Under the project ‘Increasing Income and Improving Risk Resilience of Farmers in Amreli’, Radhaben was trained to establish a Moringa Processing Unit. Before this transformation, Radha cultivated only groundnuts across her family’s 7 bighas of land. Although she is practising sustainable farming, she lacks the technical expertise to do it effectively. FWWB’s training introduced her to the preparation of biopesticides and biofertilizers, and the local Bio-Input Centre set up under the project further supported her transition to sustainable farming. Now, Radhaben has also started processing her groundnuts for oil instead of selling them as raw produce. This value addition has significantly increased her income, offering her better returns and making her farming more profitable. Radhaben recalls, “We had no idea about crop rotation or proper methods of planting crops like chillies and brinjal. The organisation taught us these things. In our area, very few people grow drumsticks. But since they are highly nutritious, I received support to start a business based on leaf powder production.”
“Rainfall is erratic in this region. Moringa is a climate-resilient crop ideal for such conditions. From the seeds sown on just half a bigha in June 2024, Radha now has 360 drumstick trees, which are already providing income.”
Radhaben’s drumstick powder has found buyers across multiple villages, including Shirvaniya, Sukhpar, Salangpur, Jasdan, and Vavdi. Its health benefits are being recognised locally—Radhaben herself noticed an improvement in her health after regularly consuming the powder. One of her relatives validates this result.
Inspired by the results, Radhaben has distributed drumstick seeds to fellow farmers and is now planning to cultivate drumsticks across three bighas of land. With support from FWWB, she is moving towards branding and marketing under the label ‘Dhara’, operating through her Krishna Enterprise.
Radhaben says, “Good health comes first. If we care for our health, everything else follows. I feel like I’m growing nectar in my field through these drumstick trees and other crops.” Alongside earning income from her newly established drumstick (Moringa) & vegetables drying unit, Radhaben now brings the gift of health to many in her community. Given the strong and growing market demand, Radhaben plans to expand this activity further in collaboration with the Self-Help Groups (SHGs) working in the region, positioning herself as a champion of women-led entrepreneurship and community well-being.
Initially, I wasn’t sure if the seeds given by the organisation would even sprout into drumstick trees. I was equally unsure about operating the solar dryer or making powder from the leaves using the machines. I often wondered—will I be able to justify the trust the organisation has placed in me? But today, I feel relieved and proud. Not only have I succeeded, but I have also generated income,” shares Radha Magan Rojasara, a 56-year-old farmer from Shirvaniya village, Babra taluka, Amreli district, Gujarat.
Amid the demands of a large joint family, Arpana Nikam quietly navigated financial strain and social expectations. While her husband’s income as a gym instructor provided some stability, it was not enough to meet the household’s needs. Her aspirations often met resistance, but her early experiences in nursing and beauty salons, along with the financial discipline she developed through her SHG savings group, laid the groundwork for something more.
In 2018, her turning point came with support from FWWB. The programme equipped her with business fundamentals and, more importantly, the confidence to begin. She started a small beauty parlour from her home, building a steady clientele through skill and consistency. Further training in 2022 helped her refine her services and move closer to financial independence, driven by her determination to secure a better future for her son.
Today, Arpana runs a well-established beauty and wellness parlour offering services such as threading, waxing, and hair treatments. She has diversified her income by designing imitation jewellery and renting wedding gowns, while also leveraging Instagram to expand her reach. With FWWB’s support, she formalised her business through essential branding materials and Udhyam registration, and accessed a PM SVANidhi loan of ₹10,000 to strengthen operations.
Her home-based venture has since grown into a training academy, where she mentors aspiring beauticians. In 2023, another FWWB programme strengthened her financial and digital skills, enabling her to introduce premium services like HydraFacials and Bollywood facials. A low-interest loan of ₹1 lakh helped her invest in modern equipment, further scaling her business.
