to grow the business without money.Sir’s Response- Sir suggested that she doesn’t have to do it alone. If she joins hands with 9 other women, and each contributes even a small amount like ₹10,000, they can raise ₹1 lakh together —enough to start or expand a business. This is the SHG (Self Help Group) modelHe also said:Once you start, don’t stop until you succeed. Create a daily roadmap — even small steps count.Swapna devi also raised a concern men in awareness programs don’t always understand women’s potential. Sir replied that actions speak louder than words .if women prove their capabilities through success, others will eventually understand on their own.
2. Shilpi Saikia – DhekiajuliShilpi ji runs a tailoring, makeup, and beauty parlour business. Financially, she’s stable, but emotionally, she struggles. Her husband doesn’t see her work as important, believing she’s only meant for household duties.What made her stand out is her vision she doesn’t want to walk alone. She said she wants to grow with 200 women like her and take everyone forward.Sir’s Response:Sir appreciated her leadership spirit. He said if she becomes successful, that’s the strongest message she can give -“If you show what you can do, people will understand. You don’t even need to explain – your results will speak.”
3. Kabita Kalita – SirajuliKabita ji has been a tailoring teacher since 2010 and has trained over 45 students. She’s passionate and hardworking but faces a major hurdle: her area is remote and lacks exposure.Sir’s Response:Sir advised her to start collecting testimonials from her students their feedback can be a powerful tool to prove her work to outsiders. These testimonials can be added to her digital portfolio or business website, increasing her visibility and trust.
4. Pinkumoni Baisya – Dhekiajuli Pinku moni ji runs a tailoring business and shared something beautiful . her customers came not through ads but by word of mouth. One happy customer told another, and slowly her client base started growing.Sir’s Response: Sir gave a simple but powerful idea -“Start taking photos with your customers today, people trust businesses that show real faces.”This will make her more recognizable, relatable, and will help in growing her brand identity.
