'Women carving niche in today's entrepreneurial ecosystem'

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 23

Actor Swara Bhaskar was in Amritsar to present the FICCI FLO Food Awards 2021, by the city chapter of FICCI FLO. Sharing her love for food and her inability to still cook food, Swara said she always looked forward to gorge on the ever-famous Amritsari cuisine, especially the street food.

“I have heard a lot about the street food here and this is my third visit to city, although I could never really get an opportunity to stay longer and enjoy all things Amritsari. The first two times I was here were in 2005 and then in 2015 when I crossed through Wagah to go to Lahore to visit a dear friend of mine. And this time I really look forward to try those famous kulchas,” she said.

She also said how she was open to the idea of working in a Punjabi film. “I would really love to if someone offers me a Punjabi film.” A big lover of comfort food, she shared how her childhood was mostly about eating homecooked food by her mother.

“My mother is an amazing cook, though I am yet to acquire some culinary skills, I really love to gorge on boiled white rice mixed with salt and ghee. That’s my go-to comfort food,” she shared. As she presented the food awards in various categories to winners, she also lauded the efforts of women foodpreneurs, who have managed to grow amid challanges thrown by the pandemic.

“My grandmother, who was a homemaker, was an inspiration for us as she had excellent management skills. If given a chance, she would have made a great entrepreneur as managing a large household is not an easy task. She also managed to make money during a difficult phase when my grandfather was not earning. She did that at a time when there was no social media, no marketing platforms, no technological support and when small businesses were not considered good. I believe that women are really changing the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Manjot Dhillon, chairperson, FICCI FLO, Amritsar, said these food awards were a way to encourage the efforts of home-grown small food businesses that have managed to make their mark. “Among the winners were food entrepreneurs from Ludhiana, Jallandhar and Amritsar. The food and hospitality industry has really gone through a tough time during pandemic and we wanted to laud the efforts of these niche, small yet significant food brands that have not only done well business wise but also offer unique food experience for customers.”