With her husband sharing household responsibilities, Arpana has been able to focus fully on her enterprise. From earning ₹500–₹1,000 a month, she now makes up to ₹1.5 lakh in just two months during peak wedding season. Her savings have increased, and she now serves around 100 clients each month. Her work has also earned recognition, including the Best Bridal Artist Award from actress Ameesha Patel.
Arpana’s journey reflects more than financial growth—it marks a shift in confidence, identity, and agency. She now stands as a role model in her community, demonstrating how the right support can turn persistence into progress. Looking ahead, she aspires to own a fully equipped salon in a prime location and a home of her own, continuing to build a future on her own terms.
She says, “Training proved to be very beneficial for me. I learned about the different parameters that needed to be taken care of before starting any business. I learned that market must be nearby your business so that one can easily sell their products. Customers’ need must be taken care of and income from the business must be invested into the business only and not for any different purposes. I have also learned the importance of savings and insurance. People become wise with training and now I am a wiser person.” At the end, she acknowledged by saying “Thank you for helping us to see the bigger picture before commencing any business.”
“We had started the business of making and selling ‘puri’ (crispy, hollow fried dough shell used in Pani Puri) for Pani Puri, but we lacked the expertise to budget, brand, conduct market research, obtain the required legal documents, manage finances, or develop the business. We learnt all this after we joined FWWB in January 2025. It is thanks to the organisation’s training that we have gained customers from places like Savarkundla, Surat, and Rajkot.” These are the words of the four women behind Tulsi Enterprise in Mota Samadhiyala village, Amreli.
Mangalaben Ganpatbhai Desai (57), Dayaben Chaturbhai Sheladiya (50), Varshaben Ishwarben Rupareliya (44), and Rinkalben Nileshbhai Babda (42) have built a collective enterprise rooted in determination. After a 10-day training program by the SBI Foundation in 2024, they began producing food items such as papad, pickles, khakra, and Pani Puri puris, and formally launched their venture in January 2025.
“First of all, we raised capital for the business by contributing Rs 2500 each. Then we brought a roti maker, a ‘puri’ frying pan, etc., to make ‘puri’ and started making and selling them in the village itself. Meanwhile, we met the representatives of FWWB. Seeing our enthusiasm, they decided to train us in business management,” says Varsha Ruparelia.
Through FWWB’s training, they learned budgeting, branding, quality control, market research, and licensing. Of the 30 women trained, these four quickly applied their learnings, strengthening not just their puri business but also products like khakra and ragi papad.
With support from the Manav Kalyan scheme and FWWB, they acquired machines that improved efficiency. “Till now, it took four of us two hours to make, roll and fry a puri made of two kilos of flour. Now, we work with these two machines, so a two-kilo puri is prepared in one hour by only three people. With this, we will be able to prepare and sell more every day,” says Mangal Desai.
Their puris, made from rava and fried in groundnut oil, quickly gained popularity. “We were overjoyed when we received a big order of 1500 ‘puri’ from one of our customers from Surat in February 2025. After that, we also received an order of 3000 ‘puri’ from Surat itself. At that time, we used to pack them in boxes and send them. So, around 100 ‘puri’ were broken during delivery to the customer. The organisation convinced us to do nitrogen packing. They also brought us this machine, worth about Rs 1,00,000. In this, four of us gave 50 per cent as our contribution,” shares Rinkal Babda.
“With the help of the organisation, we conducted a program to celebrate Women’s Day on March 8, 2025. 60 women from our village participated. We fed all the women our Pani puri. In addition, the organisation gifted sanitary pads and a calendar on natural farming to each woman who participated that day. All the ladies who attended that program have become our customers. Tulsi Enterprise has sold ‘puri’ worth Rs 25,000 from January 26 to April 2025,” adds Daya Sheldiya.
Balancing household responsibilities, the women dedicate late evenings and afternoons to the business, maintaining detailed records and continuously exploring markets. Now part of the ‘Utkantha’ women’s FPO, they are expanding their reach and gaining exposure through fairs and training.
Their journey reflects how the right support, combined with initiative, can transform small beginnings into sustainable livelihoods.
