By Shruti Menon Seeboo
A powerful ‘Conclave for Women Entrepreneurs and Working Women in Mauritius’ was successfully held on 19 May 2025, at the Indian High Commission in Ebene. Organised by the Indian Business Council (IBC), the event served as a vibrant platform to celebrate the success and resilience of women in business across the island. The Conclave featured inspiring stories and engaging panel discussions, with resource persons from the IBC and distinguished guests sharing their personal journeys, professional milestones, and invaluable lessons learned along the way.
The Conclave gathered leading voices from business, diplomacy, and the community, sparking critical conversations about empowering women to drive economic growth and societal transformation. Here’s a detailed look at the profound insights shared by some of the eminent speakers.
Championing women-led development and IBC’s strategic vision
Opening the Conclave, Jayasankar Seshadri, President of the Indian Business Council (IBC) Mauritius, conveyed his deep sense of honour and privilege. “As the newly elected President of IBC Mauritius, I am honoured and privileged to be part of the Organising Committee hosting this ShePreneurs Conclave for Women Entrepreneurs and Working Women,” he stated. He applauded the IBC’s dedication to fostering women’s entrepreneurship in Mauritius, which he highlighted as being “in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Nari Shakti, where the focus has shifted from women development to women-led development.” He noted the IBC’s close collaboration with the EDB, actively “mentoring and training both Mauritian and Indian women entrepreneurs.”
Mr. Seshadri articulated the core aspirations for the Conclave: “We hope this event will highlight some of the challenges women face and how, in spite of these challenges, they rise above them and provide us inspiring stories of success.” He expressed gratitude for the calibre of speakers, acknowledging, “We have very distinguished speakers today and their insights and experiences will greatly enrich the delegations. We are extremely thankful to them for taking time off their busy schedules and making it a point to be present today.” He also extended appreciation to diplomatic partners, stating, “We are also very grateful to the High Commissioner for his constant support and encouragement.”
Acknowledging the foundational work of his predecessors, Mr. Seshadri stated, “The IBC has evolved into a respected and credible organisation thanks to the dedication and vision of those who came before us. I would like to formally acknowledge and express my sincere appreciation to former Presidents Mr. Pradeep Malik and Dr. Suresh Nanda, along with their respective management committees, for their invaluable contributions in laying a solid foundation for the IBC.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Seshadri unveiled four strategic priorities for the IBC’s future endeavours:
- Strengthening networks and building strategic partnerships: “IBC will proactively design and deliver high-impact events, forums and initiatives to foster meaningful connections amongst members.”
- Advocacy and policy influence: “As a collective voice for our members, IBC has the ability and responsibility to engage with key authorities on matters that impact our business environment. We aim to understand common challenges, propose constructive solutions and advocate for policies that not only benefit our members but also contribute to the broader monetary economy.”
- Advancing women in business: “Promoting the participation and success of women in business is not just a strategic priority, it is an economic imperative. We will work with the Economic Development Board of Mauritius and other stakeholders to launch targeted initiatives supporting women entrepreneurs and executives.”
- Collaboration with other business chambers: “My predecessors have laid the work for collaborations through MOUs with various local and international business chambers. These partnerships create valuable frameworks for cooperation and exchange. I intend to build on this momentum, revitalising existing alliances and foreforging new relationships, particularly with Africa-focused chambers. Strengthening the India-Mauritius-Africa business corridor will be an important part of our external engagement strategy.”
He concluded with a call to action for the community: “I call upon each of you to actively engage with the IBC. Your participation, perspectives and ideas are central to the Council’s success. Together we can create a vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking organisation that serves as a powerful voice for the business community.”
In a poignant moment, Mr. Seshadri extended condolences on behalf of IBC: “May I express, on behalf of IBC, our heartfelt condolences profoundly of our ex-member and former minister, Mr. Ramduth Jaddoo, who passed away recently. Mr. Jaddoo had a glorious career in Mauritian politics and served as Minister of Education, External Affairs, Public Works and Training and Development. He was also the Ambassador of Mauritius to France. Just a few weeks ago, the Honourable Prime Minister of Mauritius paid a moving tribute to him in Parliament. On a personal level for me, his passing away is an indescribable loss. A friend of over 25 years, he served as the Chairman of the Capital Support Group. He would always say jokingly that our relationship was a perfect example of Indo-Mauritian cooperation.”
