Women urged to embrace entrepreneurship, digital tools

The former Industries Minister and BJP State vice-president Murugesh Nirani on Monday called upon women in the Kalyana Karnataka region to overcome hesitation and actively take up entrepreneurship, stressing that digital platforms and e-commerce have become essential for business growth in the modern economy.

He was inaugurating “E-commerce and Digital Transformation Training Programme for Women Entrepreneurs” organised by the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI) at its S.R. Raghoji Auditorium in Kalaburagi.

The programme was organised in association with Ubuntu Consortium, Bengaluru, K-LAMP, Aakruthi Foundation and Parineeta Ladies Association.

Addressing a gathering of aspiring women entrepreneurs and also those who have already taken up entrepreneurship, Mr. Nirani said that women today are achieving self-reliance across sectors, from driving autorickshaws to excelling in space technology. But many in the region are yet to enter large-scale industrial entrepreneurship.

“Every household should have at least one woman who is an entrepreneur to ensure true social and economic empowerment,” he said and urged participants to adopt digital tools and e-commerce platforms to expand their businesses.

Highlighting Karnataka’s industrial ecosystem, he said that the State offers strong policy and legal support for entrepreneurs and encouraged women to move forward with determination despite the initial challenges.

Sharing his personal journey, Mr. Nirani recalled starting a sugar factory with a crushing capacity of about 500 tonnes of sugarcane per day and facing significant financial constraints. “I had to approach banks repeatedly even for a small loan and lived modestly in the early years,” he said.

He noted that his group has since grown into a major industrial enterprise operating multiple sugar factories across the country producing around one lakh tonnes of sugar per day, generating about 400 MW of power from by-products and achieving one of Asia’s highest ethanol production capacities of 28 lakh litres per day.

He emphasised that perseverance, risk-taking and integrity are key to success.

KKCCI president Sharanabasappa M. Pappa said that the Kalyana Karnataka region is steadily progressing industrially, but women and youth must come forward with confidence to utilise available opportunities.

He assured that the Chamber of Commerce and Industry will extend full support to women entrepreneurs in the region.

Co-founder of Ubuntu Consortium Sarvamangala Patil said that efforts are being made to connect women-led enterprises to global markets through initiatives such as the “Techshi” project which aims to provide digital training, market access and exposure to international platforms.

The training programme focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge of e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, branding and online business expansion with the objective of bridging the gap between traditional enterprises and digital transformation.

KKCS honorary secretary Shivraj V. Inginshetty was present.

The programme concluded with felicitations to women achievers from various sectors.