The festival of Navaratri is a celebration of feminine strength. This year, its spirit was upheld in a heartfelt way, by helping nine women start new businesses and achieve self-sufficiency by content creator Siddhesh Lokare and his team in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and rural Mahrashtra. “We wanted to empower the women to tap into their potential by providing them with tools and opportunities to create a life of financial independence,” Lokare says. The businesses — from a flour mill to a food cart — cater to daily community needs. The Empowering Naari initiative began in August, with research and surveys conducted with the help of local NGOs, to connect with women from neighbourhoods within Mumbai as well as Khidukpada and Kalamboli near Navi Mumbai.

Payal Shendre at the new beauty parlour