Women-led Indian startups making global mark: Jitendra Singh

Women-led startups in India are making a global impact and hold the promise of realizing the vision of a “Viksit Bharat,” said Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, on Sunday.

Speaking to a delegation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry – Ladies Organisation (FICCI-FLO), Singh highlighted women’s contributions even in traditionally challenging sectors like space exploration.

He cited India’s solar mission, “Aditya L1,” led by Nigar Shaji, who is popularly known as ISRO’s “Sunny Lady.”

“Women-led development is a key priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance agenda, with the vision that women-led startups will place India on the global map in the years to come. Our women entrepreneurs have the potential to realize that goal,” Singh said.

He added that since 2014, women’s empowerment has taken on a practical dimension through various welfare schemes, including entrepreneurship-focused initiatives like the PM Mudra Yojana and PM Vishwakarma Yojana, which have largely benefited women entrepreneurs.

The Minister noted that nearly 70 percent of the youth who availed of financial assistance under the PM Mudra Yojana were women, many of whom established businesses that not only supported their livelihoods but also created jobs for others.

Calling traditional artisans and craftsmen an “exclusive asset of India,” Singh said they had been brought into the mainstream through the launch of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana.

“The traditional artisans and craftsmen are as integral to Indian society as anything else. They have preserved centuries-old crafts and traditions but were often overlooked since independence,” he added.