Unveiling of coffee table book by the dignitaries during the event, “Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs: Journey of Strength and Success” at Hotel Vivor Kohima on March 13.
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 13
“At tEA, we see the progress of the women and entrepreneurs as important aspect of nation and peace building,” remarked Neikule Doulo, Executive Director of The Entrepreneurs Associates (tEA) on Friday while stating, “we do not view it only from the lens of project or assignment but continue to believe that if we want to live in a better world, we need to ensure that everyone contributes towards this aspiration.”
Highlighting the works of tEA at an event celebrating women entrepreneurs and their journey of strength and success, at Hotel Vivor, Kohima on March 13, she also underscored that, “women entrepreneurship is a hinge to big doors.”
In this regard, she said that, “the market in Nagaland alone may be limited and small, but for business, the whole country and the world is the market.” Stating that this realisation would help women to become those who stir growth and not those associated with livelihoods, she said that, “tEA will continue to strive to make women become real entrepreneurs and to this end, we want to boldly envision to make 100 women crore pattis in the next 10 years.”
“We need partners like FWWB (Friends of Women’s World Banking) and government to support us on this grand journey,” she said.
She also traced the journey of tEA that began in the year 2000 to promote entrepreneurship and to change mindsets while expressing that, “what began as advocating, promoting and supporting business activities and mindset change has now grown to training, mentorship, and linkages to markets and finances.”
In 2027, she highlighted that tEA also began intensive intervention with women street vendors and began training and capacitating them.
“This program opened doors for us to work with a number of partners and organisations such as FWWB, who has been pivotal in our works with women across Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya”, she further highlighted.
Underlining that exposures, exhibitions, finances and consolidating Nano businesses to Micro enterprises are critical for success and visibility, the Executive Director also stated concern in helping them to view their economic empowerment as being directly proportional to the wellbeing of those for whom they fight and work hard for.
In this regard, she also asserted that, “we need the collective effort of the agencies present to collaborate and partner to take these women forward, not just building physical businesses but also working on the determination and resilience of the women.”
‘Pillars of strength, dedication and hardwork’
Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, Yongchingkumla, Mission Director, Mission Shakti & Secretary, Department of Social Welfare, commended the work of tEA and FWWB in enabling women to have sustainable and financial independence while exuding hope that they would continue the good work.
Further expressing her sincere admiration for all the women entrepreneurs, she said, “your determination, innovation, resilience are inspiring.”
Asserting that women in Nagaland have been the pillars of strength, dedication and hardwork’, she also stated appreciation for their courage in building businesses and creating livelihoods.
She highlighted that she is from the Chang community, whose parents never went to school or heard the school bell ring. However, she recalled that her parents sent her and her siblings to school, gave them the same privilege and ensured that they received education.
While the state follows the Naga customs, she noted that one advantage is that women are also allowed to attend school. With the basic education being provided, she stated belief that women entrepreneurs are able to flourish in their respective businesses.
Towards this end, she said, “let us collectively promote and support local products made by women entrepreneurs” while also asserting that as consumers, their choice matters and that, “by choosing local, we strengthen our community and help them grow and flourish.”
Alexis Muthiah, Program Manager, FWWB spoke about their association with Nagaland for the past few years and the digital acceleration of women in this regard dealing with more than 4000 entrepreneurs in different districts of Nagaland in the areas of weaving, food processing, bakery, etc.
She said women might have started very small, but pointing to their growth in the present day, she also cited from the Bible where Jesus multipled loaves of bread and fish to feed 5000 people.
In the same manner, she impressed upon that they have multiplied for themselves, their families and their communities. Even with the lack of opportunity to market access, packaging, and branding earlier, she commended the efforts and courage and the resilience of the women entrepreneurs, whose courage to start something has clearly impacted not only themselves but their families and communities as well.
Petevilie Khatsu, State Mission Director, DAY-NULM, SUDA, Joint Director, Urban Development spoke about the “Provisions under Urban Development” while Ikheshe Kahoto, Assistant Director, Directorate of Industries & Commerce delivered a speech on “Start-Up Policy, Schemes & Eco-system”.
Earlier, a coffee table book and AV were only unveiled by the dignitaries, and women entrepreneurs were also felicitated.
Other highlights of the programme included experiential sharing by Verhelo-u Nuh, HSBC Phase 4 (2025-2026) and Swudutalu Therie, HSBC Phase 2 (2023-2024).
Chubasenla Nokdir, Associate Pastor Youth, KABA said the invocation while Chubazen Longkumer, Project Coordinator, tEA said the welcome address and Avinash Rawal, Vice President, Partnership & Inclusive Growth, FWWB proposed the vote of thanks. The programme was chaired by Vezosulu Rhakho, FWWB cohort of 2023-2024.
