Uttarakhand woman scripts success story in economic empowerment

The adage Where there is a will, there is a way, holds true for Sumati Negi, an entrepreneur, who despite being illiterate, has established herself successfully in the business world.

By Ashish Goel

Kimsar (Uttarakhand), July 28 : The adage "Where there is a will, there is a way", holds true for Sumati Negi, an entrepreneur, who despite being illiterate, has established herself successfully in the business world.

Coming from a conservative rural milieu of Kimsar in Uttarakhand, Sumati Negi has scripted her own success story of economic empowerment and has become an inspiration to her contemporaries.

Sumati runs a small bakery unit in her village, which she handles single-handedly along with her husband and another worker.

Started with an investment of 90,000 rupees, Sumati's business has now grown manifold with a turnover of one million rupees in just one-and-a-half years.

Sumati, who recently visited Switzerland for advance training in bakery, said: "Last year, I had taken a loan of 90,000 rupees and started this bakery business. But it has expanded now."

Sumati's confectionary items have gained popularity with young and old alike and her success is inspiring many to try something of their own.

"We feel very happy that she has achieved so much of her own. We also want to do something and become independent like her," said Sudha, a neighbour.

With ancient practices like sati and child marriages still prevalent in remote areas of the country, the brighter side of women empowerment in India is reflected in the larger participation of women in workforce, schools, holding higher positions in corporate and government jobs.

ANI