๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ง, ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฌ
In Shevdi village of Nanded district in Maharashtra, when only four self-help groups were active, Sheetal Eklare saw both a challenge and an opportunity. Women were saving small amounts regularly, but financial insecurity continued to affect their lives. Sheetal believed that savings alone would not transform womenโs lives โ they needed opportunities to build their own enterprises.
As an Arogya Sakhi with Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), she began mobilising women in the village. On 22 February 2021, she facilitated the formation of the Mahatma Basaveshwar Arogya Sakhi Group. The group started with a modest monthly saving of โน100 per member. Soon, the women decided to move beyond savings and explore collective enterprise.
With an initial investment of โน10,000, the group purchased a pulse processing (dal-making) machine and began their small business. With continuous guidance from SSP, Sheetal later helped the group secure a bank loan of โน1 lakh, enabling them to expand into vermicelli (shevaya) and rice papad production.
Strong teamwork, clear role sharing, transparent bookkeeping, and disciplined planning helped the enterprise grow steadily. Over time, the group diversified into processing turmeric and chilli powder, supplying their products across Shevdi and nearly 10 neighbouring villages.
Sheetalโs leadership extends far beyond her own enterprise. She has helped women access โน40,000 seed capital under the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme, supported six SHGs in securing bank loans worth โน31 lakh, and provided business guidanceโdirectly and indirectlyโto nearly 5,000 women across Loha taluka, Nanded district.
Within the first six months, the enterprise generated โน11,000 through pulse processing and created employment for 10 women. Inspired by the groupโs success, several others in the village have started livestock and tailoring enterprises, expanding livelihood opportunities for many families.
Looking ahead, Sheetal dreams of establishing a modern food processing unit worth โน10 lakh and transforming Shevdi into a model village of women entrepreneurs.
โWomen should not limit themselves only to savings. When women start small enterprises of their own, they gain true financial independence,โ says Sheetal.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
05 March, 2026