Widowed young, Basanti Nahaka of Regdakhol village in Odisha’s Angul district, has emerged as a successful micro-entrepreneur with the support of her producer group. Here’s her story in her own words.
In the serene village of Gabarmunda, nestled in the tranquil Angul district, my life took a significant turn at the age of 17 when I married Plusti Nahaka in 2001.
We settled in Regdakhol village, where we began our journey together as daily wage labourers while running a small grocery shop.
Despite the hard work, our life was modest but fulfilling – until 2012, when an unexpected tragedy struck.
Plusti passed away suddenly, leaving me to face the immense challenge of managing our family and the struggling shop alone.
The turning point in my life came in 2016 when I joined the Banani Mahila Sangha, a producer group.
Before joining the producer group, my financial situation was quite precarious.
I was often forced to sell minor forest products to middlemen at unfairly low prices, which left me struggling to make ends meet.
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Joining the group marked a new beginning for me.
The collective efforts and support of the group equipped me with new skills and strategies to market my products directly at fair prices, bypassing intermediaries.
In addition, I started producing eco-friendly siali leaf plates.
I collaborated with other members of our producer group to extract mustard oil.
We were successful and managed to produce 15 litres from 45 kilograms of seeds. I sold mustard oil locally in our village and also in other markets. This helped me revive my grocery shop and earn more.
This newfound financial stability helped me educate my children. I was also able to arrange my daughters’ marriages and ensure a secure future for my family.
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Today, I continue to manage my thriving shop and support my son’s education while maintaining a financial safety net for emergencies.
Reflecting on my journey as a widow micro-entrepreneur, I see how resilience, self-belief and the support from my producer group have shaped my path.
My story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of perseverance and collective action.
As I look back, I often think about how far I’ve come.
I am proud to say that I have at least 1,000 rupees left at the end of the month. I use it for emergencies and future needs.
I am self-sufficient now. I no longer borrow money at high interest.
My journey highlights how community support can create a brighter future for all.
From being a widow with financial struggles to a self-sufficient community leader as a micro-entrepreneur, my work has not only improved my life but also inspired others in my village.
Also Read: Tribal women seize opportunities, turn micro entrepreneurs
Photography and reporting by Mamali Sahoo, an independent journalist and a development professional, who is associated with Vasundhara, a grassroots organisation in Odisha.