She says, “Training proved to be very beneficial for me. I learned about the different parameters that needed to be taken care of before starting any business. I learned that market must be nearby your business so that one can easily sell their products. Customers’ need must be taken care of and income from the business must be invested into the business only and not for any different purposes. I have also learned the importance of savings and insurance. People become wise with training and now I am a wiser person.” At the end, she acknowledged by saying “Thank you for helping us to see the bigger picture before commencing any business.”
The verandah of M. Lalini Devi’s house bears testimony to her lineage in exquisite hand embroidery. On the walls are photographs of her mother, a national award winner, and her sister, a state award winner like Lalini herself. There are also posters giving information about the Shaphee Lanphee tradition of embroidery that she specialises in, and a collection of colourful shawls, stoles and bags.
Lalini lives in Imphal East in Wangkhei Yonglan Leirak, famous for the weaving of the Rani Phee. Shedding light on her tradition, she says, “Different clans do different kinds of embroidery. I inherited it from my mother, and she from her mother. [According to a myth,] a God said that the shawl should be embellished with different animals like buffalo, elephant, and elements like spear, sun, and moon. In earlier times this shawl was given to a person as an honour by the King to acknowledge his/her achievement. Now it is a necessary part of the lives of the tribal people who use it during marriages, and for burial.” Lalini got married in 1991, but tragedy struck a couple of years later when she lost her husband and new born son. She tried living at her in-law’s place with her daughter for a few years, but could not cope as there was no one to look after the child when she had to travel for work. She has been living at her maternal home for the past 16 years. Lalini’s daughter, now 24, is pursuing a course in Homeopathy in Madhya Pradesh. At present the household comprises her niece and herself. Her life revolves around her niece who she is devoted to, and of course, her work. She loves doing embroidery and has taken it up whole heartedly. She travels to trade fairs in the northeast, and also to Delhi and Mumbai.
She works out of a small inconsequential looking shed with plywood walls, but has a whole system in place. She has trained 13 people who now work for her. They tailor, weave and do embroidery. “We make shawls, table cloths, bags and cushion covers,” she says.“They are not bought by the common people as they are too expensive. It is all done by hand. Earlier we would do embroidery only on black, but now we use different base colours. [Often] I do fast and bad embroidery. There is a saying in Manipur that for the market one has to make it very fast, but it will not be of good quality,” she adds with disarming honesty. Her association with Chanura began in 2009 when she heard that there was actually an organisation that supports women’s businesses. In the first cycle, she got a loan of Rs 5,000 to buy threads and to pay wages. Earlier she used to sell her products in the local market, but was not able to earn much, but now she has found more profitable outlets in fairs in other towns and cities, as well as in handloom houses.
Sick of being dependent on kerosene and candles because of the irregular supply of electricity, she opted for solar lamps in consecutive cycles—a study lamp, Accendo lamp, and then two Mini Home Lighting systems. Solar has been a big boon for her as using electricity is a risk for her niece who is suffering from serious physical and mental illness. Lalini explains, “We use a solar fan in the house as my niece does not like the ceiling fan. She complains that her hair flies all over the place, and she feels uncomfortable. She needs the solar fan and light on 24 hours a day.”
Sharing her dream for the future, she says, “I want to open a showroom for my clothes. My dream also includes the solar lamp! I want the path leading to my house to be lit. Now it is dark and swampy. Another thing is, we have to keep the TV on 24×7 for my niece even when she is sleeping… I wish there could be a TV that runs on solar power!”
She says, “Training proved to be very beneficial for me. I learned about the different parameters that needed to be taken care of before starting any business. I learned that market must be nearby your business so that one can easily sell their products. Customers’ need must be taken care of and income from the business must be invested into the business only and not for any different purposes. I have also learned the importance of savings and insurance. People become wise with training and now I am a wiser person.” At the end, she acknowledged by saying “Thank you for helping us to see the bigger picture before commencing any business.”
