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Initiative for first generation women entrepreneurs

Acropolis, India's premium mall unveiled Blooming Kolkata – an initiative to promote first generation women entrepreneurs and their effort to tread the difficult terrain of entrepreneurship, on September 7. Developer of Acropolis, Merlin Group has thereby organised a two-day long exhibition of budding female entrepreneurs at Acropolis to provide them an exposure to the market directly before Durga Puja

At a formal function at Acropolis, Debasish Sen, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, Govt of West Bengal and Chairman, HIDCO inaugurated the exhibition in presence of Saket Mohta, MD, Merlin Group.

Commenting on the initiative, Debasish Sen, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary, IT and E department, Govt of West Bengal and Chairman, HIDCO, said, "The government is looking into innovative ways to create a safe ecosystem for women entrepreneurs. Crèches, video analytics and roadside coffee bars are being designed in New Town."

Commenting on the initiative, Saket Mohta, Managing Director, Merlin Group said, "Blooming Kolkata is an innovative initiative conceptualised and organised by Acropolis Mall from Merlin Group to promote first generation entrepreneurs and provide them a direct market linkage. We hope it will empower the entrepreneurs and provide motivation to fly high and enrich the startup eco system".

Christened as 'Blooming Kolkata 2019,' the all women start up exhibition is an initiative taken by the Acropolis Mall to provide a platform to the female Startups to exhibit their products and sell directly to the consumers who will congregate at the mall to purchase products for Durga Puja. Acropolis provided unflinching support to create high end brand images of these entrepreneurs.

The initiative is aimed at celebrating the spirit of women entrepreneurship through deliberations, exhibition, workshops, discussions and beauty contest, where aspiring models would flaunt the costumes and jewellery of the participating brands and walk the ramp.

As per a recent study, female-led companies have performed 63 percent better than male counterparts in terms of return on investment.

Few participants and their journey

Aparna Dhar is a sixty-three-year-old first generation entrepreneur for whom age is just a number. A proud mother of two well settled sons working in multinationals like Google and Hand in Hand, Aparna ventured into setting up Moms Touch in a small way five years back. What is unique of her is that she innovates, ideates, designs and makes all products herself.

Deblina Saha, a twenty eight year old entrepreneur, founded Human Library Kolkata chapter in 2018. Human Library is the the Denmark based Non profit organisation with presence in over 80 countries. She is also the founder of Lina Made – a repository of handmade chocolates. As a founder of Kolkata chapter of Human Library, Deblina wants to include all and sundry in the joyous celebration of life. Human Library is all about breaking stereotypes and changing mindsets which Deblina is proactively advocating.

Trishita started her career in administration after completing her graduation in 2011. However, God kept something else in store for her. She was afflicted with an auto immune disorder called Thrombocytopenia which slowly kills platelets. But her indomitable spirit could not deter her and thus her new venture Kraftastic was born. A painter and designer by passion, Trishita started her entrepreneurial journey by making handmade cards, wall hangings, photoframes initially and gradually added jewellery, gift items to her repository of offering. She has been a regular participant in Kolkata State Handicrafts Expo since 2017.

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