Mumbai, Maharashtra, March 30, 2026: Learning Links Foundation (LLF) and Mastercard today hosted the SASHAKTI Conclave 2025-26 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to celebrate the success and achievements of women entrepreneurs who have benefitted from the SASHAKTI program.
Supported by Mastercard and implemented by Learning Links Foundation, the initiative was launched in 2022 and has so far empowered nearly 82,000 women from low-income backgrounds across seven states to establish and scale their small businesses.
The Conclave was graced by Hon. Ms. Aditi Tatkare, Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of Maharashtra, and saw participation from senior leadership of Mastercard, Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), Learning Links Foundation, along with program beneficiaries. The Minister engaged with program beneficiaries and observed their entrepreneurial ventures firsthand.
During the Conclave, women entrepreneurs with strong growth potential received grants and machinery support to strengthen and scale their enterprises. Over 30 women from Delhi and Pune were provided equipment, such as sewing machines, flour mills, beauty parlour kits, pulveriser machines, and bakery tools, enabling sustainable livelihoods.
Hon. Ms. Aditi Tatkare, Minister of Women and Child Development (Govt. of Maharashtra):
The SASHAKTI Conclave 2025-26 was graced by the presence of the Minister of Women and Child Development (Govt. of Maharashtra), Hon. Ms. Aditi Tatkare. She inaugurated the exhibition stalls of women entrepreneurs, which showcased the tangible impact of the infrastructure support provided to 32 entrepreneurs through the program. The exhibition featured businesses empowered by modern digital tools and new equipment, including sewing machines, OTGs for baking, parlor kits, domestic flour mills, and spice grinders. During the event, the Hon. Minister launched the ‘Sashakti Success Story Booklet’, which highlights the inspiring journeys of these women. Additionally, she distributed grant cheques of ₹6,000 to women entrepreneurs to help scale their micro-businesses.
Minister Aditi Tatkare emphasized that while schemes like ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ provide initial foundational support, the digital tools, financial literacy, and business planning skills provided through this partnership act as the ‘fuel’ for long-term sustainability. She urged Mastercard and Learning Links Foundation to continue working together to expand these benefits and the program’s reach to more women across Maharashtra.
Dr. Anjlee Prakash, Chairperson, Learning Links Foundation, said, “Every woman in the SASHAKTI program carries a story of courage—choosing to build something of her own despite facing obstacles. At Learning Links Foundation, it has been our privilege to walk alongside these women, helping them channel their resilience into real‑world results through practical knowledge, the right tools, and steady support. Over the past four years, we have witnessed much more than business growth; we have seen women claim their voice, their independence, and their rightful place in society and the economy. We are grateful to Mastercard for making this vision possible, and to every woman entrepreneur who trusted us with her journey.”
Gautam Aggarwal, President, India & South Asia, Mastercard, said, “Partnering to build an inclusive digital economy that works for everyone, everywhere has long been central to Mastercard’s mission. We are proud to have supported nearly 82,000 women entrepreneurs across multiple states in scaling their business through the SASHAKTI program. The success of this initiative is especially meaningful to us as it demonstrates how India’s spirit of entrepreneurship combined with strong collaboration can drive socio-economic progress.”
The event also marked the launch of SASHAKTI Success Stories–Part II, a compilation of transformative journeys of women entrepreneurs supported by the program.
Smt. Rajlaxmi Shah, Managing Director, Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal, said, “It is encouraging to see the collaboration between MAVIM, Mastercard, and Learning Links Foundation in empowering self-help groups across Maharashtra. In 2024, LLF trained 2,000 women associated with MAVIM, followed by 11,000 women this year across Pune and Raigad. Of these, 1,196 women have started or scaled their enterprises. As we move towards the vision of Viksit Bharat, women will continue to play a vital role in driving inclusive and sustainable growth.”
About the SASHAKTI Program
The SASHAKTI Women Entrepreneurship Program is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to upskill first and second-generation women entrepreneurs from low-income families with financial literacy, digital tools, and business planning support. Implemented by Learning Links Foundation and supported by Mastercard, the program has reached women entrepreneurs across Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh since its launch in 2022.
About Learning Links Foundation
Learning Links Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation committed to expanding opportunity through education, skill development, and community engagement. Since its founding, LLF has worked across India to create programmes that empower underserved communities, with a particular focus on women, youth, and marginalised groups.
