In the vast story of India’s development, the chapters written by its women are often overlooked or underrepresented. Rajesh Shukla, Chief Strategist at the National Intellectual Advisory (NIA), has long believed that empowering women is not just an act of justice—it’s a strategy for national transformation. Through his pioneering work with women-led enterprises, Shukla has created platforms where women are not just participants in development but architects of it.
Why Women-Led Enterprises Matter
Women in rural and semi-urban India often lead families, communities, and even local economies, yet lack access to capital, training, networks, and strategic support. Shukla’s insight was clear: if India is to grow holistically, it must grow with its women at the center.
His strategy involves not just empowerment programs, but economic enablement—a deliberate effort to position women as business leaders, job creators, and community change-makers.
The Jaggo Nari Federation: A Model of Empowerment
At the heart of this mission is the Jaggo Nari Federation, a movement-turned-ecosystem designed under Shukla’s strategic leadership. It focuses on:
- Building financial literacy and access
- Creating women-led business clusters
- Providing mentorship, marketing, and logistics support
- Enabling policy support and government linkages
From handicrafts in Rajasthan to organic farming in Uttarakhand, and tailoring units in Madhya Pradesh, Jaggo Nari has scaled thousands of micro and small women-led businesses.
Shukla’s Strategic Framework for Women Entrepreneurs
- Skill to Enterprise Pipeline
Training alone isn’t enough. Shukla’s model converts skills into viable, revenue-generating ventures through business planning and market linkage. - Access to Credit and Capital
He has worked with financial institutions to enable collateral-free loans, and created impact investment circles focused on women-led enterprises. - Mentorship and Leadership Development
Experienced women entrepreneurs and domain experts mentor newcomers, ensuring that entrepreneurship is accompanied by strategic thinking and self-leadership. - Market Access and Branding
Shukla introduced centralized platforms and digital catalogs to take local products to national and global markets, thus multiplying revenue potential.
