Hyderabad :

It is only 67 days since the new state of Telangana has been formed. With every other field in the state rapidly working towards development, an all-women organisation called ‘Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Telangana State (ALETS)’, was launched on Saturday by a group of successful entrepreneurs in the state to empower women.

Some of the main objectives of the organisation are to educate women to come forward and become entrepreneurs in various fields, improve socio-economic aspects of women in urban and rural areas.

“Women, especially those in rural areas, are very industrious and have a lot of ideas. We will go and give them guidance in business planning, capacity building, marketing awareness through linkages,” said M Sarita Reddy, founder-president of ALETS.

“When we use the word start-up, the first thing that comes to mind is money. However, we feel counselling is more important,” she said. Apart from helping women establish their own start-ups, the association also assists them in conducting various exhibitions to showcase their talents.

Sarita remarked, “We will also establish different incubation centres for women entrepreneurs in the future. Formation of Telangana is a sixty year old dream. Women are the foundation of developing State. Hence, there is a need for a common platform to empower women in the state.”

“While many students are graduating from engineering and other degree colleges these days, it is impossible for all of them to get jobs. Therefore, entrepreneurship is one of the most affordable options for the pass-outs who have great ideas in mind,” she opined.

“It is indeed a matter of pride that Telangana women have taken the initiative in entrepreneurship,” said K Sudhir Reddy, president of Telangana Industrialists Welfare Association.

“There are hardly any women entrepreneurs in the state today. If one has to go with the numbers, the total percentage of women entrepreneurs in the state today is a mere three,” Sudhir Reddy said.

“For a country to develop, women are more important. I believe they have better understanding skills and work towards development of the state,” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 10th, 2014