Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (NP)
Udupi, Feb 4: The much-anticipated 5th edition of POWER Parba is all set to take place from February 7 to 9 at Christian PU College, Udupi. This year's event is being organized by the central government in collaboration with the MSME PMS Scheme and the District Industries Centre (DIC).
The event will begin with a pre-event POWER rally on February 5, at 3:30 PM, starting from Rajathadri, Manipal, and culminating in Udupi. Cdr Dr Anil Rana, director, MIT Manipal, will flag off the rally.
POWER (Platform of Women Entrepreneurs Regd.), A Udupi-based NGO, has been working towards women empowerment for over 16 years. It has been organizing events like POWER Santhe to provide market opportunities for women entrepreneurs. In response to the growing need for more such platforms, POWER Parba was launched in 2016 and has since become a significant event for women-led businesses.
This year, the event will feature over 150 stalls, with 60 stalls booked under the MSME PMS scheme. Women entrepreneurs from various states, including Jammu, Odisha, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, and others, will participate. Five schools from the Disability Welfare Department have been provided exhibition space, and five additional stalls have been sponsored for the needy by POWER members.
The inaugural ceremony will be graced by Dr Kavita Mishra, a progressive farmer and agropreneur from Hubli, as the chief guest. The lamp lighting will be done by Dr K Vidya Kumari, IAS, deputy commissioner. The stalls will be inaugurated by Dr K Socrates, joint director, MSME, Bengaluru, and the skill development stalls by Yashpal Suvarna, MLA.
On the second day, Dr H S Ballal, pro-chancellor, MAHE, Manipal, will be the chief guest. The closing ceremony will be presided over by Nitesh Patil, IAS, director, DIC, Bengaluru, with Kota Srinivas Poojary and other dignitaries as guests of honour.
POWER Parba 2025 will feature three skill development workshops on Channapatna toy making, Kaavi art, pottery and clay modelling. Students can participate by bringing their student ID cards, and all participants will receive certificates. Exciting competition like drawing and mask-making for children, fireless cooking for women, musical band competition for youth, reel-making competition, based on the theme POWER Parba 2025
Visitors can expect a diverse range of products at the stalls, including jewellery, textiles, readymade clothes, food items, decorative objects, paintings, crafts, and functional household items.
The cultural performances of the event, day one team Kalamayam will present an innovative dance performance showcasing coastal culture. Day two, a performance by Manjari & Srusti Udupi organized by Kannada & Samskruthi, followed by a fashion show by POWER members. Day three, A thrilling dance performance by Manjeeth’s Xtreme Dance Group.
The event will ensure proper security, with police personnel deployed. Facilities such as drinking water, toilets, parking, floodlights, fire extinguishers, and an ambulance will be available. Additionally, a free health check-up is arranged by the women’s wing of the IMA, and a free dental check-up will be conducted by the IDA.
Notably, this year’s event will also reduce plastic usage, promoting an eco-friendly approach. A key highlight of POWER Parba 2025 is the ‘POWER STAR’ award, where seven women achievers from various fields will be honoured for their contributions and excellence.
Tanuja Maben, president; Suguna Suvarna, organizing coordinator; Priya S Kamath, organizing secretary; Pushpa G Rao, organizing treasurer; Supriya R Kamath, exhibitor’s stall registration incharge; Renu Jayaram, founder president; Tara Thimmaiah, former president; Suvarsha Minj, former president; Shruti Shenoy, former president, were present in the press conference.