Women entrepreneurs are redefining what development looks like in India's most remote corners. 

Across tribal communities, women are turning age-old skills into sustainable livelihoods, proving that economic independence can grow from cultural roots rather than at their expense. 

At just 24, Debongshi Chakma is doing exactly that. From Mizoram's Lawngtlai district, the young entrepreneur has built a 500-member collective that is helping women earn livelihoods through traditional tribal crafts while ensuring that the cultural heritage of the Chakma community continues to thrive. 

Building opportunities where they are needed most

For Debongshi, entrepreneurship was never just about business.

As a member of the Chakma tribe, she grew up surrounded by rich cultural traditions, from weaving and bamboo craftsmanship to indigenous food practices and jhum cultivation. 

But she also witnessed the challenges many women in her community faced, particularly those dealing with economic hardship or social vulnerabilities, including divorced........

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