Please tell us about yourself

Founder President of Awadh Mango Growers Association, Founder UP Mango Festival, now in its 6th year promoting small farmers and rural entrepreneurship, boosting ecotourism and agribusiness. Creating a direct link between farmers and consumers and increasing profits for farmers and rural producer groups.

Working on skill development and creating self reliance amongst women’s groups in village Saidanpur, Distt Barabanki and in Lucknow. Founded FICCI FLO Lucknow Kanpur chapter and involved at a national level as part of the governing body of FLO working for women’s empowerment

Volunteer for Daan Utsav, India’s ‘festival of giving’.

Share about what you do

Managing the family Mango Orchard in Saidanpur Village, Barabanki and part of YPARD, young people in Agricultural Research and Development. Conceptualised and organise an annual Mango festival, farmers market and festival in Lucknow since 2013, bringing together farmers, consumers, members of the press, government, institutions in research for agriculture and endeavoring to put Lucknow on the Mango map of the country, attracting culinary tourism too. From 2016 onward the event is on the calendar of UP Tourism and is organized in collaboration with the relevant government bodies.

Actively working in our family’s ancestral village Saidanpur to improve lives of women and children with health, hygiene, livelihoods and many awareness initiatives.

Joint Secretary for Cheshire Home, Lucknow, supporting disabled children, adults and aged people in Lucknow, particularly in Livelihoods for people with disability, in the spirit of supporting and moving them from dis-ability to ability.

I was the Founder Chairperson FLO Lucknow-Kanpur Chapter 2015-16 and have built an enthusiastic team of FLO members in Lucknow and Kanpur committed to women’s empowerment, now a member of FICCI FLO National Governing Body.

Daan Utsav, India’s largest festival of giving has become a focus area and coordinated 120 events in Lucknow, Kanpur and Allahabad in 2016 & 2017, continues to coordinate and mentor going forward

Say something about your beginning

Grew up part of a family where we were very involved with each other’s work. My parents were first generation entrepreneurs and were committed to social entrepreneurship creating livelihoods in rural Punjab. I learnt a lot from them.

An MBA from the CASS Business School in London and a graduate from St. Stephens College, Delhi University. With over 2 decades of experience in strategic marketing across different industries including being part of the start up team for Air Arabia, the Middle East’s first low cost Airline, heading Marketing.

Over 7 years ago, the family moved to Lucknow, and working as a team with my supportive husband Amar, I have restored our over 250 year old family home in Hazratganj into a boutique retail space, bringing the best fashion brands in India to Lucknow. Habibullah Estate is now an iconic destination in Lucknow where old meets the new, a snapshot of the past with modern style and pizzazz.

Actively working in our family’s ancestral village Saidanpur to improve lives of women and children with health, hygiene, livelihoods and many awareness initiatives.

What have been some of your achievements

• Founder and annual organiser of Lucknow Mango Festival since 2013 creating employment in rural UP around the orchards, promoting eco and food tourism, agribusiness, craft and more. The annual Mango festival, farmers market and festival brings together for the first time farmers, consumers, members of the press, government, institutions in research for agriculture. Endeavoring to put Lucknow on the Mango map of the country, attracting culinary tourism too. From 2016 onward the event is on the calendar of UP Tourism and is organized in collaboration with the relevant government bodies.
• Conceptualising and creating Lucknow’s first heritage boutique Retail Space at Habibullah Estate
  – restored the old family home Habibullah Estate, Hazratganj into a retail space, managing the space with brands like Ritu Kumar and Kimaya (previously), Anokhi, Satya Paul, Cherry Tree Cafe and Geetanjali Salon. Created a new retail concept of boutique shopping in Lucknow, bringing the best fashion brands in India to Lucknow creating an iconic destination.
• Founder Chairperson FICCI FLO Lucknow-Kanpur Chapter April 2015-April 2016
• Launched FLO in Lucknow and Kanpur with 120 members, 200 members at year end
• Launched PAN India initiatives – for women’s empowerment WE, Swayam, Women Drivers and skilling
• Conceptualised and led 1st FLO Women Awards of Uttar Pradesh (now in its 3rd year) – we ask for external nominations through print and other media and have been receiving over 250 nominations and award over 25 women in different categories, with cash prizes for rural awardees

Actively working in our family’s ancestral village Saidanpur to improve lives of women and children with health, hygiene, livelihoods and many awareness initiatives. Enabled funding for English and Digital learning for girls and women.

Set up a tailoring centre in the village – close to 100 women have been trained and have a source of livelihood now.

The difference you have made to others

enabled self help groups to start in village Saidanpur – Got the training and helped a food processing group to set up -developed the brand name – Saidanpuri – with the first batch of products sold at UP Mango Festival in 2017

Health and awareness initiatives in Saidanpur ensuring the women and girls have access to medical help and awareness about menstrual hygiene as well as a supply of reusable eco-friendly pads
Enabled funding for English and Digital learning for girls and women.
Set up a tailoring centre in the village – close to 100 women have been trained and have a source of livelihood now
Self confidence and motivation programs for girls in Saidanpur

Founding FICCI FLO UP chapter has given meaning to the lives of many women who can now work as a team to help underprivileged women and focus on promoting entrepreneurship and professional excellence among women through workshops, seminars, conferences, training and capacity building programmes etc. The objective of the organization is to encourage and facilitate women to showcase their talents, skills, experiences and energies across sectors and verticals of the economy, for a truly inclusive economic growth trajectory.

As a mentor for AIESEC I mentor students and help them discover their inner potential, involving them in the activities for community development

developing an organic lifestyle, :

1. Handling our waste by vermicomposting so that only recyclable waste goes out from the house.
2. Producing organic food wherever you live, and growing your own food , whether on a terrace, balcony , or garden.
3. With special attention to water conservation and energy conservation by using alternative energy
4. Developing this to empower women to grow their own organic food wherever they are, whether in the villages, or cities and to be self sufficient in food and energy.

What do you want to be acknowledged for

My contribution to the empowerment of women, helping women towards sustainable livelihoods and self respect, creating spaces for community participation for changing perceptions about gender, working towards gender equality and recognising women for their potential.

Anything else you wish to share

Actively involved in community development and building youth as participatory for community development and growth as a member of YPARD, young people in Agricultural Research and Development, Friends of UP Coalition, Mentor for AIESEC, Mentor for other Entrepreneurs and NGOs – Yeh Ek Soch (YES) Foundation and Limen Solutions.
Actively involved with many organisations for the empowerment of women over the years in Delhi, Dubai and now in Lucknow.

  Jyotsna is a multi-faceted leader. The name behind Lucknow Mango Festival, Habibullah Estate Lucknow and the Founder Chairperson of FICCI FLO, Lucknow-Kanpur chapter

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