Surat, April 18 – The Women Entrepreneur Cell (WEC) of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) organized the grand 'Women Entrepreneurship Conference 2025' at the Platinum Hall, Sarsana, in a vibrant and festive atmosphere. The event was inaugurated by Limbayat MLA Smt. Sangeeta Patil, with Smt. Sandhya Gehlot, wife of Surat Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gehlot, as the guest of honour.
The conference witnessed the participation of renowned women from various fields who shared their inspiring life stories to motivate aspiring female entrepreneurs. Speakers included Farah Khan Ali, Director of Farah Khan Fine Jewellery; Anahita Jahanbakhsh Italia, a television and Gujarati film actress; designer and entrepreneur Palmi Dhawan; choreographer and content creator Nisha Kidecha Naik; and popular Garba singer Kairavi Buch.
Chief guest Sangeeta Patil emphasized the importance of women walking shoulder-to-shoulder with men to drive national progress. She also highlighted the significance of positive contributions to society and reiterated the relevance of initiatives like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.'
Guest of honour Sandhya Gehlot praised the often-overlooked role of homemakers, stating that every woman holds unique beauty within her, which simply needs to be discovered.
Farah Khan Ali underscored the necessity of combining talent with business acumen to achieve economic independence. She noted that when women understand the strategies behind decision-making in business, they become less vulnerable to exploitation. Actress Anahita Italia encouraged women to turn their interests into passions to excel in every field.
Palmi Dhawan spoke about the challenges of brand building, while Nisha Kidecha Naik reflected on the importance of self-respect and prioritization. Kairavi Buch urged women to recognize their own strengths instead of comparing themselves to others.
SGCCI President Vijay Mevawala praised government schemes like Startup India, the Mudra Yojana, and Digital India for their role in supporting women's growth. He noted that women currently contribute 22 percent to the Indian economy, and this can only rise through collaborative efforts.
Newly appointed President Nikhil Madrasi expressed his gratitude to the guests and participants, while outgoing President Ramesh Vaghasiya, Honorary Secretary Nirav Mandalewala, and Group Chairperson Bhavesh Taylor were also present at the event.
WEC Chairperson Krutika Shah stated that the cell's mission is to make women self-reliant, and it organizes various events throughout the year toward that goal. Advisor Swati Sethwala elaborated on the group's collaborative working model where members guide and support each other in business endeavors.
The program was anchored by Dr. Bandana Bhattacharya and Ms. Vanita Rawat. Co-chairs Ankita Valand, Nimisha Parekh, Advocate Beena Bhagat, and Roshni Taylor introduced the guests. During the conference, participants interacted directly with the speakers in a question-and-answer session, which added further value to the event before it concluded successfully.
