Urmila’s Journey from Housewife to Entrepreneur: A Story of Support and Self-Reliance

Starting a Fast Food Enterprise with Self-Help Group Support, Earning ₹20,000 Monthly

A blend of enthusiasm, community support, and government assistance transformed Urmila from a housewife into a self-reliant entrepreneur.

Urmila, from Gram Panchayat Bhadyal, was a housewife until a few years ago, dedicating her time to household chores and her children. Her life took a turn when she joined the Bala Kameshwar Self Help Group, which boosted her confidence and introduced her to government initiatives for women empowerment.

Initial Steps: Urmila’s husband, Gopal Singh, works as a motor mechanic. Initially, she tried her hand at a clothing business to support her husband, but it wasn’t profitable in their rural area. She then took loans of ₹50,000 and later ₹1 lakh through the self-help group to start a fast food business. Additionally, she received a ₹40,000 loan under the Prime Minister Micro Food Processing Enterprise (PMFME) scheme.

Business Success: Urmila’s fast food business, Jalpa Fast Food, in Bhadyal market, now earns her a net income of over ₹20,000 per month. Her husband’s constant encouragement played a crucial role in this venture. The increased family income has allowed her to meet the educational and other needs of her two children.

Government Support: Urmila credits government schemes and incentives for promoting self-employment and self-reliance among rural women. The self-help group’s low-interest loans (at a rate of one percent) eased their financial burden, enabling them to start the business.

Official Statement: Deputy Commissioner Apoorva Devgan highlighted that self-help groups are being supported under the National Rural Livelihood Mission in Mandi district. In 2023-24, 1,257 self-help groups received ₹29.33 crore, and in the first quarter of 2024-25, ₹2.51 crore was distributed to 95 self-help groups for various enterprises.