Patna: Women entrepreneurs in Bihar are making strides in business, driven by government-backed initiatives such as the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh. The organisation, aimed at fostering women’s entrepreneurship, has helped many transform small ventures into thriving businesses.
Sajiya Kaiser, founder of Revival Footwear, is among those who have benefited. She said the business landscape is gender-neutral, but access to opportunities and networks remains a challenge. “Initially, I struggled to find guidance on business expansion, but joining the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh gave me the direction I needed,” she said.
The Bihar government has provided a platform for thousands of women entrepreneurs, offering them opportunities to market their products. “This support has helped small businesses gain recognition, and women across the state are becoming more confident in pursuing entrepreneurship,” Kaiser added.
Her business saw a significant boost after participating in trade fairs organised twice a year under the initiative. A recent Holi Mela in Patna, for instance, resulted in sales worth lakhs of rupees.
Mala, another entrepreneur affiliated with the Bihar Mahila Udyog Sangh, runs Shilp Shri Private Limited, a handicrafts business. She credited the initiative for expanding her market reach and building her confidence. Since joining in 2005, her turnover has risen from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 80–90 lakh, and she now employs 300 women.
“Through exhibitions and fairs, I connected with buyers and businesses, both in India and abroad,” she said. Her products have even been showcased in an exhibition in the Philippines, reflecting the growing global reach of Bihar’s women-led enterprises.
Government-backed trade fairs and networking initiatives have been instrumental in linking local businesses with customers and international markets. With continued support, Bihar’s women entrepreneurs are positioning themselves as key players in the state’s economic landscape.
