PHDCCI Hosts ‘SHE POWERS’ A Stirring Celebration of Women Entrepreneurship and Empowerment
With powerful voices, shared dreams, and an unshakable spirit, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) hosted ‘SHE POWERS’, an inspiring evening dedicated to celebrating women-led leadership, innovation, and enterprise. Held at the LPS Auditorium, PHD House, New Delhi, the event brought together changemakers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and visionaries to affirm a collective commitment to empowering women across sectors.
Organised under the visionary leadership of Dr. Aruna Oswal, Chair of the Women, Child Development & Entrepreneurship (WCD&E) Committee at PHDCCI, alongside Dr. Blossom Kochhar and Mrs. Archana Aggarwal, Co-Chairs of the Committee, the event was a vibrant showcase of courage, ambition, and shared purpose.
In her welcome address, Dr. Oswal emphasized, “SHE POWERS is not just a word — it’s a movement. A reminder that when women rise, society progresses. Women today are shaping the future not just in traditional fields like handlooms or home-based businesses, but also in high-tech industries, IT, and corporate leadership. Their presence is being felt from grassroots innovation to cutting-edge technology.”
The event was organised in collaboration with NITI Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) and Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs (COWE), highlighting the strength of public-private partnerships in shaping a more inclusive future.
Mr. Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India, in his compelling address titled “Maamla Urgent Hai,” called gender equality the “unfinished business of our time.” Citing India’s progressive budgetary focus on women entrepreneurship, he noted, “When women lead businesses, nations progress.— Nari Shakti is India’s greatest strength.”
Ms. Anna Roy, Principal Economic Adviser at NITI Aayog, spotlighted the transformative role of WEP as a builder of inclusive ecosystems. “Over 72,000 women are registered on our platform. Our goal is to ensure that no woman is left behind due to lack of support or access,” she said. “We believe in nurturing Ichcha Shakti (willpower), Gyan Shakti (knowledge), and Sankalp Shakti (determination) — the forces that truly power women forward.”
The evening also featured Ms. Uma Ghurka, Founder-Director of COWE, who reflected on the country’s evolving entrepreneurial landscape. “Today, 18% of Indian startups are led by women — a number that continues to grow. The startup ecosystem is no longer just male-dominated — women are claiming space, breaking barriers, and rewriting the rules,” she noted.
Throughout the evening, attendees were moved by poetic expressions, personal stories, and symbolic reflections. One such message stood out: “You don’t have to be a shark to succeed. You can be a dolphin — calm, focused, and purpose-driven — and still build a startup that grows into a unicorn.” The sentiment reinforced the idea that success does not require aggression, but vision and grace.
As the evening concluded with a warm networking dinner, the spirit of She Powers remained alive in every conversation. As beautifully quoted during the session, “Let us believe, let us empower, let us ShePower.”