Strengthening its deep-rooted commitment to Assam and its communities, ITC Sunrise Spices marked International Women’s Day by hosting Udyoini—a purpose-driven platform dedicated to recognizing and honoring women who have been driving meaningful change across the state.
The initiative, organized in collaboration with Red FM 93.5, felicitated 15 exceptional women achievers from different districts of Assam whose resilience, leadership, and entrepreneurial spirit have created a positive impact on families and local communities.
The event brought together institutional stakeholders and government officials, including Smt. Moyuri Ojha (Director of Handloom & Textiles, Ambari, Guwahati), Smt. Manju Rani Gogoi Talukdar (Joint Director Commissioner of Industries & Commerce, Assam Udyog Bhawan), Shri Mara Kocho, Managing Director, North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC), and Shri Omkarnath Rath, COO from the Department of Innovation, Incubation & Startups – Government of Assam, along with Shri Shouvik Chanda, Head and Director of the Bureau of Indian Standards, Guwahati.
Their presence highlighted the spirit of ecosystem partnerships that can convert novel individual initiatives into scalable and impactful transformation stories. The initiative also emphasized the importance of augmenting grassroots interventions with structured institutional support.
Conceptualized as more than a commemorative event, Udyoini was envisioned as a credible platform to elevate the journeys of women whose contributions often go untold. The initiative aimed to transform recognition into new opportunities through increased visibility, strengthened credibility, and stronger connections with government and entrepreneurial ecosystems.
From rural entrepreneurs to artisans, the felicitation spotlighted stories of determination that have powered Assam’s socio-economic progress. Women from different backgrounds and professions were honored for their outstanding achievements. The recipients included Dalimi Devi (retired teacher), Debayani Bhuyan (retired teacher and chef), Darshana Baruah (journalist), and Anushka Das (Founder – Anurupa Studio), among many other inspirational women.
The individual stories of these achievers have the potential to inspire countless others. Take, for example, Debayani Bhuyan, a passionate chef from Beltola, Guwahati, who operates two office canteens and promotes local cuisine deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of Northeast tribes.
Equally inspiring is the story of Dalimi Devi, a retired teacher who spent her entire life teaching beyond the classroom by educating underprivileged children free of cost. She also supports girls who have dropped out of school and trains them in knitting and stitching, helping them become financially independent.
Beyond the felicitation ceremony, the platform also enabled awardees to connect with important institutional networks, amplifying their journeys of determination while opening up multiple avenues for further growth.
Speaking at the event, Piyush Mishra, Business Head, Sunrise Spices, ITC Limited, said, “For decades, Sunrise has been an integral part of Assamese households through its regional offerings and brand initiatives. With initiatives like Udyoini, the brand seeks to expand its impact beyond the kitchen and into the larger Assamese community by empowering inspirational women achievers with recognition and growth pathways. We aim to strengthen the journeys of Assam’s women changemakers by providing them with a credible platform and facilitating institutional and administrative linkages, while inspiring more women to step forward with confidence and purpose.”
A representative from NEHHDC said, “Initiatives like Udyoini play a fundamental role in uplifting grassroots leadership that often goes unnoticed. By providing institutional visibility to these women through platforms like this, their credibility can be strengthened and new avenues for sustained growth can be created.”
A representative from the Department of Innovation, Incubation & Startups, Government of Assam, added, “Entrepreneurship at the grassroots level is a powerful driver of socio-economic progress. It is reassuring to see brands like Sunrise creating thoughtful platforms that celebrate women changemakers while also connecting them to larger support ecosystems.”
The event also featured an insightful panel discussion on women’s empowerment, with participation from distinguished speakers across sectors, further reinforcing the dialogue around inclusive growth and opportunity.
Through this initiative, ITC Sunrise Spices continues to strengthen its commitment to community development in Assam, reaffirming its belief that empowering women is integral to building resilient families, thriving local economies, and a more progressive society.
Sunrise’s multi-dimensional initiatives for women align with ITC’s broader women empowerment programme, which reaches over 6 million women across the country. These initiatives aim to help women realize their entrepreneurial potential through skilling, employment opportunities, financial capacity building, and participation in community-based grassroots institutions.
