Motivating the participants of the virtual session organised by the Lady Entrepreneurs’ Wing of Vidarbha Industries Association (LEWVIA) to achieve success in life, Padmashree awardee Dr Kalpana Saroj shared incidences of her own struggle and how at each point of time she faced difficulties. An entrepreneur and a social worker who also has transformed many non-profitable businesses and projects into success stories, was the guest speaker at the session on “The Incredible Story of an Amazing Entrepreneur” .

Dr Saroj is known for her business acumen of turning around the loss making unit, Kamani Tubes Mumbai.

Dr Saroj shared the rough phase of her childhood, when she was married off at the tender age of only 12 years. She spent her childhood in slums and later faced domestic violence in her married life. She had also attempted suicide but was rescued on time. It was then that it dawned upon her that God had destined her to do something great in life.

But it was her self-belief and confidence which helped her to cross each hurdle coming across her path. She started her journey from earning a daily wage Rs 2 in a garment factory and today the net worth of her company is Rs 2,000 crore.

When Dr Saroj took over Kamani Tubes, the company had having 160 litigation cases. But she won each of them and scripted the history of making the company profitable. Today in Mumbai there are two roads named after Kamani Tubes.

Dr Saroj is also the CMD of Kalpana Saroj Aviation Pvt Ltd and has recently acquired space in MIHAN Nagpur to start an MRO. Since she hails from Vidarbha she is keen to develop this region and contribute to the employment generation. As a part of social work she provides homes to the homeless.

At the outset, Poonam Lala, Chairperson of VIA LEW, welcomed the guest speaker and updated the audience about the activities of VIA LEW for promoting women entrepreneurship. Vandana Sharma, Past Chairperson of VIA LEW introduced the Dr Kalpana Saroj and conducted the proceedings of the event. Anita Rao, Past Chairperson of LEW moderated the session. Secretary Rashmi Kulkarni proposed the formal vote of thanks.

The session was attended by VIA LEW Advisory committee members namely Sarla Kamdar, Prafullata Rode, Madhubala Singh, Sarita Pawar, Immediate Past Chairperson Manisha Bawankar, Past Chairpersons Saeeda Haque, Chitra Parate, Y Ramani, Anjali Gupta, Shachi Mallick, Reeta Lanjewar, Vice Chairpersons Indu Kshirsagar, Shikha Khare, Treasurer Yogita Deshmukh, PRO Poonam Gupta and EC Member Sania Ramchandani.