The power of feminine energy and the full woman
Namita Jagarnath Hardowar, CSK, former President of the MCCI and Co-founder & MD of IES, took the stage, expressing her immense pleasure and gratitude to the IBC. “For me, this event is more than a gathering. It’s a movement,” she declared, articulating a profound vision for women in Mauritius. “A movement that says women are not just participating in the economy of Mauritius. They are shaping it. Boldly and creatively. And with a strength deeply rooted in feminine energy.”
Mrs. Hardowar then delved into the Mauritian landscape, acknowledging its “promise, but also the paradox.” She noted, “Mauritius has made notable strides. We are often cited as a model of stability and progress in Africa.” Yet, she pointed out the persistent challenges: “Women entrepreneurs still face multiple challenges in business… access to finance and market opportunities remain disproportionately skewed. Obtaining the relevant permits, licences and authorisations are still a daunting challenge. Societal expectations often limit the full expression of women’s professional and entrepreneurial potential.” She powerfully framed this not just as a gender issue, but as “an economic opportunity waiting to be unlocked, especially in the context of the talent crunch which Mauritius is facing right now.”
A significant part of her address focused on “the feminine energy, the power we now need.” She contrasted it with conventional metrics of success: “In a world where success is often measured through speed, competition and control, feminine energy offers something different and deeply needed in such a world.” This energy, she explained, “brings collaboration over competition, intuition among logic, nurture over dominance, and a long-term vision rooted in people and the planet.” She celebrated Mauritian women’s embodiment of this: “Mauritian women embody this every day, whether running a family business, leading a fintech startup, or managing a professional business. Women bring heart and resilience to their leadership. This energy is not soft. It is strong, wise and transformative.” She urged a shift in perspective, stating, “It’s time we start asking women to adapt to new models of leadership and start adapting leadership to include the feminine energy.”
Mrs. Hardowar highlighted the often “invisible workload” of Mauritian women balancing “multiple lives as mothers, daughters, caretakers, business owners and employees.” She stressed that “in our workplaces and policies, we continue to operate as though only one identity matters, the professional one. It is now essential to design systems that support a full woman, not just a worker. This means flexible work, support for caregiving, and a cultural shift that values emotional intelligence, empathy and holistic well-being.”
She then directly addressed the role of men: “Where are the men? The he-or-she begins here. To our male colleagues, leaders and decision-makers, your role is not peripheral. It is pivotal. We need men to be allies, not bystanders. Not just in rhetoric, but in action.” She urged men to “Be the investor who backs a woman-led startup. Be the CEO who champions flexible work. Be the mentor who opens doors without conditions.” Echoing a powerful message, she stated, “The he-or-she movement reminds us, when women rise, everyone rises. A more inclusive, gender-balanced economy is not just fair. It’s smarter, stronger, and more resilient.”
Sharing a personal story, Ms. Hardowar spoke of being “blessed to grow in a family where no disparity was made in terms of opportunities provided to both boys and girls,” and having “men bosses and mentors who believed in me, who encouraged me to rise professionally.” She acknowledged that “this chance and this luck and this blessing is not given to everyone.” A powerful revelation followed: “in 175 years of existence [of the MCCI], I’m the only second woman president. And the first of Indo-Mauritian origin.”
Her vision for Mauritius is one “where every girl grows up to see positive things in their own markets. Where a woman with an idea does not need permission, she needs a platform. A world where policy, capital, and culture are aligned to empower, not restrain, family leadership.” She called on the audience, “Let’s be the generation that redefines success. Not as a domination, but as a co-creation. Not as individual glory, but shared achievement. Let’s infuse our economic values, such as being alive, care, balance, intuition, and collaboration. These are not just women values. These are human values. And they are the foundation of thriving Mauritius.”
