Women’s empowerment is the key to inclusive development and nation-building: Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh
Haryana Government is committed to women’s empowerment: Nayab Singh Saini
Chandigarh (K.L. Jit Walia): The Regional Fashion Tech Forum of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), in collaboration with Fempreneurz Rising Star, organized the “Mompreneurs–Matru Shakti Samman 2026” ceremony at Haryana Lok Bhavan, where an outstanding group of women achievers from across India was honored.
The event recognized women who have excelled in entrepreneurship, arts, media, sports, education, healthcare, social service, and leadership while successfully balancing their roles as mothers and change-makers in society. The awards were presented under the leadership of Himani Arora, Chairperson of the Regional Fashion Tech Forum, PHDCCI, and Meetu Puri, Founder of Fempreneurz Rising Star.
Among the distinguished awardees were Nirmal Rishi, Malini Awasthi, Geeta Phogat, Shovana Narayan, Rubika Liyaquat, and Rekha Sharma, among many other accomplished women.
As the curator of the event, Himani Arora envisioned and led a unique platform dedicated to celebrating extraordinary women whose life journeys reflect determination, excellence, and the transformative power of motherhood. Through her vision, inspirational personalities from diverse fields were brought together to celebrate their contributions to society and nation-building.
Addressing the gathering, Ashim Kumar Ghosh said that women form the foundation of a strong and progressive society. He praised the award recipients for their remarkable contributions across various sectors and emphasized that women’s empowerment is essential for inclusive growth and national progress. He noted that mothers and women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in shaping families, communities, and the future of the nation.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated that PHDCCI had fulfilled an important social responsibility through this initiative. He described the honored women as symbols of sacrifice, leadership, and inspiration. He said that over the past 12 years, women in India have achieved remarkable success across all fields and are now actively participating in and leading the nation’s development.
He further stated that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is prioritizing women’s education, safety, healthcare, and economic empowerment. Haryana has also introduced several schemes to encourage women entrepreneurs.
Saini said that PHDCCI has recognized the struggles and aspirations of women and that the achievements of the awardees would inspire millions of others. He emphasized that society must not only honor women but also encourage them to take leadership and decision-making roles. Organizations like PHDCCI, he added, play a vital role in this effort.
Speaking on the significance of the Mompreneurs–Matru Shakti Samman, he said that mothers are not only caregivers but also innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders, and agents of change who make valuable contributions to nation-building. Empowering women and recognizing their achievements, he said, is essential for creating a progressive, inclusive, and self-reliant society.
Haryana’s First Lady, Mitra Ghosh, praised the determination and courage of women who successfully balance both professional and personal responsibilities. She noted that initiatives like the Mompreneurs–Matru Shakti Samman provide meaningful platforms for recognizing women’s achievements and inspire countless others to pursue their dreams with confidence.
The event was attended by several prominent personalities, including Padma Shri awardees, athletes, journalists, entrepreneurs, and social leaders. Other award recipients included former Chandigarh Mayor H.K. Babla, Anju Ahuja (Chief Retail Officer, Ahuja Sons), Upasana Arora (Managing Director, Yashoda Group of Hospitals), international boxer Nupur Sheoran, renowned saree draping artist Dolly Jain, and many other entrepreneurs, educators, and social workers.
During the ceremony, PHDCCI and Fempreneurz Rising Star also honored Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Governor Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh, First Lady Mitra Ghosh, and Suman Saini.
Speaking on the occasion, Karan Gilhotra, Chairman of the PHDCCI Punjab State Chapter, said that the platform was created to honor women who have broken barriers, demonstrated courage, and made significant contributions in their respective fields while advancing the vision of a progressive, inclusive, and self-reliant India.
PHDCCI Deputy Secretary General Naveen Seth congratulated all awardees and appreciated their contributions across various sectors. He stated that the Matru Shakti Samman recognizes women who have demonstrated leadership, perseverance, and excellence while inspiring future generations and contributing significantly to social and economic development.
Also present at the event were Suman Saini, Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan, and Bharti Sood, Senior Regional Director of PHDCCI.
KL JIT WALIA
