8 DECEMBER2023INFOCUSINFOCUSThe Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) has awarded INR 120.76 lakhs to the Kerala State Association of Financial Inclusion Institute (KASAFI), providing a considerable boost to the state's entrepreneurial scene.The financial assistance was formally given away on November 25, 2023 at the Finance Ministry's credit extension event in Thiruvananthapuram. The sum was personally delivered to KASAFI President K. Paul Thomas by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting economic empowerment.This joint project of KASAFI and SIDBI is set to have a long-term effect by holding different training programs and seminars for women entrepreneurship development in major districts such as Wayanad, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram.In addition to the significant SIDBI investment, KASAFI is investing an extra Rs. 13,41,800 lakhs in the plan. The fundamental goal of the initiative, according to K Paul Thomas, is to empower 5000 women via financial help and training, opening the road for them to become successful micro-entrepreneurs. The inflow of capital is a key step toward strengthening the region's economic ecology and supporting long-term growth. Sheetal Devi, a teen para-archer from Kishtwar district in J&K has been awarded the `Best Youth Athlete of the Year' award at the Asian Paralympic Committee's award ceremony. This makes Sheetal the very first Indian to bag the prestigious honour.The award ceremony was held in Riyadh.Sheetal is the world's first armless archer. At the Hangzhou Asian Para Games-2022, she won a hat-trick of medals. She had in her kitty a gold medal in the archery women's individual compound open event along with a gold medal in mixed team compound event and a silver in the women's doubles compound event.This feat also makes Sheetal the very first Indian woman to bag two gold medals in a single edition of the Asian Para Games.Sheetal had earlier received praise from Indian PM, Narendra Modi, and J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.Sheetal's latest laurels include shining along with other Indian para-archers at the Para Asian Archery Championships-2023 in Bangkok. SIDBI ALLOCATES RS. 120.76 LAKHS FOR WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN KERALAPARA-ARCHER SHEETAL DEVI WINS 'BEST YOUTH ATHLETE OF THE YEAR'
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