Former Chief Secretary Ratnaprabha and others starting a training program for women entrepreneurs in Hubballi. | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE
Former general secretary Ratnaprabha said that while women in rural areas benefit from schemes and self-help groups, women in tier-II cities often lack exposure and are forced to go through business processes alone.
She recently spoke at the launch of a training program titled ‘Business Beyond Boundaries Through Digital Transformation’ organized by MSMEs Development and Facilitation Office in collaboration with Ubuntu Consortium of Women Entrepreneurs Association in Hubballi recently.
Ms Ratnaprabha, who is also president of the Ubuntu Consortium, said it was created to guide and mentor women in smaller towns in starting and scaling businesses.
As an example, she said a Hubballi entrepreneur involved in the spice business was transferred to Malaysia through the association, which helped her secure major contracts and expand her business.
Ms. Ratnaprabha encouraged women to embrace new technologies to grow and diversify their businesses.
Recalling her days as Chief Secretary, Ms. Ratnaprabha said it was a challenging phase as the existing industrial policy was coming to an end and a new policy was to be introduced.
“A chapter for women has been incorporated in the policy revision along with provisions for industrial parks, incentives, exhibitions and international certification,” she said.
Briefing the consortium, she said what started with eight associations has now grown to 65 associations representing nearly 30,000 women entrepreneurs.
“It is a small and silent revolution,” she said, adding that successive chief ministers have extended support to such initiatives that have contributed to Karnataka’s progress in the industrial sector.
Inaugurating the seminar, Shashi Kumar M., Joint Director, MSME Development and Facilitation Office, Hubballi, emphasized the need for digitization, standardization, globalization as growth is beyond borders.
Digital transformation is no longer optional for SMEs, but a bridge between local capabilities and global opportunities. “Digital tools reduce costs, expand reach and increase competitiveness. Knowledge without implementation has no impact. I encourage all participants to actively participate, ask questions and make the most of this opportunity,” he said.
He added that the Hubballi MSME Development and Facilitation Authority is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs in formalizing, expanding operations and facilitating access to government schemes.
Urging entrepreneurs to think beyond traditional markets, he said a small unit in Hubballi can cater to customers in Bengaluru, Dubai or even Europe if digitally enabled. “Geography is no longer a limitation,” he said.
North Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association (NKSSIA) President Ramesh Patil said focusing on product and service quality will help them stay in business and urged them to use digital tools to market their products.
Consortium Secretary Jyoti Balakrishna, businesswomen Devaki Yoganand and Deepali Gotadki were present. A number of businesswomen participated in the training program.
Published – 01 March 2026 18:34 IST