Mrs. Hardowar concluded with a rallying call: “To the ShePreneurs of Mauritius, you are not an exception. You are a force. To the men among us, all behind, but beside the women transforming this nation. And to all of us, this is our time to rebalance, to reimagine, to rise together.”
His Excellency Shri Anurag Srivastava: Women as the world’s underutilised growth engine and Indo-Mauritian partnership
His Excellency Shri Anurag Srivastava, the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, began by congratulating the IBC and its new office bearers, particularly applauding the women members for conceptualising and organising the Conclave. “It is good to see them start off with a bang to organise such events, particularly those events which focus more on people, on human stories,” he remarked.
The High Commissioner delved into the fundamental reasons for celebrating women’s empowerment. “Women have always been the backbone of the society,” he stated, highlighting their roles in nurturing families, preserving cultures, and shaping values. However, he pointed out a stark reality: “their participation in the economy is not only undervalued, it is under-counted and under-recognised.” He attributed this to “systemic biases and how economic productivity is defined,” noting that “household work, elderly care, children care… these activities which are essential for economic functioning, they are not counted.” He further addressed “a lot of unpaid work in the rural areas,” “wage disparities,” and how “women typically are categorised as non-workers, as housewives.” He also cited “gender stereotypes,” “unconscious biases,” and women being “weighed down by societal expectations.” He celebrated the resilience of women who “have carved out your success stories despite these challenges.”
A crucial point made by the High Commissioner was: “When we create space for women in business, we are not doing them a favour. We are doing society a favour. We are investing in what I believe is the world’s most underutilised growth engine. We are tapping into a talent pool which is rich, which is diverse, and which is damp.” He elaborated on women’s broader impact: “When women have access to opportunities, they not only uplift themselves, they uplift entire communities. They are agents of change. They bring about social innovation, inclusion. They create jobs. They spend in families. They build communities.”
He shared his personal conviction regarding women’s unique leadership qualities: “Women are truly unique as leaders. Women have a certain quality, which I believe is the defining quality of leadership in many ways, which is the ability to nurture. You see this in boardrooms. You see this in communities. You see this in startups. You see this in organisations all across.” He added, “When you have a woman boss, you associate the woman boss with empathy, the ability to listen. They don’t just drive performance. They inspire loyalty, personal growth. They are mentors. They are motivators for others.” He firmly stated, “This nurturing leadership style is not a soft style. It is a very strong style. It is strong in many enduring ways. It is the kind of leadership that makes people want to give their best because they believe that they are valued enough.” Additionally, he noted that “in times of crisis, women often bring calm, clarity, and compassion,” and “they also advocate for something which is becoming more and more popular these days, which is work-life balance.” He concluded this point by stating, “To me, this is what entrepreneurship is about. It is the ability to cultivate, to care, to create something which is truly meaningful, which is not just for oneself, but for others.”
The High Commissioner then highlighted India’s own transformation driven by women entrepreneurs. “We’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in our entrepreneurial landscape in the last few years… women entrepreneurs have come to play a very big role. They have, in a way, changed the face of business. They’re not only entering hotel rooms, they’re building companies from scratch.” He cited inspiring examples, including how Falguni Nayar (founder of Nykaa), “has, in less than a decade, built a billion-dollar enterprise.” He also mentioned supportive government initiatives like ‘Startup India, Standup India,’ and the ‘JAM Trinity’ (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile phone), which has significantly boosted women entrepreneurs, with 70% of beneficiaries in the Mudra Yojana micro-credit scheme being women. He proudly recalled the 100 women scientists behind Chandrayaan-3’s successful Moon landing, prompting the remark that “if Apollo 11 was hated as a giant leap for mankind, is Chandrayaan which is a giant leap for womankind?” This tribute to ‘Nari Shakti’ led to the landing spot being named ‘Shiv Shakti.’ He further highlighted women’s leadership in critical areas, citing the two women officers, Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Ramika Singh, who led the briefing for Operation Sindhu, conveying “a very very strong message… that our response to terrorism is firm, it is resolute, at the same time it is measured and responsible.”
