CHENNAI: Two city-based women entrepreneurs were among the 12 who were honoured with SAARC Chamber Women Entrepreneur Council (SCWEC) Woman Entrepreneur Excellence Award here on Monday.
The award has been given in recognition of their entrepreneurship skills and exhibiting deep concern for society and environment The women include Chinmayi Sripada, founder and CEO of Blue Elephant Translation Services, Chennai, and Geetha Prem Kumar, director of Vector Indojanix (P) Ltd, Chennai.
Chinmayi won the award for for her efforts to expand the scope of her enterprise to localisation services, subtitling, transcription and transliteration services and corporate training, while Geetha, a firstgeneration entrepreneur for two decades, was honoured for her contribution to the development of her company involved in manufacturing and marketing of niche products.
She was also hailed for her contribution in the development of women entrepreneurship, business training, provision of education and job opportunities to young people.
Speaking on the occasion, Geetha recalled how she climbed the ladder from a humble lower middle-class family background.
“I totally disprove the theory that those who have a business background alone can shine. I am a good example to prove that people from humble backgrounds have also made it to the top,” said Geetha.
Noted singer Chinmayi, a single parent’s child, who has shone in the entertainment industry, hailed her mother in nurturing her to attain success in the entrepreneurship arena.
Others who were honoured include Sri Lanka’s Sunanda Weerasinge, the managing director of Sujan International — an exclusive vegetarian company, Runa Khan, executive director of Friendship, Bangladesh, a social welfare organisation, Ratna Sudha, managing director of Unique Biotech Limited, Sailaja Kiron Cherukeri, managing director of Margadarsi Chit Fund Private Limited and Shehla Javed Akram, director of Akram industry in Pakistan.
Aminath Arif, founder of Management Executive and Business Development, Salaam School, Maldives, Dr Massouda Jalal of Afghanistan, Thinley Lham, chairperson of The Wangchuk Group of Companies, Bhutan, Sajili Rajesh Shirodkar, director of Vikas Publishing House Pvt Ltd and Shanti Chaddha, director of Nepal Woman Crafts were also honoured.