In the village of Gumanpura, Rajasthan, where veils often render voices silent, the need for change was palpable. Employment opportunities were scarce, for women, in particular. That is, until Anjana Sharma, Director of Khejri Mahila Producer Company Limited, began the Maa Annapurna masala venture with other women who were seeking livelihoods. AU Foundation, the CSR wing of AU Small Finance Bank, also joined hands with these women to provide much needed support and training.
KMPC is a women forward enterprise. They are everywhere, and they do everything. From grinding spices to packaging them and getting them to the market, every aspect of the process is collectively managed by the women of the village. What they don't know, they learn. Through seminars and workshops, the women of KMPC are equipped with leadership, communication, and bookkeeping skills, empowering themselves to be better entrepreneurs.
The introduction of "masala sakhis" further amplifies their impact. These local women are tasked with selling KMPC's products door-to-door, building their confidence, as well as their ability to earn a decent living. The transformation is evident. Women who once hesitated to speak now sell with confidence. Moreover, the earnings from Maa Annapurna have enabled them to provide their children with quality education, ensuring that the next generation of women (and men) in these households are better equipped to navigate the world.
From its modest beginnings with just ten women, KMPC has grown to 110 female members through the transformative power of women collectives. As one of the members says, when women decide to take on a task, even the impossible becomes possible! True to form, the KPMC is on the path to achieve a turnover of Rs. 30-40 lakhs this fiscal year. They have already set themselves a target to achieve a turnover of Rs. 2 crore in the next two years.
This isn't just run of the mill company growth, these numbers represent the aspirations of an entire community of women. As these profits are distributed amongst the members, these monies make a tangible difference in the quality of lives of these women, enabling them to provide for their families in ways that were previously unimaginable.
The journey of KMPC shows us what is possible when a group of motivated women pool their talents and resources. It serves as a poignant reminder of the power of the collective, especially one forged in the fires of unity and common purpose.
To honor stories like Anjana Sharma and KMPC, AU Small Finance Bank presents Badlaav Humse Hai Season 2, in association with Network18. Just like the first season, Season 2 celebrates 25 stories that showcase changemakers whose unsung work has helped carve out cultural identities for communities, lifted them out of poverty; created access where only barriers existed; shown communities how to work with nature to create true sustainability; changed hearts and minds about othered communities; changed the lives of many through economic, social or educational empowerment, and much, much more.
Watch Season 2 of Badlaav Humse Hai for more stories like this one. You may also catch up on all the wonderful stories from Season 1.
Moneycontrol Journalists were not involved in the creation of the article.
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