Apollo Tyres recognized the achievements of eight women entrepreneurs from Project Navya, an initiative by the Apollo Tyres Foundation designed to empower rural women. The event, held in collaboration with the French Institute in India (IFI), welcomed Dr. Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, and Onkar Kanwar, Chairman of Apollo Tyres Ltd.
Since 2019, #EkNaam has highlighted grassroots changemakers who uplift their communities, Apollo said. Over the years, Apollo Tyres has celebrated more than 40 women leaders, it said. As part of the sixth edition of #EkNaam, Apollo Tyres women entrepreneurs honored include:
- Leena Krishnakumar, Kerala: Overcame financial hardship to empower 20 women;
- Raji K K, Kerala: Supports 80 women in apiculture despite struggling to afford education for her children;
- Nilamben Rameshbhai Parmar, Gujarat: Leads vegetable cultivation and mentors 50 women;
- Snehalben Sanjaybhai Parmar, Gujarat: Runs a pickle-making business and has trained 125 women;
- Shabira Abubhai Shaikh, Maharashtra: Left by her husband, she empowered over 80 women in dairy and poultry farming;
- Vaishali Pravin Shelar, Maharashtra: Turned tailoring skills into a training platform for 400 women;
- Sanchita Daphal, Maharashtra: Launched a dairy cooperative for her community; and
- G Devi, Tamil Nadu: Tackled waste management with 24 women to transform local sanitation.
Apollo Tyres Helps Shine Spotlight on Women Entrepreneurs
Dr. Thierry Mathou praised the collaboration between Apollo Tyres and IFI and commended the Foundation’s dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Paris 2024 Paralympic Bronze Medalist Simran Sharma and Padma Shree awardee Dulari Devi also attended and were honored by Onkar Kanwar.
Kanwar emphasized the company’s long-standing commitment to community empowerment and commended the Foundation’s role in fostering women’s entrepreneurial growth. As of December 2024, the Apollo Tyres Foundation has supported over 24,000 rural women.
Beyond Project Navya, the French Institute in India continues to collaborate with Apollo Tyres to foster equality and diversity. The “French for All, French for a Better Future” initiative introduces French language education in 38 government schools across Delhi, engaging nearly 4,000 students, Apollo said.
The initiative also includes diversity awareness sessions. It will culminate in a school-based wall art project designed to promote inclusion and cross-cultural learning.
