Minister for Energy Radha Gyawali was the chief guest at the event. Miss Nepal 2014 Subin Limbu, along with Miss Nepal Earth 2014 Prinsha Shrestha and Miss Nepal International Sonie Rajbhandari, were also present at the inauguration of the festival.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Minister Gyawali applauded the women entrepreneurs and also requested them to invest—among others—in the energy sector, which is lagging behind in our country.

The event saw an enthusiastic participation by women—all clad in red saris and ornaments and in a festive mood. Dignitaries and women entrepreneurs from different walks of life were also present at the event. Also featured were sales and exhibitions of all kinds of Teej-related merchandise under the same roof on the fourth floor of the UWTC. With more than 100 stalls, including some selling food, the shoppers can expect to “be spoilt for choices. The five-day-long festival will also feature cultural events as well as fashion shows on a daily basis.

“We’ve provided 10 stalls for free to women from poor economic backgrounds”, said Milu Thapa, the President of the Women’s Creation Centre. “Our main aim is to produce more women entrepreneurs and empower them to become independent,” she added. The organisers will also provide the Best Women Entrepreneur Award to one of the entrepreneurs at the end of the festival. They also expressed their commitment to financially support Rihana, who was set ablaze by her in-laws in Banke District, and is currently undergoing treatment at Bir Hospital.  

The festival is also scheduled to be held in Pokhara from August 1 to 3.