Project UDAYA, A Tata Communications CSR Initiative in partnership with Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), today reached a significant milestone with the inauguration of a dedicated retail store in Alibaug (Maharashtra) showcasing products created by women entrepreneurs and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Established as the first multi-speciality store under the project, it aims to provide market access to grassroots entrepreneurs and support their journey towards greater economic independence.
The project promotes entrepreneurship among women from SC/ST communities, Self Help Group (SHG) members, and PwDs by enabling sustainable income generation through enterprise creation. The store, Udaya Bazaar, a CSR initiative by Tata Communications along with EDII will be managed by Women Entrepreneurs Association formed by project participants, reinforcing the initiative’s objective of creating women-led institutions and leadership at the community level.
The store marks an important step in enabling women and PwDs to move beyond entrepreneurship training and enterprise creation towards greater market participation and economic independence.
Over the years, Project Udaya by Tata Communications has:
- Expanded its presence in Maharashtra across the districts of Pune, Raigad, and Ratnagiri, covering 126 villages across 25 blocks, with many located in remote and underserved areas.
- Trained more than 1,650 women entrepreneurs and supported the establishment of over 950 women and PwD-led micro-enterprises.
- Supported the home market by creating products across categories such as food processing, handicrafts, textiles, wellness, home décor, and other locally made goods.
A Tata Communications spokesperson said, “At Tata Communications, we believe that businesses thrive when communities thrive. Our approach to community engagement goes beyond short-term interventions. We view our CSR programmes as long-term investments that strengthen communities, build resilience, and create pathways to shared prosperity. This commitment is reflected in our CSR initiatives, which impacted over 11.2 lakh lives in FY26. We are happy to offer women and PwD a platform to celebrate their confidence, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. Their success will pave the way for the expansion of this model to newer markets and communities. Through structured, outcome-driven interventions, we aim to create impact that is meaningful, scalable, and lasting.”
Dr. Prakash Solanki, Associate Professor and Project Director, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, “We are immensely proud of what we have built in partnership with Tata Communications. This store is far more than a retail outlet. It is a symbol of empowerment, inclusion, and local economic growth. Every shelf, every product, and every purchase reflects the aspirations, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of women who are creating brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.”
The store offers a range of locally manufactured products, including food and snacks, handicrafts, textiles and apparel, wellness and personal care products, home décor items, and other lifestyle goods.
Tata Communications approach to community engagement is rooted in advancing women’s economic inclusion by enabling greater participation in local economies through entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods. The store is a reflection of this ethos as Tata Communications continues to equip women with skills, resources and market access needed to build resilient income-generating enterprises to strengthen their financial independence.
