Navi Mumbai: MAVIM Golden Jubilee Celebrations Kick Off At Vashi's CIDCO Exhibition Centre; Ministers Unveil Initiatives For Women Empowerment

Navi Mumbai: The 50th anniversary of the Maharashtra Women's Economic Development Corporation (MAVIM) is going on at the CIDCO Exhibition Center in Vashi.

State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik inaugurated the MAVIM Suvarn Mahotsav – Nav Tejaswini 2025. Citizens can look forward to district-level exhibitions, featuring handmade products, food items, and household essentials by self-help groups from rural Maharashtra.

"A family cannot be truly strong until its women are empowered. In the coming years, we are committed to further strengthening women’s role in society," Naik stated while inaugurating the stalls.

Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare present at the event spoke about the struggles and achievements of MAVIM’s women. She announced that the government aims to increase the number of MAVIM beneficiaries from 2 million to 5 million.

Tatkare also proposed a plan to build clean public toilets for women every 35-50 km along major roads, accompanied by MAVIM-run stalls. "The income from these stalls would help maintain the facilities. Additionally, there are plans to establish Asmita Bhavans in municipal markets, which will serve as hubs for MAVIM’s products, training centers, and offices," said Tatkare.

The MAVIM Golden Jubilee celebrations will continue until March 25, 2025, with various exhibitions and programs promoting women’s entrepreneurship across Maharashtra.

In his address, Women and Child Development Secretary Anupkumar Yadav provided a detailed overview of MAVIM’s achievements and its impact on women’s economic independence.

The other dignitaries present included Minister of State for Women and Child Development Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, MLA Prashant Thakur, Women and Child Development Secretary Anupkumar Yadav, MAVIM Managing Director Varsha Ladda-Untwal, Women's Commission Member Secretary Nandini Awhade, IFAD National Coordinator Meera Mishra, Deputy Commissioner Vaishali Untwal, and Deputy Collector Suchita Bhikane, along with several government officials and hundreds of women from self-help groups across Maharashtra.

Several women entrepreneurs excelling through MAVIM were honored at the event, including Rama Kamble, Swati Vitthal Shelke, Vaishali Vasant Patil, Rohini Bhanudas Kusmagade, Shashikala Narayan Dange, Manjutai Rajendra Thakre, and Sangita Koli.

Three catalogs showcasing MAVIM’s success stories and products were also launched during the event.