AU Small Finance Bank (AU SFB), India’s leading SFB today launched ‘AU Udyogini Bazaar’ at Navrangpura, Jaipur to uplift rural women entrepreneurs from marginalized backgrounds by providing them with a dedicated space for their business and foster a sense of ownership. This initiative is part of AU Udyogini, a strategic program of AU Foundation – the CSR wing of AU Small Finance Bank.
AU Udyogini Bazaar is a platform for women entrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds, who have been carefully selected through a structured process. As part of the initiative, AU Foundation will support these women for business promotion, along with training in leadership and entrepreneurship. AU Foundation will also help them enhance their marketing, managerial, and technical capabilities. The Bazaar follows a one-business-one-shop model, comprising nine units of 10 feet each, equipped with essential infrastructure and tools for running the respective entrepreneurial ventures. AU Udyogini Bazaar will comprise of various outlets like, spices shop, tailor shop, beauty parlour, kirana store, clothes shop amongst others, providing easy access to the necessities for the people of Navrangpura. The first and one-of-its-kind Bazaar will not only cater to the needs of
the local community but also enhance visibility and foster a sense of ownership by integrating them as wholesellers into an organized market setup.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Mr. Kuldeep Dhankar, MLA, Viratnagar and Mrs. Jyoti Agarwal, Co-Founder, Sanjay & Jyoti Agarwal Foundation (SJF). Also present at the occasion were Mr. Sultanram Jat, Head of Swadesh Banking, AU SFB and Mr. Saurabh Tambi, Executive Vice President, Marketing & CSR, AU SFB.
Mr. Kuldeep Dhankar, MLA, Viratnagar, said, “Under AU SFB’s CSR, AU Udyogini project is making women self-reliant. I have closely worked towards empowering women through self-help groups and I am extremely proud to say that AU Udyogini Bazaar is increasing the sense of ownership among rural women by making them self-confident and also winning them awards.”
Speaking at the occasion, Mrs. Jyoti Agarwal, Co-Founder, Sanjay & Jyoti Agarwal
Foundation said, “AU Foundation is constantly focusing on key areas of progress for the marginalized sections of the society. I am delighted to witness how AU Udyogini is tirelessly working to uplift the rural women from these sections of the society and make them self-sufficient entrepreneurs. AU Udyogini Bazzar will further empower these women and give them a sense of ownership while AU Foundation will provide the seed capital and bear the recurring cost of rent and electricity for these small businesses, along with capacity building for the women entrepreneurs. I congratulate each one of these women who epitomize women empowerment at the grassroot levels.”
AU Udyogini, launched in October 2020, initially concentrated on creating entrepreneurship opportunities for women from families of daily wage earners affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has since broadened its scope to empower women from distressed backgrounds in rural Rajasthan, thereby enhancing their family incomes. It aligns with NITI Aayog’s ambitious plan to improve India’s ranking in the Human Development Index by enhancing the standard of living and being executed in aspirational districts as defined by NITI Aayog. AU Udyogini comprises three key initiatives dedicated to fostering community-based enterprises, building self-help groups, and supporting women entrepreneurs in setting up independent businesses:
Khejri Mahila Producer Company, Brand name Maa Annapurna Masala: A women-led community enterprise focused on delivering quality spices and pure mustard oil. Eight centers have been established, supporting 120 women.
Nirjhari Women Artisans Producer Company: Registered as a producer company,
this initiative involves women in making home furnishings, apparel, tailoring jobs and recycled paper products etc.
Individual Women Entrepreneurship Initiative: Supporting women via seed capital
to start small businesses such as beauty parlours, cosmetic shops, grocery stores, flour mills, etc.
Through AU Udyogini Mart, AU Foundation will persist in its mission to empower underprivileged women and foster their active involvement in improving their quality of life.