Shifting focus to the local context, His Excellency noted “various examples of women occupying influential positions” in Mauritius. He underscored the profound bond between India and Mauritius: “This is an economic partnership. It is a special relationship. We share many things. We share history, we share culture, we share a common heritage.” Most importantly, he affirmed, “we share a common belief that when women rise, nations also rise.” He detailed how this partnership strengthens women through capacity building, citing the training of Mauritius’s first foreign woman officer of the National Coast Guard, Jagamma Prasitha, by the Indian Navy, and the first Mauritian woman helicopter pilot trained by India. “Our partnership is working very closely to further empower women,” he assured.
In his concluding remarks, the High Commissioner directly addressed the women entrepreneurs: “You are not just business leaders, you are role models. You are showing everyone here, particularly the next generation, that ambition has no gender. You are showing that leadership has no boundaries. You are showing that success is sweeter when it is shared.” He urged them to “keep pushing on boundaries. Seek out new markets, seek out new tools, seek out new allies as you go about your work.” He pledged the High Commission’s unwavering support: “We are here to partner with you. The High Commission will stand with you every step of the way. And together, let us build a network that uplifts a platform that empowers and a legacy that inspires all of us.”
Hon. Anishta Babooram: Unleashing ‘Nari Shakti’ for national development
Hon. Anishta Babooram, Junior Minister of Gender Equality and Family Welfare, passionately articulated the significance of the Conclave’s theme. “Everyone, I think has talked about it, we are celebrating tonight Nari Shakti,” she began. She defined ‘Nari Shakti’ as an “unmatched” force: “What we understand by this is that a woman has a kind of force, a kind of strength that is unmatched. Nobody can compare and nothing can compare to this strength.” This inherent power, she stressed, enables women to “manage not only her family but also society as a whole.” The event, she noted, celebrates “those women who have stood strong enough to be able to set up businesses and be leading in our society.”
As Junior Minister, she affirmed her deep personal and governmental commitment: “As the Junior Minister for Gender Equality and Family Welfare, I am deeply committed to the empowerment of women in every sphere because I believe that women care.” She emphasised women’s pivotal role in societal well-being, stating, “We know that when women thrive, families become stronger.” Challenging conventional perceptions, she powerfully declared, “Very often, there are many prejudices because people tend to say that women are made to give birth… But we give birth not only to children. We give birth to many other things. We give birth to businesses as well.”
The Minister highlighted the transformative power of women in the economy: “Empowering women in business is not simply about economic inclusion. We are going now to empower women to be able to innovate and to grow and to transform society.” She asserted that “Women can lead in business. That’s why you’re all sitting here tonight,” and noted their success in diverse fields, “They sell their products locally and export to other countries. This is the power of believing in our women.” She elaborated on the unique qualities women bring to leadership: “In fact, women are already demonstrating how businesses can be more ethical, inclusive and sustainable. Their leadership often embodies collaboration, long-term vision and a deep sense of responsibility towards society and towards the planet as a whole. And these are the qualities that we need from our leaders.”
Focusing on the Mauritian context, Hon. Babooram presented a compelling economic argument: “In Mauritius, women make up more than half of our population. Imagine the economic landscape in which we could build even if a fraction more of them were actively engaged in entrepreneurship and leadership roles.” She clarified, “This is not just a matter of charity. It is a matter of economic strategy and national development. That’s why we need more and more women involved in enterprises.” Drawing inspiration from Shirley Chisholm, she urged women, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” She called for further empowerment: “Let us empower our women not only to take a seat but also to lead the conversation because you can lead the conversation. You have a voice and this voice should be heard.”
Concluding her address, the Minister called for a collective recommitment: “As we celebrate the spirit of women in business this evening, let us also recommit ourselves to building an ecosystem that supports every shipowner with the resources, respect and recognition she deserves.” She extended gratitude to male allies, stating, “To all the men sitting here tonight, I would like to thank you for believing in women.” To the women present, she conveyed immense pride: “To all the women sitting here tonight, I must say that we are all very proud of you. Our government is really proud to see women more and more involved in business every day.” She expressed confidence in their future, assuring them, “As you grow our economy, I am sure that you will be rewarded equally. Thank you again for this meaningful initiative and I look forward to continuing this journey when we are celebrating.”
