Shopping festival empowers Covid-hit women entrepreneurs

Ingeniously weaving a women empowerment drive around the pious month of Ramadan, NCP leader and social activist, Advocate Sana Deshmukh, led group has organised a five-day 'Ramadan Food and Shopping Festival' in the twin-city. Already started from April 20 at the Banegar High School located in Mira Road's Naya Nagar, the festival is a genuine attempt to give a muchneeded impetus to small female entrepreneurs who have been hit hard by Covid-19.

Notably, stalls along with the needed infrastructure have been given away free of cost.

Moreover, religion is not a criteria as women from different castes and creeds have set up their stalls in the festival.

Commenting over the festival's ideation, Deshmukh said, “Most of the women who approached me are homemakers whose family earnings were severely hit due to the pandemic. These women started small businesses from their home to support their family. This festival has given them a platform to showcase their products and directly connect with consumers without any investment."

Notably, stalls along with the needed infrastructure have been given away free of cost

The festival will receive a further economic push as it has been organised when the shopping fanfare for Eid is building up, with each passing day.

Ranging from homemade delicacies to readymade garments, cosmetics, artificial ornaments, utensils, perfumes and calligraphy, there are nearly 42 stalls in the festival.

“We are really thankful to get this platform. We are getting a good response which will definitely help our business grow.” said Farah Khan who has set up a calligraphy stall. While one Sangita Rattan said that the event is an opportunity to reincarnate her ladies' garments business which was shut due to Covid-19.