By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Indian Women Network (IWN) Odisha on Friday organised the 4th Edition of CII IWN Shakti Samman 2026 in Bhubaneswar, celebrating the achievements of women leaders while reinforcing its commitment to women-led development and inclusive growth. The event also witnessed the signing of 13 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹913 crore, expected to generate around 4000 employment opportunities across the state.
Addressing the gathering, Smt Anu Garg, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha, spoke about the challenges women entrepreneurs overcome in breaking traditional and societal stereotypes to achieve success. She described them as a true source of inspiration and emphasised that the Odisha Government’s Vision Documents for 2036 and 2047 aim to transform the state into a US$1 trillion economy with women-led development as a central pillar.
She said women’s participation in entrepreneurship, employment and economic activities is an economic imperative, considering they constitute nearly half of the state’s population. Referring to the impact of the Subhadra Scheme, she noted that beneficiaries are increasingly investing the financial assistance in productive activities such as children’s education, entrepreneurship and income-generating ventures.
Shri Hemant Sharma, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Departments of Home, Industries and I&PR, highlighted the rapid growth of women entrepreneurship in Odisha. He observed that although entrepreneurship is a challenging journey, women entrepreneurs have consistently demonstrated higher success rates. He said Odisha now offers opportunities across a diversified industrial landscape, extending beyond traditional sectors to plastics, food processing, FMCG and domestic appliances.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to support entrepreneurship, he informed that District Investment Promotion Agencies (DIPAs) have been established in every district and have already processed over 3,000 applications, creating greater opportunities for local entrepreneurs.
Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Mr Anil Kumar Singh, Chairman, CII Odisha State Council, said the programme was not only about celebrating outstanding achievements but also about recognising leadership that drives positive transformation. He noted that entrepreneurship demands immense dedication, perseverance and hard work, and expressed happiness that alongside honouring exceptional women achievers, significant investment commitments through MoUs with women entrepreneurs were also being formalised.
On occasion Chitra Arumuguam, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Govt of Odisha highlighted the journey of women entrepreneurs and their valuable contribution to sustainable and equitable economic development of the state. She also talks how women are playing important role in shaping the economy and society of the state।
A key highlight of the evening was the felicitation of 36 women achievers from across Odisha under CII IWN Shakti Samman 2026. The awards recognised exemplary contributions in sectors including healthcare, environment and sustainability, startups, academia, media and entertainment, sports, cottage and small-scale industries, social development and entrepreneurship. The awardees were honoured for their outstanding leadership, resilience, innovation and lasting contribution to society.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Zubina Ali, Chairperson, CII IWN Odisha, who expressed gratitude to the Government of Odisha, industry leaders, partners, jury members and participants for making the fourth edition of Shakti Samman a meaningful celebration of women’s leadership and achievements.
Over the years, CII IWN Shakti Samman has emerged as one of Odisha’s most prestigious platforms for recognising women who have broken barriers, inspired communities and created lasting social and economic impact. Through this flagship initiative, CII Indian Women Network Odisha continues to advance its vision of building a more inclusive, equitable and empowered future where women serve as catalysts of sustainable growth, innovation and transformation
