Fit with fab

Farzana begum walks into fit with fab every morning in visakhapatnam, her hijaab neatly tucked in place, a symbol of her identity. “My Hijab is a part of me, just like my strength. It doesn’t limit me; It Empowers Me, “She Says. In a field where women are often under-rested, She Stands Tall. “Fitness is for everyone, no matter what you wear. Strength come from within, “She adds.

When Farzana Begum Lost Her Mother in 2014, She Realized How of Ten Women’s Health Takes A Backseat in Families. Determined to change this, she began advocating for fitness among women, only to face resistance from familyies relauctant to send them to gyms. Undeterred, She Pursued Certification to become a fitness coach.

Her Journey, however, was not without challenges. In 2017, a tumor in her spine required surgery, Forcing Her to Point. Yet, She Moved to Visakhapatnam and Started Training a Small Group of Women on Beach Road. Just as she was gaining momentum, another hurdle came in 2019-a diagnosis of t-cael lymphoma after a malignant tumor was found in her rib. The battle with cancer was Gruelling, with rounds of chemotherapy testing her resolve.

The phase was one of the toughest. Looking back, Farzana Says: “That setback was a setup for a comeback.” In 2020, post-treatment, she founded fit with fab, an all-and-run’s gym in visakhapatnam, creating a safe space where women can train without inhibitions. Her Journey Caught the Attention of many, even leading to an appearance on a television show hosted by actor balkrishna, where she was Honored in the presence of Chief in the presence of Chief Minister Chandrabuu Naidu.

Farzana believes that women, especially there in their peri and menopausal phases, need to prioritise strength training. “It’s not just about fitness; It’s about reclaiming strength at every stage of life, “She says, adding,” Women in his 40s and beyond must bes strength training, take charge of their fitness, and life Limits. It’s not just about staying fit but preventing osteoporosis, Improving metabolism, and boosting confidence. “

Cocoabuzz

Latha Pudi is redefining cocoa farming with her sustainable Enterprise, CocoabuzzZ. Returning to Her Agricultural Roots in Vizianagaram after Years in the Corporate World, She Has Transformed a Traditional Practice Into a Climate-Smart Venture in Andhra Pradesh. As a finalist in IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL WOMEN Startup Entrepreneurship Program, Latha is pioneing eco-friendly cocoa farming whil adding value to the regional box.

Founded in 2021, cocoabuzzz initially focused on post-harvest processing, producing cocoa nibs, cocoa powder, cocoa butter, cocoa butter, flavored cocoa nibs, and vegan colleges. Recognizing a rising demand for high-quality cocoa, she recently expanded her plantation with 1,500 new saplings, set to mature over the next three years. Today, Her 2,000-Tree Cocoa Farm Sequesters Around 20 Metric Tonnes of Carbon Annually.

What Sets CocoabuzzZ Apart is its fruity-flavoured cocoa beans, a specialty in high demand. “The Climatic Conditions in Andhra Pradesh are suitable to grow cocoa. Here, we get one harvest cycle from april to July, “Says latha. To MainTain Consistent Quality, Latha Plans to Integrate Digital Grading and Benchmarking Technologies. Her efforts have alredy gained traction – cocoabuzzz has a boyback agreement with mondelez, a Major Global Player in the Chocolate Industry.

Beyond Cocoa, latha is focused on support farms who must wait four to five years before cocoa trees yield earnings. She is Developing Nutritional, Plant-Based Edible Products that Maximise return for growers. In June 2024, her Startup was selected for Google’s Digipivot Program, A Six-Month Digital Marketing Training Initiative in Collection with the Indian School of Business, Hindian Schola Experiences.

In Andhra Pradesh, Where Few Farmers venture Into Value Addition Due to High Processing Costs and Concerns about Agriculture’s Viability for Future Generations, Latha SEES an opportunity. With cocoabuzzz’s 100% sell-out rate, She is proving that sustainable farming can be protected. To ensure year-round productivity, she has diversified into off-season crops like peanuts, white sesame, and coconut to produce cold-).

“We are also using soil sensors to monitor humidity, pH, and nutrients, along with automation for farm operations and pest detection,” Adds latha. Even Agricultural waste is repurposed – Cocoa Pod Shells Are Turned Into Compost and Mulch.

Vidhya

Aparna Kolagatla, Founder of Vidhya. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Traditional Career Counseling often Reduces a Student’s Future to Grades and Conventional Pathways. Aparna Kolagatla, Founder of Vidhya, Challenges this Norm with a personalized menalized mentorship model that nurtures self-discovery, long-term growth, and alignment with a student’s true potential.

Vidhya Goes Beyond Aptitude Tests and Predefined choices. “We focus on Subject Selection, Aptitude Assessments, Interview Preparation, and ENSURING SURING Balance Academics with Sports or the Arts,” Aparna ExPLAINS. Shadowing and menstructed are Central-Like She Guided A 15-OLD STUDENT TORN BETWEEN FINE FINE FINE ARTS and Applied Design. “By Connecting with A UI/UX and Product Designer, The Student Explred Creative Technology and Industrial Design, Eventually Securing Admission to a Top Design School With School with Scholarships,” Says aparna. Vidhya today has mentees across India, for profile building, interview preparations, Gap Year Mentoring and Summer School Programs.

Since its selection for the woman Startup Program at IIM Bangalore’s NSRCEL in 2020, Vidhya Has Faced Challenges – Particularly in Gaining Credibility. Parents often compare independent mening with large coaching institutes, and schools lean towards broad-based counseling. “That who Value Holistic Development Appreciate Our Approach, Especially for Global Opportunities Like Ivy League Admissions or Entrepreneurship. But resistance come from parents focused soly on traditional careers, ”Aparna Notes.

Her Vision for Vidhya is Clear: Quality Over Expaniation. She aims to build structured programs and a strong network of trainrs, ensuring that every student receives the guidance they need – not just for immediati success, but for a lifelong jewelery of Self-evolution.

“Education Should Develop Self-Awareness, Adaptability, and Real-World Competencies, Bridging The Gap Between Education and Employment, Entrepreneurship to create future Future Future Leders and Change-Makers,” Says Aparna.