Many lives have been changed by financial independence, and Sangita Majhi's inspiring story is proof of this impact. The 26-year-old Odisha native from Champajhar village has made a remarkable transition from a conventional homemaker to a successful puffed rice business owner in the Thakurmunda tehsil. The Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a nonprofit that provides resources and skill-training programs to empower social minorities and impoverished communities, had a major influence on her path to self-sufficiency. When speaking with SheThePeople, Majhi gladly discussed how she had developed as an entrepreneur and the vital impact that encouragement and support networks had played in her success. In addition to being successful in her own right now, the 26-year-old is inspiring other women in her town to pursue financial freedom.

Sangita Majhi's Story ~

Sangita Majhi's life took an unexpected turn after marrying Paresh Chandra Majhi, a dedicated elementary school teacher, in 2017. Despite her youth and recent graduation from Keonjhar D.D. College, Sangita quickly adapted to her new role, managing household duties and caring for her extended family, which included her husband, two young boys, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. The family of six, however, struggled with financial challenges, relying solely on Paresh's modest income. "It was becoming harder to make ends meet, and my spouse's income wasn't enough to support the whole family," Sangita recalled. That's when she learned of a position for a Sarathi  from a community resource person (CRP) in their Panchayat. The work entailed organizing women to raise awareness and organize applicants for skills and jobs.

This opportunity was provided by UN Women and PRADAN as part of the Second Chance Education (SCE) program. Majhi's scholastic background and interview poise, together with her self-assurance, helped her be chosen as a Sarathi when she applied. But her career was cut short by the COVID-19 lockdowns that coincided with the birth of her son, Jagannath. Majhi faced various obstacles because of the uncertainties surrounding her future. She was urged to go to some skill-building classes that would enable her to start her own business. She participated in Start Your Business, Grow Your Business, Orientation on Business Plan Preparation, and Bookkeeping Training programs.


(Source: Google Images) 

Road To Entrepreneurship ~

Majhi was enjoying some puffed rice, which she had liked since she was a young child, one day on her way home from training when she had an epiphany about a business concept. Given that puffed rice was a popular food in the area but lacked a specialized local producer, the idea of establishing a production unit for it in the Thakurmunda tehsil seemed virtually obvious. Majhi opened up a shop next to the market and asked PRADAN for a loan so that she could purchase a puffed rice roaster machine. She was able to obtain a ₹30,000 loan in June 2022 through Rang De, a peer-to-peer social financing platform that offers microenterprises loans with an 8% return on investment. After setting up the equipment, she employed a worker who had previously roasted puffed rice. Majhi also studied a lot of puffed rice recipes on YouTube. She wasn't familiar with the machines at first, but she persisted without wavering. She refined her abilities and was prepared to realize her company idea after going through several false starts. The secret to her success as an entrepreneur was her commitment to making the most of the resources at her disposal, learning, and adapting.

Many villagers disapproved of Majhi's business venture and questioned her ability due to her gender. "You are a woman; what will you do in business, how will you support your family?" the locals used to ask, she recounted.
''But aside from providing for my family, I can now decide on every aspect of my life. I support the family that I am proud of and pay my older son's educational costs." Currently, Majhi generates a healthy profit of over ₹22,000 on a monthly turnover of roughly ₹40,000. "Since I have become an entrepreneur, I have created my own distinct identity in the hamlet," she said. She also mentioned how she used social media sites like Facebook and WhatsApp to expand her clientele and establish herself as a community leader, demonstrating the power of technology.

Providing Community Support For Women ~


(Source: Google Images) 

Majhi saw making money as a means of becoming a strong leader as well as a means of providing for her family. She said, "I think women must be financially independent for a variety of reasons, such as security and decision-making. It gives me a sense of security and respect and gives me the freedom to make decisions on my own without consulting anyone else." Majhi further emphasized how important her family's support was to realizing her dreams. She recounted how Jyotsnarani Majhi, her mother-in-law, had always pushed her to learn how to support herself. She additionally stated, "My husband has always supported me in strengthening my business; He also helped me with household work so I could get more involved in my career."

Majhi has also participated in training on violence against women. She emphasizes how her road to realizing her potential and self-worth was influenced by a holistic approach to growth and achievement. Her narrative serves as a potent illustration of how achieving financial freedom may spur both individual achievement and community transformation.