Patna: Women entrepreneurs, artists, educators and social workers came together at the Gargi Udyami Sakhi Sawan Mahotsav 2026 in Patna on Sunday, with the event focusing on women’s entrepreneurship, economic independence and Bihar’s cultural heritage.Organised by the Gargi Chapter of Let’s Inspire Bihar, the event featured stalls showcasing products and innovations by women entrepreneurs, along with folk and classical performances. It was inaugurated by Let’s Inspire Bihar patron and IPS officer Vikas Vaibhav with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp.Addressing the gathering, Vaibhav said Bihar’s transformation would not be possible without women’s leadership. He said women should be recognised as equal partners in building a developed Bihar by 2047.He said around four lakh people, including more than 40,000 women, were associated with Let’s Inspire Bihar on a voluntary basis. The organisation currently runs 41 Gargi Pathshalas across 20 districts and aims to take the Gargi Chapter to every panchayat by 2028.The event featured a Kajri performance, a Sawan contest walk themed ‘Mithila, Magadh, Bhojpur Ke Rang Ek Sang’, and a Kathak presentation based on Shiv Stuti.The Gargi Mahila Udyamita Samman was presented to women entrepreneurs and professionals, including Punam Anand, Suruchika Singh, Indu Agrawal, Hema Devi and Mitali Mukherjee.Gargi national convener Preeti Bala said, “We want every woman to believe that her talent can become an enterprise and her enterprise can contribute to the development of Bihar.”Sonika was adjudged the first ‘Gargi Desi Biharan’, while Sambhavi Sajal and Kannu Tripathi won the ‘Gargi Sawan Diva’ and ‘Gargi Voice of Bihar’ titles, respectively.