Dr. The Hon. Jyoti Jeetun: Purpose of the Law of Gravity in an entrepreneur’s journey
Dr. The Hon. Jyoti Jeetun, Minister of Financial Services and Economic Planning, offered a deeply personal and inspiring address, drawing lessons from her journey from rural Mauritius to her current ministerial role. “I grew up during independence time in rural Mauritius,” she shared, recalling her village, Triolet, where “almost everything revolved around the sugar industry and the sugarcane plantation.” In those days, “people were quite humble and working in sugarcane fields, and not many people were very educated. Girls mostly did not go beyond primary education because money was scarce, and secondary education was not free in those days.”
Minister Jeetun recounted her underprivileged background: “My parents were quite underprivileged. My father was a bus driver. He left school when he was in year two. So he hardly could sign his name. His mom never went to school. So I come from a background where, you know, education was not, girls’ education was not a priority.” Despite this, she possessed an unwavering drive: “But I had a deep hunger for learning, and for me, that has been my lifelong passport to where I am today.” She reflected on her journey, stating, “My journey from Triolet to here has been really driven by a very strong inner sense of purpose.” This purpose, she explained, can be a subconscious force: “Even being unaware, that sense of, very strong sense of purpose was there.”
She then introduced a profound analogy: “What is the most powerful thing around us is the law of gravity.” Drawing on her childhood fascination with astronomy, she highlighted how planets meticulously orbit the sun due to this invisible force, even at billions of miles away. “I think purpose in life is very similar to that,” she mused. “It keeps your focus on something… It is something extremely powerful.” For her, this purpose evolved: “In my case, my purpose in life since very childhood was get out of poverty, social mobility, economic mobility. And as I moved on in life, you know, I wanted a better life for my children. I didn’t want my children to have the same childhood as I had. So that was always the purpose is moving, but there is a purpose in life. That was my law of gravity. That, you know, we have to do better in life.” She clarified, “Purpose is different from ambition.”
Minister Jeetun underscored the critical role of education and lifelong learning. “Since the early age, I learned that and I understood that to succeed in life, one needed to invest in education.” Despite her parents’ financial constraints, she seized opportunities: “I was lucky to get secondary education because we got free education just when I was finishing my GCSE. That’s allowed me to do A-levels, but that was the end of the road for me.” Even after starting a family and a government job, her purpose persisted: “But my purpose was like this cannot be the end of the road for me. And so I started a lifelong model of learning… And that’s how I did my professional studies, my MBA, my PhD. All my life has been my own personal model of learning.”
Her life, she shared, has been deeply rooted in specific values, or ‘sanskar’:
- Effort and Hard Work: “It’s very important that we repeat it these days, the value of effort and hard work. Nothing comes easy in life. Nothing is for free. There is no free lunch out there.” She encourages entrepreneurship, asserting, “Hard work and effort is very important, and that’s, again, purpose. It drives your purpose.”
- Integrity: “The values of integrity, of being able to stand up for what you believe in.” Despite being an introvert, she affirmed, “when I believe in something, I will stand up for that no matter what.”
- Respect: “The values of respect, again, very important in our generation today. Value of respect for the elders. Value of respect for our colleagues… Even for our opponents.” She explained her approach to negotiations: “Every time I’ve negotiated a deal, I respect my opponent or the person on the other side. And every time I’ve completed a deal, that person has told me, you know, they have got respect for me because I put myself in their shoes as well… you have to have respect for, you know, for everyone.”
Reiterating her core message, she summarised, “A purpose in life is just like the law of gravity. It will bring you back, and it does a force that will make you succeed in life. And never losing focus. In good days and sometimes during bad days, which can be quite depressing. But if you remember your focus… it’s very important that we stay focused and not get bitter, not get frustrated, and be strong and positive. Just like planet earth rotates around the sun.”
