Adani Foundation announces major expansion of flagship women’s empowerment initiative Swabhimaan, women-led marketplace Swateja Mart launched

Dr Priti Adani, Chairperson of the Adani Foundation, has announced a major national expansion of the foundation’s flagship women’s empowerment initiative, Swabhimaan, with the aim of supporting 10 lakh women entrepreneurs across India. The announcement was made at a special event titled “Swabhimaan – The Rise of She” held at the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai on Thursday, as the Adani Foundation prepares to mark its 30th anniversary on 11 August 2026.

The first phase of the expansion will focus on Maharashtra, where the programme intends to empower one lakh women within the first year through livelihood training and enterprise development. The initiative is being rolled out in partnership with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), the Government of Maharashtra’s nodal agency for women’s economic empowerment, under a public–private partnership model.

Since its launch in Mumbai, Swabhimaan has already helped more than 4,500 women from underserved communities to build sustainable livelihoods. Participants receive training in entrepreneurship, financial and digital literacy, and skills development, supported by mentorship and market linkages. More than 800 of these women have become “Lakhpati Didis”, generating annual incomes of at least one lakh rupees through home-based ventures and collective enterprises.

The event was attended by Dr Priti Adani and Shilin Adani, Trustee of the Adani Foundation, alongside the Aditi Tatkare, Minister for Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai mayor Ritu Tawde, Nandini Awade, Managing Director of MAVIM.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, who could not attend, sent a congratulatory message praising the Adani Group’s social initiatives in the state.

During the programme, the dignitaries jointly inaugurated Swateja Mart, a women-led community marketplace that offers training, market linkages and both online and offline sales channels for local entrepreneurs. A cloud kitchen operating under the Swateja Mart initiative was also launched. A coffee table book featuring the personal journeys of women transformed by Swabhimaan was also unveiled.

Speaking at the event, the minister Aditi Tatkare described Swabhimaan as “one of the most successful ventures of MAVIM and a powerful role model for women’s empowerment”, noting how it complements state schemes such as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

mayor Ritu Tawde highlighted the programme’s impact in communities such as Dharavi, saying it was helping to build financial confidence and entrepreneurial spirit among underprivileged women. Priti Adani said, “Swabhimaan reflects our belief that empowering women is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen communities and build resilient local economies. The inspiring journeys of the women in Mumbai show what becomes possible when the right support systems are in place. As we expand the programme to empower 10 lakh women across India, beginning with one lakh women in Maharashtra, our focus remains on enabling sustainable livelihoods and nurturing women-led enterprises that create lasting impact.”

The Adani Foundation currently reaches more than 9.6 million people across over 7,000 villages in 22 states through programmes in education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, climate action and community development. The Swabhimaan expansion aligns with India’s national development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), positioning the programme as one of the country’s largest women-led livelihood initiatives.

The Foundation said that with its national expansion, Swabhimaan is poised to evolve into one of India’s largest women-led livelihood initiatives, emerging as a powerful national movement that enables women to become entrepreneurs, community leaders and drivers of local economic growth.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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