Bengaluru : The spirit of India’s rural enterprise ecosystem was on full display at WEutsav 2026, a one-day exhibition celebrating rural women entrepreneurship, held on February 14 at Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Bengaluru. The event was supported by the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), Ahmedabad, and organized by WeAct.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Dr. Sunil Shukla, Director General, EDII, in the presence of Mr. Daniel Thomas (Vice President – CSR), Prof. Dr. Yathindra L (Director – NIFT), Mr. Pinaki Srimany (Associate Vice President – CSR), Mr. Suneel Kumar (Joint Director, DIC Bengaluru), Ms. Kirthika Tharan (Founder, Hepta Senz), and Dr. Raman Gujral (Director, Department of CSR Partnerships, EDII).
WEutsav brought together rural women entrepreneurs from 15 states, attracting over 2,000 visitors and recording sales worth ₹10 lakh. The exhibition featured a vibrant showcase of handmade, craft-based, and sustainable products rooted in India’s diverse cultural heritage. Designed as an immersive platform, WEutsav included state-wise experience zones, live craft demonstrations, curated sales stalls, and cultural performances. Visitors engaged directly with women entrepreneurs, gaining insights into the journey from raw material to finished product while understanding the resilience and enterprise behind each creation.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sunil Shukla said, “WEutsav reflects the strength of women entrepreneurs across India, bringing their enterprise, culture, and innovation to a national platform. At EDII, we remain committed to enabling market access, strengthening value chains, and building sustainable and scalable rural women-led enterprises.”
The exhibition emphasized the transition from skill development to sustainable entrepreneurship, highlighting livelihood creation, women’s economic empowerment, and improved market access for rural businesses. The event saw participation from students, corporates, institutions, and citizens supporting women-led enterprises.
Celebrating individual impact, WeAct member Ms. Noorjahan received the University of Notre Dame Award for Business Building for creating sustainable economic value through enterprise. Ms. Sajini and Ms. Renuka were awarded ₹1.7 lakh each under the Coca-Cola Microgrant, recognizing their contributions to grassroots economic empowerment.
WEutsav also promoted youth entrepreneurship, with participation from 25+ leading colleges and 50+ students. Student teams were recognized for innovative business ideas, reinforcing the importance of nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through WEutsav 2026, WeAct reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening rural entrepreneurship ecosystems by providing women entrepreneurs with visibility, market linkages, and institutional support through EDII.