Entrepreneur Indira Sapkota, 80, was honoured as the Princess Helen Shah Inspirational Woman of the Year, 2018, amid a function held in Kathmandu on Sunday. Sapkota is the managing director at AAD Tayari Poshak, founder of Nepal Grihini Udhyog, president of Bhotu-Indira Social Welfare Organisation, and managing director of Sahara Khaya Udyog. 

Alongside Sapkota were six other women—Neha Banu Shah, from The Women Co; Nicky Lama, from Eco Soap Bank Nepal; Nita Rai, from Food Mario; Smriti Tuladhar, from Little Nepal Inn; Subekchya Hada, from Sinka Restaurant; and Abha Dhital, from Little Things;—who were recognised for their achievements in the field of entrepreneurship.  The awards were presented jointly by the Zonta Club of Kathmandu and Womenwill GBG Kathmandu.  Prior to the award function, the organising groups had hosted Zonta’s Yellow Rose Day and Womenwill Fest 2018, at the same venue.

The event saw the participation of many influential and experienced women who have done exceptionally well in their respective entrepreneurial ventures. Moreover, the event had also included training sessions on leadership, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship: the sessions saw three noted entrepreneurs—Amit Agrawal, manager at GBG and CEO of Janaki Technology; Aayushi KC, founder of Khalisisi; and Shreejana Rana, executive director of Hotel Annapurna—share their stories. The organisers also announced that the six up-and-coming entrepreneurs would be offered mentorship from experienced business mentors. Said mentors include Srijana Shakya Jyoti, Ava Shah, and Shreejana Rana, among others.

Speaking at the event, Shreejana Rana, who is also the president of Zonta Club of Kathmandu, said: “It’s an honour to celebrate such a wonderful event with such inspiring women and, of course, it feels good to recognise talented young entrepreneurs who have carved a niche for themselves in a male dominated market.”