Toyota Kirloskar Motor supports rural women entrepreneurs in Karnataka

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has completed the 38th edition of its iCARE employee-volunteering initiative in Karnataka, India. The program, held in observance of World Entrepreneur’s Day, focused on supporting rural women entrepreneurs from the Krishikala Self Help Group (SHG).

Approximately 570 volunteers, including TKM employees and their families, worked alongside 15 women artisans to craft, polish, and finish roughly 260 eco-friendly home décor products made from bottle gourds. These items included decorative lamps, bird nests, pen holders, and wall hangings.

To address challenges regarding limited access to resources and working capital, TKM provided the Krishikala SHG with engraving machines and various crafting tools. This equipment is intended to help the group increase production capacity, improve product quality, and diversify its range, allowing the enterprise to expand and include more women from neighboring villages.