by Shivani
Last week I met a lady entrepreneur, Akanksha Pundir, distributing state of the art, well-made and eco-friendly school bags to the school children in our village Kherala, in Haryana, India. I later discovered her roots were from this very village. Her maternal grandfather hailed from Kherala. Equally inspiring was her grandmother, who was actively associated with the village school. Carrying forward this legacy, Akanksha also contributes to schools by sponsoring needy students for their education. A major part of her family belongs to the armed forces in India.
Driven by a clear vision, Akanksha and her husband founded CREA in 2005 with the aim of positioning India as a global manufacturing hub for bags. What started as a small venture has grown into a world-class, award-winning organization with over 400 employees, offering end-to-end brand merchandising solutions, from design and production, to delivery. Today, CREA operates across India, UAE and Australia, serving clients in 28 countries. Her forward-thinking approach focuses on innovation and sustainability, and she envisions CREA becoming a global leader in eco-friendly, customizable, carry-solutions by 2035, using biodegradable materials and AI-driven technology.
One of the most defining moments she shared was of her journey during her visit to Germany for the prestigious Hannover Fair. As one of the few Indian women entrepreneurs present, she confidently represented the country on a global stage. When a European delegate questioned India’s ability to meet international standards of quality and sustainability, Akanksha responded with quiet confidence, pointing to the very bag he was carrying and revealing that it was manufactured in her own factory in India. This powerful moment not only highlighted her belief in Indian craftsmanship but also showcased the nation’s growing strength in sustainable manufacturing.
Hopefully more and more citizens will become connected to their roots like Akanksha. The same goes for the Diaspora living abroad.
Shivani is a former student of this school in Kerala and now persuing her B.A. Hons. Course in Gurugram, Haryana