Minister Jeetun highlighted that the story of women entrepreneurs is “not a very different story,” as they too combine these values and everyday realities. She affirmed that current government policy-making is “driven from experience” because ministers have “lived business and entrepreneurs first hand.” This includes understanding “the realities of the small planter” and the struggles of a “small entrepreneur” from personal family experiences. This approach ensures that “our policy making is driven from, inspired by experience,” aiming for policies that are “practically workable.”
Acknowledging challenges such as “Access to finance,” which impacts all entrepreneurs, she committed to finding solutions to support them, especially amidst rising interest rates and bureaucracy. She also touched upon Mauritius’s strategic position: “Because we are on the doorstep between India and Africa. And we will work together to make sure that we are part of this incredible story unfolding in front of us.” She thanked the Indian government and IBC for fostering the strong Mauritius-India relationship.
Concluding her address, Minister Jeetun outlined the government’s vision: “Our government is still fairly in the early days. So we have five years to work together to come up with a programme for economic growth… we are working on a Vision 2050. And a roadmap for where we want Mauritius, the new Mauritius to be.” She clarified the government’s role in job creation: “Government is not our role to create jobs. We don’t give jobs. We create, we facilitate a private sector, enterprise driven economy. And so it’s your job to create jobs. And we will be there to support you in as much as we can. For the private sector, for the private enterprises… For them to be able to create employment.” She extended her gratitude to all attendees, wishing them “a lot of success.”
Inspiring Journeys: The ‘Showcase – turning Dreams into Reality’ session
A true highlight of the Conclave was the compelling session titled ‘Showcase – Turning Dreams Into Reality.’ This segment brought three incredibly inspiring women speakers to the forefront, each sharing the intimate details of their unique entrepreneurial journeys. The session moved beyond theoretical discussions, offering attendees a direct window into the real-world experiences of women who have successfully navigated the complexities of establishing and growing their businesses in Mauritius.
The speakers included Aarti Abbi, Founder of Pink Elephant Handicrafts jewellery, who made a bold shift from her career as an educator across India, the Middle East, and Mauritius, to embark on a creative venture blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary jewellery designs. She was joined by Khushboo Varma, Co-founder of Delivoo, an innovative online delivery platform. Khushboo transitioned from an HR professional to contribute significantly to the development of Delivoo, a platform specifically designed to support home-based entrepreneurs. Completing the trio was Moumita Chatterjee, Founder of Curries and More. Moumita, also a former HR professional in India, literally turned her passion into reality, opening Curries & More in 2022 as the first and only Bengali restaurant in Mauritius. Their narratives covered everything from initial ideation and overcoming early hurdles to scaling operations and achieving significant milestones, serving as powerful testaments to vision, determination, and turning passions into thriving ventures.
Another significant segment of the Conclave was the dynamic Panel Discussion titled ‘Turning Passion into Profit.’ This session brought together an impressive lineup of women leaders who have masterfully woven their personal passions and diverse expertise into successful professional ventures, offering practical insights into monetising their core interests and values.
Panel discussion: Turning passion into profit
The panel featured Krishna Desai, Founder of UCMAS Mauritius, an architect by profession who transitioned to champion children’s brain development through mental arithmetic. She was joined by Archana Vajpayee Naik, Managing Director of Electrum Mauritius Ltd., an Indian professional with 28 years of remarkable journey in the telecommunications industry in Mauritius. The expertise continued with Aufia Yacoob, Head of Change and Transformation at MauBank, an accomplished banking professional with over two decades of diverse experience and numerous international accolades, including three Women Leader Awards. Also on the panel was Hema R Boolell, Head of IT at Currimjee Jeewanjee & Co Ltd., a seasoned professional with over 35 years of experience who made a unique shift from pharmacy to leading IT. Shweta Reedha, Agency Manager of Digital Kites Ltd, brought her decade-plus experience in communications and digital marketing, while Meenakshi Saxena, Executive Director at AMG Group, shared her insights as a law graduate from India who has excelled in Mauritius’s Offshore Financial Services industry since 2010, skillfully managing roles as both a professional and an entrepreneur. Their collective wisdom offered attendees invaluable strategies on identifying market opportunities, navigating challenges, and sustaining growth by aligning their work with their deepest passions.
