Kalpana Soren Receives BRICS CCI Women Empowerment Award

Jharkhandinc Bureau

NEW DELHI/RANCHI, March 23: Gandey MLA Kalpana Soren was conferred the ‘Women Empowerment Trailblazer Award’ at the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Annual Women Summit and Felicitation 2026 held in New Delhi, officials said.

The award, presented by the BRICS CCI Women Empowerment vertical, recognises contributions towards women-led development and grassroots empowerment initiatives.

Accepting the award, Soren said the recognition reflects the contribution of women across communities who are participating in economic and social development.

She said women are increasingly contributing across sectors including business, governance, science and innovation, and are emerging as key drivers of development.

Emphasising inclusive growth, she said there is a need to ensure greater participation of women from marginalised communities and expand their access to opportunities.

Referring to initiatives in Jharkhand, she said women are being encouraged to move beyond beneficiary roles and emerge as entrepreneurs and agents of change through self-help groups and local enterprises.

Soren also stressed the need to ensure equal opportunities for women to participate and lead.

The summit was attended by policymakers, industry representatives and international delegates, where discussions focused on women’s leadership, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth.

Among those present were former Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse, NIC Director General Abhishek Singh, former BRICS Sherpa Sanjay Bhattacharyya, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Coal Rupinder Brar, actor Shabana Azmi and actor Bhumi Pednekar, among others.