Inspiring Indian Women

Chetna Gala Sinha delivers a talk on entrepreneurial initiative that relates real-life examples of women who face difficulties in India. The speaker is "a longtime activist and farmer" who set up the first bank for and by rural women in India — The Mann Deshi Bank. In operation since 1997, the financial institution has approximately 100,000 accounts, more than 20 million dollars of capital and is actively supporting women's progression in society both on the local and global level.

Chetna Gala Sinh's talk on entrepreneurial initiative tells small but relevant anecdotes of the women that inspired her to drive and motivate change. The first story, for example, concerns itself with Kantabai — a woman who wanted to start a savings account to be able to buy a plastic sheet for protection before the monsoon season. She was denied since the "amount [she could contribute] was too small and [...] not worth [the bank manager's] time." Thus, Chetna Gala Sinh sought out to establish a financial institution that would give women like Kantabai the opportunity to save.

After acquiring the banking licence to Reserve Bank of India, Chetna Gala Sinh took advantage of her position to inspire, motivate and empower the women she is so fond of. The talk on entrepreneurial initiative gives other examples of immense courage and relentless motivation that drives Indian women to overcome senseless obstacles that are encountered within the parameters of society.