Poonam Sinha is a leader and entrepreneur from Bhasingapur village in the Parwalpur Block of Nalanda District, Bihar. Initially working as a housewife, she began to work as a Sakhi with SSP in 2016, promoting clean energy and personal hygiene products by opening her own grocery store in her village. Due to her excellent work and success in operating her business, she was promoted to the role of a Super Sakhi in 2018. Currently Poonam didi oversees the work of Sakhi’s from 10 different villages in her Block.
In 2023, Poonam didi was one of the women leaders who was selected to receive the ‘Subjee-Cooler’ and demonstrate its use in the community. The ‘Subjee-Cooler’ is an innovative device that can be used to store agricultural produce and keep it fresh by using water for cooling purposes. Since Poonam didi received the ‘Subjee-Cooler’, she expanded to selling fruits and vegetables in her grocery store as well. With the support of her son, she stocks up on 4-5 different vegetables every alternate day from the wholesale market and sells its at retail rates in her own shop. As a result of this endeavour, she is earning an additional income of Rs.1500 per day from selling fruits and vegetables. Poonam didi says that customers often ask her if her vegetables have been freshly plucked from the field, because they remain fresh and healthy throughout the day in the subjee cooler.
Today, Poonam didi has emerged as a strong leader in her community. She has also supported four other families in her village in starting their own businesses, and is helping community members access government schemes and finance. She continues to mentor new Sakhi’s and guide them in expanding their own clean-energy businesses.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
May 11, 2023