In the verdant hills of Senapati district, Manipur, Elizabeth’s life has long been rooted in tradition and nature. A 48-year-old mother of six and wife of a retired Indian Army officer, she carries forward a deep knowledge of medicinal herbs passed down through generations. For years, she quietly prepared green tea with herbs at home, using it to care for her family.
In 2018, she decided to turn this knowledge into a livelihood. While her products were effective, her business lacked formal structure—no branding, registration, or standardised packaging. As a result, her reach remained limited to her immediate community.
What she needed was clear: technical training in green tea processing, support with FSSAI registration and product testing, help with branding, and access to markets and finance. These gaps began to close in early 2023, when she joined the FWWB programme. She underwent specialised training at TEAPHILLY, Greymoon Enterprise in Dimapur, Nagaland, where she learned the nuances of commercial production. With this, she rebranded her product as ‘EZ Barak’ green tea.
The support extended beyond training. She received assistance in securing FSSAI registration, developing product labels, and refining packaging. A loan of ₹1.9 lakh enabled her to invest in better materials and scale production. The official launch of her brand at the Senapati Skills Mela in March 2023 marked a significant shift—from a home-based activity to a recognised enterprise.
Her products soon found shelf space in local stores in Senapati and at Kohima Tea Store. Participation in platforms like the Hornbill Festival helped her build networks and visibility.
The impact has been tangible. Her monthly income rose from ₹27,000 to ₹35,000, with profits increasing from ₹16,000 to ₹22,000. Her savings grew significantly, and her customer base nearly doubled.
Beyond personal growth, Elizabeth has created opportunities for others. She employs and trains local women in green tea processing, building both skills and confidence within her community.
“This isn’t just about selling tea; it’s about creating a community… inspiring other women to believe in their potential,” she says.
Elizabeth’s journey reflects how traditional knowledge, when supported with the right inputs, can evolve into a sustainable enterprise—one that uplifts not just an individual, but an entire community.
As part of Jigyasa’s success story, the journeys of Saraswati Lakhanpal and Sunitabai Suresh—residents of Jhalpal village in Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh—reflect how targeted interventions can address everyday challenges in remote regions.
Saraswati lives with her husband and two daughters, Anjali and Arshita, while Sunitabai resides with her husband, son Yogesh, and daughter Kanika. Both families depend on agricultural labour and vegetable vending for their livelihoods. However, their village’s geographic isolation and frequent power outages made daily life difficult.
The lack of reliable electricity affected multiple aspects of their lives. Nights posed safety risks, with poor visibility and the threat of wild animals discouraging movement. Household chores became difficult after sunset, and children struggled to study under dim, unreliable lighting such as candles and kerosene lamps. These alternatives were not only expensive over time but also hazardous, with risks of burns and fire. Charging essential devices like mobile phones was another constant challenge, while existing solar kits provided limited power and required costly maintenance.
Despite these constraints, Saraswati and Sunitabai continued to manage their households with resilience. Recognising these challenges, Jigyasa, in partnership with FWWB, introduced solutions to improve energy access and financial stability.
Through customised loans, the families were able to upgrade their solar systems—adding panels, replacing damaged components, and investing in better batteries. This allowed them to store more energy and use it more efficiently. In addition, they were introduced to multifunctional solar lighting devices available through easy instalment plans. These devices provided reliable lighting, enabled mobile charging, and even supported radio use, improving both connectivity and safety.
The shift reduced their dependence on kerosene, candles, and battery-powered alternatives, easing financial pressure while also minimising health and safety risks. With better lighting, children could study more effectively, household tasks became manageable, and evening activities felt safer.
For Saraswati and Sunitabai, access to reliable energy has not just addressed a basic need—it has improved productivity, strengthened livelihoods, and brought a sense of security and stability to their daily lives.
She says, “Training proved to be very beneficial for me. I learned about the different parameters that needed to be taken care of before starting any business. I learned that market must be nearby your business so that one can easily sell their products. Customers’ need must be taken care of and income from the business must be invested into the business only and not for any different purposes. I have also learned the importance of savings and insurance. People become wise with training and now I am a wiser person.” At the end, she acknowledged by saying “Thank you for helping us to see the bigger picture before commencing any business.”
