IIT Bhilai Innovation and Technology Foundation (IBITF), in collaboration with Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur; Govt. Digvijay Autonomous College, Rajnandgaon; and Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, successfully organized the second phase of the Marketplace Literacy Workshop from 9th to 11th December 2024 at the IIT Bhilai campus. The workshop trained 400 Self-Help Group (SHG) women leaders from across Chhattisgarh, equipping them with essential marketplace skills and entrepreneurial knowledge.
This initiative followed the success of the first phase held on 29th and 30th July 2024, where 100 SHG women leaders were trained. The program aims to empower low-income individuals, particularly women, by focusing on buying and selling practices, decision-making, and entrepreneurship, fostering confidence and self-reliance.
The second phase significantly expanded its reach, focusing on 400 SHG women leaders with marketable products and ideas. These trained leaders are expected to train their respective groups in villages across Chhattisgarh, creating a ripple effect of marketplace literacy. This initiative is expected to impact 16 lakh women across the state, promoting economic growth and sustainable development.
The workshop was led by Prof. Madhu Viswanathan, a globally renowned expert in marketplace literacy and Professor at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The event featured prominent dignitaries, including Padma Shri Ajay Mandavi and Shri Sonmoni Borah, IAS, Principal Secretary, ST & SC Development, OBC & Minority Development, Government of Chhattisgarh. They appreciated the initiative and assured government support to help SHG women market and sell their products effectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajiv Prakash, Director of IIT Bhilai, highlighted the importance of marketplace literacy in empowering women at the grassroots level and fostering inclusive economic progress.
This initiative was made possible through the support of Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur; Govt. Digvijay Autonomous College, Rajnandgaon; and Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur.
The Marketplace Literacy Workshop reaffirms IBITF’s mission to drive societal transformation through education, innovation, and collaboration. It empowers women to take charge of their economic futures and contribute to a self-reliant India.