Rural Women Entrepreneurs gain Biz Skills at Shoolini University

The PRAGATI Rural Women Entrepreneurs Development Programme at Shoolini University witnessed enthusiastic participation as rural women attended their second monthly campus visit, following the programme’s launch on 28 January, with the objective of empowering them to establish sustainable business ventures. The visit featured hands-on training and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening entrepreneurial skills and practical knowledge. Led by Payal Jindal Khanna, Deputy Head of the Centre for Leadership Coaching, and supported by Vice-Chancellor Prof Atul Khosla, the initiative focused on building business acumen among rural women through expert-led capacity-building activities. The MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, under the guidance of Dean Dr Somesh Sharma and Devanshi Pandit, conducted detailed training on mushroom cultivation, promoting sustainable farming practices. Simultaneously, the School of Bioengineering and Food Technology, led by Dean Dr Dinesh Kumar, introduced participants to food processing techniques, with a specialized session by faculty expert Narendra on preparing pickles, juices, and purées to encourage value-added food production. An additional interactive session on candle-making, conducted by entrepreneur and faculty member Kritika Sharma, further expanded opportunities for small-scale enterprises. A key highlight of the programme was an interaction with Dr Sunil Rai, Chancellor of UPES Dehradun, who expressed strong support for the initiative and encouraged the participants, while Prof Atul Khosla reaffirmed Shoolini University’s continued assistance through its business incubation programmes. Reflecting the programme’s inclusive approach, Payal Jindal Khanna and student mentors also visited Chhamrog village to engage with a participant unable to attend the campus session, ensuring equal access to learning and support for all beneficiaries.