Rise & Lead: Women Entrepreneurs in Business

Organized by: Department of Commerce (Morning), The Bhawanipur Education Society College, in collaboration with IQAC
Date: 10th September 2025
Venue: Jubilee Hall

The Department of Commerce (Morning), in collaboration with IQAC, hosted a special event Rise & Lead: Women Entrepreneurs in Business on 10th September 2025. The theme focused on “Women Entrepreneurs: Journey & Challenges” and brought together inspiring women leaders from diverse fields such as sports, defense, advertising, and creative industries. The session aimed to connect classroom learning in Entrepreneurship Development (ED) with real-world entrepreneurial journeys, showcasing resilience, innovation, and leadership.

The session began with a warm welcome from Convener Ms. Vanita Sharma, who set the tone with her opening speech. She emphasized that entrepreneurship is not just about ideas but about courage, perseverance, and the ability to turn challenges into opportunities. She highlighted how women entrepreneurs exemplify resilience and innovation, urging students to learn from their journeys.

This was followed by the Lamp Lighting Ceremony, symbolizing knowledge and enlightenment. The dignitaries who joined in the ceremony included:

• Dilip Shah, Rector, and Dean of Student Affairs
• Minakshi Chaturvedi, Vice Principal
• CA Vivek Patwari, Morning Commerce Coordinator
• Guest speakers CA Shivani Agarwalla, Former Dy. Commandant Vama Gaur, and Promita Saha

The ceremony was followed by the introduction of the Moderator, Prof. Sankha Acharya, who guided the proceedings with thoughtful engagement. Prof. Dilip Shah, Rector, and Dean of Student Affairs, addressed the gathering, reminding students of the importance of grit and resilience in entrepreneurship, echoing the spirit of the popular adage “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”

Keynote Addresses by Guest Speakers

Dy. Commandant Vama Gaur

Former Dy. Commandant Vama Gaur shared her inspiring journey of breaking gender barriers in the Coast Guard, proving that leadership is gender neutral. She also detailed her transition into entrepreneurship, where she embraced motherhood and learned that business success is built on humility, resilience, and the willingness to start from the bottom, even if it means serving tea to clients. Her story highlights that a strong character and the ability to adapt are crucial for any career path.

CA Shivani Agarwalla

CA Shivani Agarwalla’s address was a powerful testament to personal transformation. She recounted her journey from weighing 100kgs in school to becoming a six-time kettlebell champion after the age of 40. Her story emphasized the critical roles of mentorship, gratitude, and a positive mindset, reinforcing the idea that our reaction to life’s challenges is far more important than the events themselves. She left the audience with a powerful message: always keep your head high and your heart humble.

Promita Saha

Promita Saha, VP of Karukrit Advertising, shared a compelling narrative of her company’s evolution from a traditional outdoor advertising brand to a modern, innovation-led agency. She stressed the essential role of reinvention in staying relevant within a highly competitive industry. Promita concluded her talk with a touching tribute to her late father, the company’s founder, underscoring the enduring value of legacy and vision in business.

The event also recognized and honored five faculty members who are successful entrepreneurs. This segment celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit within the college community.

• Moumita Dutta – Co-founder of Cha Culture India Ventures Pvt. Ltd., India’s first oil-free café chain, with 23 outlets across West Bengal in just two years.
• Urvi Shukla – Senior faculty, author, and internationally certified Career Coach, blending education with entrepreneurship to guide students in life skills and career paths.
• Sakshi Shaw – Additional Director at Popski Land, instrumental in expanding the brand to a franchise model and establishing presence on Blinkit and Amazon.
• Ipshita Chatterjee – Senior faculty and FMCG distribution leader, managing exclusive hotel and restaurant supply chains since 2019 with a dedicated team.
• Vanita Sharma – Convener of the event, faculty member, and entrepreneur in Brand and Strategic Management, balancing academics with her own start-up ventures.

This felicitation reinforced the message that entrepreneurial spirit is nurtured not only outside but also within the academic community.

The session concluded with a Vote of Thanks by Prof. Muskan Ghani, who expressed gratitude to all speakers, dignitaries, faculty entrepreneurs, the moderator, students, and volunteers. She highlighted that the event had left behind powerful lessons in resilience, innovation, and leadership — qualities that every aspiring entrepreneur must carry forward.

Entrepreneurial success is built on a foundation of resilience, humility, and adaptability, not just technical skill. Leadership is a gender-neutral quality that emerges from perseverance, and staying relevant in business requires a commitment to reinvention and innovation. These principles are not just theoretical; they are exemplified by our faculty, proving that the journey of entrepreneurship truly begins at home.

Rise & Lead: Women Entrepreneurs in Business was a resounding success. It not only connected students with the lived experiences of inspiring women entrepreneurs but also showcased the entrepreneurial journeys of faculty members within the college. The event truly reflected the college’s vision of blending academic learning with real-world exposure, encouraging students to rise, lead, and create their own path.