Seven years ago, Uma Devi left her home in Andhra Pradesh for Bengaluru, determined to support her son, who works in the city’s IT hub, and to build a more secure future for her family. With strong culinary skills and a clear sense of purpose, she started “Amma Tiffin,” a small tiffin centre near the IT corridor, catering to PG residents and office-goers.
Her home-style meals quickly found favour among customers seeking comfort food amid the fast pace of city life. What began with simple breakfast and lunch offerings gradually expanded to include party catering, with her non-vegetarian dishes gaining particular popularity. As demand grew, so did the need for structure and better business management.
In 2023, Uma Devi connected with FWWB, marking a turning point in her journey. Through structured training, she gained clarity on business planning, financial management, and customer engagement. Alongside this, she received support with registrations and compliance, helping formalise her enterprise. More importantly, the mentorship strengthened her confidence, enabling her to think beyond day-to-day operations and plan for growth.
With these inputs, she scaled her business significantly. Today, her tiffin centre runs two shifts a day, serving over 250 customers. She also handles around 10 catering orders each month, offering customised meals that continue to draw repeat clients.
The impact has been substantial. Her monthly income rose to around ₹1.8 lakh, with profits reaching ₹1.2 lakh. Her savings, once minimal, have grown steadily, and her customer base has more than doubled.
Beyond numbers, Uma Devi’s journey reflects a deeper shift—from a skilled home cook to a confident entrepreneur. She has become a source of inspiration within her community, demonstrating how the right support can translate effort into sustained success.
Looking ahead, she aims to establish a full-fledged hotel in Bengaluru, taking her food to a wider audience. Her journey stands as a reminder that even in a fast-moving urban landscape, consistency, skill, and the right guidance can build a thriving enterprise.
She shares “Before FWWB, I was cooking from my heart, but I didn’t know how to run a business. They taught me how to manage finances, plan effectively, and connect with customers. They made me believe I could do more.”
In the village of Padali in Pune’s Khed taluka, Chhaya Santosh Bhagade’s journey with ‘Dhanshree Masala’ reflects resilience shaped by necessity and strengthened through support. What began as a small home-based spice venture grew out of her need to support her family while offering pure, chemical-free products. Though her spices were well received, sustaining and scaling the business proved challenging.
Financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow, including the loss of two family members, forcing her to pause operations. Restarting required both emotional strength and financial rebuilding. Even as she resumed, market access remained limited. Customers appreciated the quality but perceived her products as expensive. At the same time, the absence of formal licences, structured billing, and effective branding restricted her growth.
Her turning point came through her association with FWWB. With their support, she secured the necessary licences, improved packaging, and adopted better branding practices. Training in financial management, sales, and communication helped her approach the business more strategically and engage customers with greater confidence.
To address distribution challenges, she made a bold investment—purchasing a four-wheeler and converting it into a mobile retail unit. This allowed her to directly reach rural customers, maintain product freshness, and build stronger relationships.
“Buying a four-wheeler for business felt risky, but it turned out to be the best decision,” she says. “Now, I reach more customers directly, and they love the convenience.”
Today, Dhanshree Masala offers 22 varieties of spices. Her income has grown from ₹65,000 to ₹1.5 lakh, with profits rising significantly and monthly savings increasing from ₹2,500 to ₹14,500.
Beyond financial gains, the business has evolved into a family enterprise, with her husband and son contributing to production and sales. Participation in exhibitions and local markets has further strengthened her visibility.
Looking ahead, Chhaya aims to expand into new districts and explore export opportunities. Her journey underscores how persistence, combined with the right inputs, can transform a small home-based activity into a sustainable and growing enterprise.
“It felt like I was packing gold in a simple paper bag,” Chhaya recalls. “People loved the taste, but the presentation didn’t match the quality. I knew I needed to change that.”
