In a significant step towards strengthening women-led economic participation, the Mission Shakti Department has entered into a strategic partnership with the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council (THSC) to empower women entrepreneurs across Odisha. The collaboration aims to provide structured skill development and entrepreneurship support to women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, enabling them to participate more actively in the state’s growing tourism and hospitality sector.
The initiative reflects Odisha’s continued focus on inclusive growth, with women placed at the centre of economic decision-making and enterprise creation.
MoU Signed in Presence of State Leadership
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Mission Shakti Bhawan in Bhubaneswar in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida. The agreement was formally exchanged between Dr. Monika Priyadarshini, Director of Mission Shakti, and Rajan Bahadur, Chief Executive Officer of THSC.
Senior officials from the Mission Shakti Department and representatives of THSC attended the event, underscoring the importance of the partnership in advancing women’s entrepreneurship at scale.
Creating ‘Lakhpati Didis’ Through Skill and Enterprise
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the initiative as a major milestone in Odisha’s journey towards women-led economic empowerment. She said the programme would play a crucial role in creating more “Lakhpati Didis” by enabling women to build sustainable businesses within the tourism and hospitality ecosystem.
She emphasised that empowering women with professional skills, entrepreneurial knowledge and access to organised markets would strengthen financial independence and contribute to long-term inclusive growth. According to her, women-led enterprises are not only engines of livelihood creation but also drivers of social transformation at the grassroots level.
Vision for Long-Term Impact
Mission Shakti Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S. N. delivered the welcome address and outlined the scope and objectives of the collaboration. He highlighted that tourism and hospitality present strong opportunities for women entrepreneurs, particularly in a state like Odisha, which is witnessing rising tourist footfall and infrastructure development.
He noted that women-led enterprises in these sectors have the potential to generate local employment, promote cultural heritage and strengthen community-based economic models. The partnership, he said, is designed to deliver long-term impact rather than short-term skill training.
THSC’s Focus on Women as Job Creators
Under the leadership of Jyoti Mayal, Chairperson of the Tourism and Hospitality Skill Council, THSC has consistently focused on empowering women through industry-aligned skill development and entrepreneurship initiatives. The council has worked across states to encourage women to become job creators rather than job seekers, particularly in high-growth sectors.
The Odisha programme aligns with this broader vision of building an inclusive and future-ready workforce, with women playing a central role in India’s economic progress. By combining Mission Shakti’s grassroots reach with THSC’s sector expertise, the initiative aims to bridge skill gaps and translate training into viable enterprises.
Industry-Relevant Training and Business Support
Under the MoU, women SHG members will receive structured training to establish and manage enterprises across multiple hospitality-related activities. These include tent services, catering, food supply and event management, all of which have strong demand potential within Odisha’s tourism landscape.
The programme goes beyond basic skill training. Participants will be trained in business sustainability, professional service standards and regulatory compliance, including FSSAI certification. The curriculum also includes preparation of Detailed Project Reports, guidance on procurement of equipment and strategies for business expansion.
This end-to-end approach is intended to ensure that women entrepreneurs are not only trained but also equipped to run profitable and compliant enterprises.
Scale, Timeline and Investment
The initiative will cover a total of 12,000 women members drawn from 1,000 Self-Help Groups across Odisha over a three-year period. Each year, approximately 4,000 women will be trained under the programme.
The total budget allocation for the initiative stands at ₹9.3 crore, reflecting a strong commitment to scaling women entrepreneurship in a structured and sustainable manner. Officials noted that the investment is expected to yield long-term socio-economic benefits by strengthening local economies and increasing women’s participation in organised sectors.
Strengthening Odisha’s Tourism Ecosystem
As Odisha’s tourism and hospitality sector continues to expand, the role of trained, locally rooted entrepreneurs is becoming increasingly important. Women-led enterprises can play a vital role in meeting service demand while ensuring that economic benefits flow back into communities.
Officials said the programme is expected to enhance employability, improve service quality and create a pipeline of women entrepreneurs capable of supporting festivals, events and tourism activities across the state.
A Step Towards Inclusive Growth
The Mission Shakti–THSC partnership represents a model of collaboration between government and industry bodies aimed at creating inclusive growth outcomes. By focusing on skills, entrepreneurship and enterprise sustainability, the initiative seeks to move women from informal livelihoods to structured, income-generating businesses.
As implementation begins, the programme is expected to not only create thousands of women entrepreneurs but also strengthen Odisha’s socio-economic fabric, reinforcing the idea that empowering women is central to sustainable development.
