From Our Special Correspondent

Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Mar 15: The State Government will make all efforts to promote and support women entrepreneurship, said Dr K Sudhakar, Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister here on Tuesday, March 15.

“This is the time for India to wake up and extend all possible support to encourage women entrepreneurs,” he said addressing a function to mark the International Women’s Day organised by the Forum of Women Entrepreneurs (FOWE).

Dr Sudhakar said under the Niti Aayog's Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) there are three parts - ‘Iccha Shakti’, ‘Gyan Shakti’ and ‘Karma Shakti.’ “Our Government intends to encourage more women to take up entrepreneurship,” he said.

‘Iccha Shakti’ is one of the platforms where we need to motivate women to get into entrepreneurship. Once motivated, proper knowledge needs to be given which is ‘Gyan Shakti.’ It is another pillar to give knowledge on what she wants to develop and how she wants to develop. The final pillar is ‘Karma Shakti’ which gives hands-on support to entrepreneurship where financial assistance is provided and collaborations are given with marketing and innovation,” he said.

Additionally, he expressed concern about the global investment trends in which, he said that just 2.3% went to women run start-ups.

“If you see the numbers, I'm not happy because I was told that there are 300 billion US dollars which was spent globally for start-ups but only 2.3% went to women run start-ups. This is not encouraging. I request all women entrepreneurs to get into this area,” he said.

The minister said he as the Health Minister, is happy that there are around 45,000 ASHA workers who are women, who have done a splendid job during COVID-19 management and nurses worked round the clock in ICUs selflessly.

“We don't notice it, but from our homes, workplaces and schools women have given us confidence, compassion and love. It is now for the men and our system to give them back their due share. I tell this with a lot of sincerity and honesty,” Minister Sudhakar added.