Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has launched a pioneering initiative, ‘Faral Sakhi,’ designed to empower women entrepreneurs in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. This flagship program, launched in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), aims to provide training and support for women engaged in traditional snack production, enabling them to expand their ventures sustainably.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The ‘Faral Sakhi’ program focuses on creating long-term employment opportunities by involving women in the production and sale of traditional festive snacks, popularly known as ‘Faral.’ MBMC has established a central kitchen to facilitate professional snack preparation by members of self-help groups (SHGs). To ensure success, the corporation provides sales venues and promotes the products through municipal advertisements.
During Diwali 2024, the initiative achieved significant milestones, selling over three tons of snacks, demonstrating the exceptional quality and taste of the products.
Comprehensive Training and Support
Under the initiative, 25 women from Mira Bhayandar will receive specialized training in business operations, facilitated by the Centre for Education, Governance, and Public Policy (CEGP Foundation). This training will equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to build sustainable businesses and contribute to the local economy.
WEP, which was established in 2018 and transitioned to a public-private partnership in 2022, supports women entrepreneurs across key areas: access to finance, market linkages, training and skilling, mentoring, compliance assistance, and business development. Through its ‘Award to Reward’ program, WEP offers a collaborative framework for stakeholders to design impactful initiatives that benefit women entrepreneurs.
A Collaborative Effort
The ‘Faral Sakhi’ initiative is part of WEP’s broader vision of fostering women-led development. The program operates on three core principles:
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Iccha Shakti (Motivation): Encouraging women to start and scale businesses.
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Gyaan Shakti (Knowledge): Bridging the information gap for entrepreneurs.
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Karma Shakti (Action): Providing hands-on support and guidance.
Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser at NITI Aayog and Mission Director of WEP, highlighted the initiative’s transformative potential: “‘Faral Sakhi’ is about more than just business; it’s about driving societal change by nurturing women-led industries and inspiring future generations.”
MBMC Commissioner Sanjay Katkar echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the initiative’s role in preparing women entrepreneurs for sustainable industries and long-term success.
Building a Thriving Ecosystem
With over 30,000 women entrepreneurs already engaged, WEP’s partnership with MBMC aims to create a robust ecosystem for women-led businesses in Mira Bhayandar. Financial support for the initiative is provided by WEP partner Appreciate, further enhancing its potential for success.
