The vibrancy of India’s rural enterprise ecosystem came alive in Bengaluru today as WEutsav, a one-day exhibition celebrating rural women entrepreneurship, was held at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium. The event was supported by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, and organized by WeAct.

The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Sunil Shukla (Director General, EDII), in the presence of Mr. Daniel Thomas (Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility), Prof. Dr. Yathindra L, (Director – NIFT), Mr. Pinaki Srimany (Associate Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility), Mr. Suneel Kumar (Joint Director, DIC, Bengaluru), Ms. Kirthika Tharan (Founder, Hepta Senz), and Dr. Raman Gujral(Director, Department of CSR Partnerships, EDII). WEutsav brought together rural women entrepreneurs from 15 states and witnessed a footfall of approximately 2,000+ visitors. With sales worth Rs. 10,00,000, the exhibition unfolded a vibrant array of handmade, craft-based, sustainable products rooted in India’s rich cultural heritage.

Designed as an immersive experience, WEutsav featured state-wise experience zones, live craft demonstrations, cultural performances, and well-curated sales stalls. Visitors engaged directly with women entrepreneurs, witnessing the journey of products from raw material to finished craft, while understanding the stories of resilience, skill, and enterprise behind each creation.

At its core, WEutsav highlighted the transition from skill development to sustainable entrepreneurship, emphasizing livelihood creation, women’s economic empowerment, and access to markets for rural enterprises. The exhibition was open to the public and offered free entry, attracting students, institutions, corporates, and citizens keen to support women-led rural businesses.

The event also celebrated individual achievements and impact. WeAct member Ms. Noorjahan was honoured with the University of Notre Dame Award for Business Building under the Business Initiative, for creating sustainable economic impact through enterprise.

Ms. Sajini and Ms. Renuka were awarded cash prizes of ₹1,70,000 each under the Coca-Cola Microgrant, in recognition of their efforts to create sustainable livelihoods and drive economic empowerment at the grassroots level.

WEutsav further encouraged youth engagement, with participation from 25+ top colleges and 50+ college students in an entrepreneurship-focused initiative aimed at fostering innovation and enterprise thinking. Outstanding student teams were announced as winners and recognized for their innovative business ideas, reinforcing the importance of nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Through WEutsav, WeAct reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by providing women entrepreneurs with visibility, market linkages, and recognition, with institutional support and guidance from EDII.

“WEutsav reflects the strength of women entrepreneurs from across India, bringing their enterprise, culture, and innovation to a national platform. At EDII, we are committed to enabling market access, strengthening value chains, and providing the right support systems so that rural women-led businesses become sustainable and scalable within a defined timeframe.”

-Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India

About WeAct

WeAct (Women Entrepreneurs Access Connect Transform) is a national-level initiative formed by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, to empower rural women entrepreneurs. It provides hands-on support in business planning, marketing, market access, digital adoption, and financial literacy, helping women-led micro-businesses become sustainable and profitable. WeAct’s structure strengthens women’s participation in India’s rural enterprise ecosystem. For more information, visit: www.weact.in

About Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII)

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, was set up in 1983 with the support of apex financial institutions – the IDBI Bank Ltd., IFCI Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., State Bank of India (SBI), and the Government of Gujarat. EDII has been recognized as the CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. The Institute is closely associated with premier corporates in implementing their CSR initiatives across the

county leading to strengthening of MSMEs, promotion of women entrepreneurship, and creation of sustainable livelihoods. For more information, visit: www.ediindia.org