The reasons for the slow progress are many. Saddled with household chores and domestic responsibilities they do not find it possible or desirable for total involvement in entrepreneurial activities. The instinct to play safe and remain content with small gains inhibits them from pursuing the bigger pot of gold. Traditionally, too, bankers and financial institutions are a little skeptical of their entrepreneurial abilities to risk their funds on them. Inspite of these odds, women have entered into small businesses and have also set up and run manufacturing enterprises sucessfully. These women have indisputably established thatwomen, if provided the right motivation and environment can become capable and succcessful entrepreneurs like their men counterparts.

Promotion of women entrepreneurs should form an integral part of our developmental efforts. Many are inclined to believe that the future of the small scale Industry depends very much on the entry of women and their participation.

Women should be motivated to try more challenging and rewarding economic activities. For starters, here are a few of the many projects which women can profitably take up:

1) Hosiery garments - Rs 25,000 Investment on minimum capital.

- Rs 20,000 working capital per month

- Raw material: Hosiery cloth, thread, elastic

2) File tags making - Rs 20,000 m.c.

- Rs 15,000 working capital p.m.

- Raw material: Cotton thread, metal strips, colours

3) Bakery products

- Rs 25,000 m.c.

- Rs 12,000 working capital p.m.

- Raw material: Flour, sugar, ghee, liquid glucose, packing material etc

4) Soft toys

- Rs 20,000 m.c.

- Rs10,000 working capital p.m.

- Raw material: Cloth, fibre, thread, etc

5)Plaster of Paris idols

- Rs 25,000 m.c.

- Rs 15,000/- working capital p.m

- Raw material: Plaster of Paris, colours

6)Leather articles

- Rs 30,000 m.c.

- Rs 25,000 working capital p.m.

- Leather, buckles, buttons, adhesives.

7) Mfg. of Aluminium hangers

- Rs 25,000 m.c.

- Rs 15,000 working capital p.m.

- Aluminium anodized wire

8)Scented Supari

- Rs 10,000.m.c.

- Rs 15,000 working capital p.m.

- Supari, edible flavours, peppermint.

9) Agarbattis

- Rs 30,000 - plain sticks, perfume, thinner

10) Musical cards

- Rs 15,000 m.c.

- Rs 20,000 working capital p.m.

- I.C. bits, PCB, mini film etc.

11) Ball pen, Refill material

- Rs 15,000 m.c. - Rs 10,000 working capital p.m.

- Polypropylene tubes, refilling ink, nozzles, packing boxes.

12) Liguid Blue

- Rs 30,000 m.c.

- Rs 16,000 working capital p.m.

- Dye, tinopal, CMC, stearic acid, scent, water.

13) Clothesstalls

- Rs 20,000 mc.. - Rs 20,000 working capital p.m.

- Cloth, zips, thread, etc.

14) Beauty Parlour - Rs 50,000 m,c.

- Rs 20,000 working capital p.m.

- Instruments, lotions, creams, perfumes, make-up kits.

The investment shown is minimum to start the project. Prices may vary from time to time. Therefore entrepreneurs should check-up the prevailing prices. The expected income per month will vary from project to project and will also depend on the quality of the finished product, the time the entrepreneurs can devote to the project and the marketing ability of the entrepreneur. The expected income may seasonably be expected within a range of Rs 8,000 to Rs 40,000 per month.

For further information contact Maharashtra Centre for Entrepreneurship Development is a state level organisation working for entrepreneurial development all over Maharashtra. MCED offers various programmes for different groups.

Women interested in setting up projects may contact MCED, C/o. MSSIDC, Laghu UdyogBhavan, Koliwada Road, Sewree (E). Ph.No. 412 38 32 / 416 05 14.

(The author is a senior project officer, MCED, Mumbai)