In a society that proudly boasts of being controlled by men and doesn’t shy away from proving it now and then, it must have been hard for Hina Shah. But that didn’t stop her from reaching heights both in her career and service to the community. It is a story about a woman leader and entrepreneur from Gujarat. She is empowering women and children to improve their position in society.
It is her story!
Hina Shah Dream
At the young age of 20, Hina decided to become an entrepreneur. Had she been a boy, it would have been an ideal case of dreams and determination. But it wasn’t easy for Hina to prove her merit to the world. The main reason was the stereotypes attached to female entrepreneurship and professional women.
However, with the help of her strong will to do her best, she overcame all roadblocks, continuing her journey to her dreams.
The result, you ask? A few years since then, Hina Shah became the face of plastic packaging in the country.
Supporting others
Not only did Hina prove her merit, but she also worked to improve the conditions of other women who wanted to be entrepreneurs. But, financially and socially, they were not able to do anything.
For this, she launched a project called the Entrepreneurship Development program. In the first phase, 25 women got training in Gujarat, out of which 16 women are still gaining ground.
It was the success of the pilot phase that motivated Hina to take this project further. She wanted to inspire and counsel many more women from the state, encouraging them to become successful businesswomen.
Once she gained popularity in Gujarat, she expanded the program to other states, giving it the form of a nationwide movement.
International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD)
However, she brought a difference in the lives of as many as 1 lac women only after she created an International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Career Development (ICECD). United Nations recognizes ICECD as a Centre for excellence.
Under the initiative, Hina works with her team to enable women to become successful entrepreneurs. And she has already counseled as many as thousands such businesswomen.
The country’s boundaries could not stop Hina from going global. Her Women Economic Empowerment strategy is operational in more than 60 countries. It includes countries across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and Caribbean, and the USA.
She has helped women-run businesses like vending and trading shops, garments manufacturing, spices making, leather and rexine products, and packing boxes.
Her journey to social service didn’t end there and driven by her resolute to make a difference to young minds, she has also started Satyameva Jayate International School. One of the objectives is to develop an entrepreneurial spirit right from the beginning.
It won’t be an exaggeration to say that Hina has been grooming kids to grow up and become job makers rather than job seekers.
Recognition
Society acknowledges her contribution to the community. Hina told me that she had received the Entrepreneurs International award for global participation in Women Entrepreneurship Development. She also received the Bharat Jyoti Award for her outstanding contribution to Global Economic Development and the National Achievements Award for the Education Excellence award for her invaluable contribution to Global Economic Development. She has also received the prestigious Indira Gandhi Priyadarshini Award.
However, she is most honored to have received the “Stree Shakti Puraskar,” presented to her by former President Smt. Pratibha Patil.
She has also received the Daughter of Gujarat Award, Tupperware Face of the Year award, and Woman of the Year award by the American Biographical Institute, Oxford, England.
At this time and age, when women are coming in the front to contribute to society, we surely need many more women like Hina Shah, who can work towards community development and be an inspiration to many.
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