Early Life & Education

Although Madhura Chatrapathy did not receive a conventional school education, she possessed a deep enthusiasm for learning from an early age. After completing a degree in science, she earned a postgraduate diploma in journalism. She later secured first rank and won gold medals in postgraduate diploma programmes in advertising and marketing.

During her college days, she actively participated in the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and aero modelling, attaining the rank of Senior Under Officer in the NCC.

Entrepreneurial Journey

Madhura first established her own food manufacturing enterprise with technical support from the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysuru. The company she founded, Food Associates, today markets its products both in India and abroad.

Together with like-minded women entrepreneurs, she co-founded the Association of Women Entrepreneurs of Karnataka (AWAKE), the country's first organisation for women entrepreneurs.

She also founded ASCENT (Asian Centre for Entrepreneurial Initiatives), an organisation working to strengthen entrepreneurship across Asia and Africa. Through ASCENT, she conceptualised and implemented a wide range of entrepreneurship development programmes in 40 countries.

Contributions

ASCENT trained 600 artisan footwear-making families in Belagavi district in technology, business management, and entrepreneurship. As a result, these families came together to establish an enterprise called Toe Hold. The Kolhapuri footwear produced by this organisation is now in demand across the world. This success story has been included as a case study by the Indian School of Business and has also been recognised by the Asian Development Bank.

Madhura serves as an international consultant to several agencies of the United Nations. She has advised organisations including UNDP, ILO, UNIDO, the World Bank, the International Trade Centre, and several other international institutions.

She has also authored numerous books on the subject of entrepreneurship.

Awards & Recognition

Madhura's outstanding service has earned her numerous national and international honours and awards. These include the National Award presented by the President of India through the NSIC, the Kempegowda Award, and the Rajyotsava Award.

In recognition of her contribution to entrepreneurship development, Mangalore University conferred upon her an Honorary D.Litt., while Tumkur University honoured her with the title of Honorary Professor. She has also received an award from ISBR Business School for her exceptional service.

The United States Department of State selected her from among 150,000 nominees worldwide and honoured her with a Distinguished International Award.

Rotary

Madhura holds the distinction of being Asia's first woman District Governor of Rotary. She has received Rotary International's prestigious "Service Above Self" Award, while the Rotary Foundation has also honoured her for her outstanding service. She additionally served as Associate Editor of Rotary News magazine for four years.

Legacy

As reported in The Times of India, "bringing about change in the lives of both men and women" is the guiding mission of Madhura's life.

Sources 

https://rotarynewsonline.org/madhura-chatrapathy-her-dynamic-legacy-transcends-time/