Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Day 4 of the INWEC National Women’s Business Mela 2.0 unfolded in spectacular fashion, blending the boldness of entrepreneurship with the elegance of design and the vibrancy of performance. As the Mela progressed into its penultimate day of celebration, the stage was set for an evening rich with inspiration, innovation, and insight—honouring women who are not only shaping the present but redefining the future.
The evening began with a visual journey through the highlights of the past three days, evoking a sense of pride and purpose among attendees. Also gracing the evening was Subhendra Kumar Nayak, OAS, Special Secretary, Industry Department, Government of Odisha, whose presence underscored the state’s commitment to nurturing women-led enterprises and creative industries.
Threads of Identity – Fashion with Purpose: The first fashion presentation, Suta, opened the runway with grace and emotion, narrating stories of womanhood, roots, and resilience through handwoven threads. This was followed by a compelling panel titled “From Threads to Thrive: Leveraging Fashion and Marketing to Build Sustainable Livelihoods.” The session brought together: Taniya Biswas, Co-Founder, Suta; Poonam Guha, IAS, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts and Department of Excise, Govt. of Odisha; and Harmeet Sehra, CSR Head, Vedanta Limited. Moderated by Swati Kejriwal, Co-Convenor, INWEC, the discussion unpacked how fashion is transforming into a vehicle for rural empowerment and economic development, especially for women artisans and communities.
Weaving Aspirations into Brands: The spotlight then turned to trueBrowns, which showcased its ethnic-chic line that beautifully fused tradition with modern urban sensibilities. Following this, the second panel discussion, “Designing the Future: Crafting Iconic Brands,” explored the journey of female founders who are turning local stories into global labels. Esteemed panellists included Swagatika Das, CEO & Co-Founder, Nathabit; Udita Bansal, Founder & CEO, trueBrowns; and Sujata Biswas, Co-Founder & CEO, Suta. The session was steered by Tania Khosla, Founder and Creative Director of Orissa by Tania, and offered insights into building brand loyalty, design identity, and scaling authentic fashion ventures.
The evening unfolded further with Fashion Show 3 by Sephalee, captivating the audience with bold styles rooted in heritage. A lively flash mob by the Mandakini Dance Troupe brought colour and energy to the outdoor arena, celebrating freedom and movement in art.
Next, the stage welcomed Anindita Gupta, Founder & CEO of Scenic Communications, under the Brand Spotlight segment for her brand AnH, a powerful narrative of branding excellence led by a woman entrepreneur.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote conversation with Farah Khan Ali, India’s celebrated jewellery designer, known for her luxurious and storytelling-led designs. In a candid and empowering conversation moderated by Tanaya Patnaik, Editor of Sambad & Kanak News, Farah shared her creative journey, personal battles, and her commitment to crafting timeless pieces that celebrate individuality and heritage. Her story of resilience, reinvention, and self-belief struck a deep chord with entrepreneurs and creatives alike.
She also joined actor Archita Sahu in felicitating the bright young Kidpreneurs, celebrating the Mela’s focus on nurturing young dreamers and future leaders.
The fourth fashion segment, Zubina, delivered a powerful visual story through contemporary silhouettes and traditional craft.
The night concluded with a majestic Fireside Chat with internationally acclaimed designers Shantanu & Nikhil, moderated by Meghna Singh Deo, Chairperson of Ekamra Vatika. Their topic, “Reimagining Heritage: Shantanu and Nikhil’s Art of Modern Craftsmanship,” was a masterclass in merging legacy with modernity, craftsmanship with concept. Their presence and words left the audience inspired, bringing together fashion aficionados, students, and entrepreneurs under one vision—creating an India where culture and commerce walk hand-in-hand.
As Day 4 drew to a close, the evening stood as a powerful testament to the strength of Indian women in business, creativity, and leadership. The INWEC National Women’s Business Mela 2.0 continues to be a celebration not just of success stories, but of the bold journeys that create them. With one more day to go, the excitement only grows stronger.
