Vidya Lead Academy: Empowering Change through Learning and Leadership
Under the visionary leadership of Suneel Vatsyayan, Vidya Lead Academy is dedicated to fostering experiential learning, leadership development, and social impact. Rooted in evidence-based practices, our academy empowers individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resilience needed to address critical social and health challenges. Our academy provides practical, skill-based training to create a resilient workforce.
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Khadi and Village Industries: A Pathway to Women’s Empowerment and Stronger Families
it is a fabric of resilience, community, and empowerment. By strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through khadi and village industries, Delhi can reduce the social costs of work, empower women, and nurture families that are both swasth (healthy) and shashakt (empowered).
India’s labour trends present a paradox. While the overall unemployment rate is falling, female youth joblessness remains high. In Delhi, the participation of women in the service sector is shrinking, and average earnings show little improvement. At the same time, the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) has been remarkable—rising from 1.78 lakh in 2022–23 to 4.19 lakh in 2023–24.
The story behind this growth highlights both a challenge and a solution. The social costs of going to work—safety, commuting, and the burden of unpaid care—still restrict women’s participation in the workforce. Yet, Khadi and Village Industries in Delhi are demonstrating how women-led entrepreneurship can reduce these barriers and open new opportunities.
Khadi as the Cornerstone of Women’s Participation
Khadi and village industries are more than just a livelihood option; they are a cultural and social safety net. By enabling women to work close to home, they lower the hidden costs of employment while providing dignity, flexibility, and income security. Women involved in khadi production, tailoring, and value-added craft enterprises are not only earning but also gaining leadership, confidence, and recognition in their communities.
Voices from the Entrepreneur Champion Award 2025
During the Entrepreneur Champion Award 2025, where Mr. Vatsyayan, CEO of Vidya Lead Academy, served as a Jury Member, inspiring stories of women entrepreneurs came to light. Many of these MSMEs, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, are now thriving, employing women freelancers, and creating ripple effects of empowerment.
Ravi Gupta, Entrepreneurship Mentor and expert in Career Management, Personality Development, Health management Life Skills, and Stress Handling, emphasized that the social cost of work—often overlooked in policy discussions—needs greater attention. Addressing these costs is key to sustaining women’s participation in the labour force.
Leadership and Policy Vision
The momentum of women’s entrepreneurship aligns with the leadership vision at both state and national levels. Under the guidance of the Honourable Chief Minister of Delhi and the Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, who launched the campaign “Swasth Nari, Shashakt Parivar” on his 75th birthday, initiatives such as Kutir Udyog (cottage industries) can form the foundation for Shashakt Parivar (empowered families)
Khadi and village industries embody this vision by promoting women’s health, economic independence, and family well-being—making them central to a stronger and more resilient society.
The Way Ahead
For Delhi, scaling up khadi and village industries as a strength-based solution requires:
Expanding access to microcredit and market linkages.
Supporting skill-building and digital literacy for women entrepreneurs.
Recognizing and addressing the social costs of work, including childcare and mobility challenges.
Building stronger connections between community enterprises and national campaigns like Swasth Nari, Shashakt Parivar.
Khadi is not just a fabric—it is a fabric of resilience, community, and empowerment. By strengthening women’s entrepreneurship through khadi and village industries, Delhi can reduce the social costs of work, empower women, and nurture families that are both swasth (healthy) and shashakt (empowered).
By Vidya Lead Academy | In collaboration with Nada India Foundation "Empowerment is not something handed down—it is discovered, nurtured, and lived." — Dr. Kakoli Dey The recent session of Vidya Lead Academy , in association with Nada India Foundation , marked a powerful milestone in our mission to shape healthier campuses and conscious young citizens . Students from Manav Rachna International School, Faridabad , joined hands with youth from Shimla and Jamshedpur , bringing with them not just energy and curiosity but an urgent desire to act , reflect , and lead . Under the insightful mentorship of Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan (Life Coach and CEO, Vidya Lead Academy ) and Ms. Hiral Krishnatray , the session created a nurturing environment where young voices felt heard and respected. What emerged was not a lecture—but a shared space for self-discovery , social insight , and purpose-driven learning . A Special Guest with a Transformative Message We were honored to host Prof. ...
Designed by: Chetan Suwalka Community Action Team (CAT) Member Nada Young India Network for Good Health Guiding Lights: How Mentorship Illuminates the Path for Today’s Youth 🕊️ Bridging the Gap Between Classroom, Community, and Civil Society From our earliest days, guidance from parents, teachers, and elders has played a central role in shaping our values, aspirations, and direction in life. These early mentors serve as the foundation upon which we build our goals. Yet, in the face of today’s rapidly evolving world, traditional guidance—while still essential—often falls short. The development of today’s youth is influenced by a multitude of factors: complex family structures, societal expectations, economic stressors, cultural shifts, and psychological challenges. Navigating such a landscape demands more than academic knowledge. Young people must be equipped with emotional resilience, ethical awareness, decision-making ability, and critical thinking skills to thrive and contribut...
Reclaiming Vidya: A Reflection on Anganwadi Centres and the Soul of Learning By Navpreet Kaur, Intern, Nada India Foundation | June 2025 Cohort, Healthy Campus: Prioritizing Good Health & Well-being Today, I had the opportunity to engage in a deeply thought-provoking conversation with Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan , founder and mentor of Vidya Lead Academy and Chairperson of Nada India Foundation. As part of my internship with Nada Foundation and the Healthy Campus course under Appreciative Enquiry, I’ve been on a journey of rediscovering the roots and purpose of education. Our dialogue focused on a topic that is close to my heart—Anganwadi centers. Growing up, I attended an Anganwadi center before moving to Delhi. Sadly, my memories are not fond ones. The environment was disheartening. Children showed up primarily to receive meals. Teachers, often untrained, were more interested in household tasks like knitting or shelling peas than in teaching or nurturing young minds. Learning...
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