Srujanika`s Women Entrepreneurs Honoured at Women Entrepreneurship Excellence Award 2026 in Berhampur
By Prakash Panigrahi
Berhampur/Odisha, Sep 26 : Twelve women entrepreneurs associated with Srujanika enabled by the Tata Steel Foundation were recognised as Entrepreneurs of the Year at the Women Entrepreneurship Excellence Award 2026, organised by Odisha Corporate Foundation at Swastik Hotel in Berhampur. Selected from thousands of nominations, the recognition celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit, leadership and determination of women contributing to livelihood creation and community development in southern Odisha.
Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Berhampur, Dr Pradeep Kumar Panigrahi, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and appreciated the efforts of Tata Steel Foundation towards the socio-economic empowerment of women.
The twelve awardees are Sumitra Gouda, M. Devlaxmi, N. Damyanti Reddy, Chumki Choudhury, Sukanti Das, Archana Gouda, Jayanti Das, Manisha Das, Swopana Behera, Laxmi Reddy, Jhili Das and Ranjita Behera. Their entrepreneurial journeys span diverse areas including catering, poultry, micro-enterprises, apparel, handicrafts and the promotion of traditional and tribal art.
Based in Gopalpur, Odisha, Srujanika is a women-led community enterprise ecosystem enabled by Tata Steel Foundation, with the objective of creating sustainable and dignified livelihood opportunities for women while preserving and promoting India’s traditional and tribal art heritage. What began as an SHG-based livelihood initiative has evolved into an organised enterprise platform integrating traditional and tribal art, apparel and stitching, handicrafts, handmade textiles and bags, product development, corporate gifting, institutional business and market linkages.
Srujanika’s enterprise approach enables women to participate across the value chain, from production and quality assurance to costing, packaging, customer engagement, institutional orders and market access. This has supported the transition from local livelihood activities towards greater participation in organised and institutional markets.
Women associated with Srujanika have demonstrated their ability to undertake stitching and production assignments for institutions including the Odisha Police, Indian Navy and Indian Army. The enterprise has also expanded its market presence through national platforms such as the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Samvaad and Pallishree Mela, providing wider visibility to traditional art forms including Saura, Juang, Gond and Pattachitra.
Srujanika has also gained national recognition, with tribal artwork associated with the enterprise being presented to the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. The recognition of the twelve women entrepreneurs at the Women Entrepreneurship Excellence Award 2026 highlights the growing contribution of women-led enterprises to livelihood creation, entrepreneurship and community development in southern Odisha. It also reflects the potential of sustained enterprise support, market linkages and opportunities for women to build sustainable businesses while preserving and promoting the region’s rich traditional and tribal art heritage.
