Sweet Fruits of Labor: Hari Chandana Cultivates Rural Entrepreneurship

Recently a viral video highlighted rural women entrepreneurs in Telangana creating value-added custard apple products, showcasing the fruits of IAS officer Hari Chandana’s efforts cultivating entrepreneurship. Chandana pioneered interventions like #Aarunya empowering self-help groups (SHGs) and catalyzing rural enterprise. Her initiatives reveal that strategic empowerment fuels entrepreneurial revolutions uplifting communities.

When Chandana assumed charge of Narayanpet district, the textile town’s weaving community was distressed amidst the pandemic. Chandana facilitated collaboration between weavers and women SHGs, who value-added the stock into masks, creating livelihoods for both. This resulted in the rise of #Aarunya, a producer company led by women entrepreneurs. #WomensEconomicEmpowerment

Chandana focused on matching the district’s production talent with market access. She tied up initiatives like #Aarunya with organizations providing the women training in sales, marketing and online platforms. Soon a wider audience was reached, spurring production diversification. #GrassrootsInnovation

Today Aarunya integrates over 100 women-led enterprises, SHGs and artisans, under its marketing umbrella, powering the rise of brands like #Sitaphal pulp. Chandana catalyzed rural women’s entrepreneurial journey- from masks to jams, teas, apparel and more. #Microenterprise

Chandana reveals that cultivating entrepreneurship requires focusing on existing strengths, then bridging gaps like marketing know-how through partnerships. Her initiatives activated rural communities as thriving entrepreneurial hubs by synergizing talent and resources. #PublicPrivatePartnerships

Hari Chandana exemplifies that strategic empowerment unlocks hidden potential, turning local resources into engines of economic growth. Her interventions cultivated sustainable livelihoods for SHGs and marginalized communities, revealing the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. #RuralDevelopment #SheInspiresUs