Her vision to uplift females through entrepreneurship, empower 200 women
Vikram Sharma
JAMMU: Anita Devi, once left hapless and unfortunate in 2017, has today transformed into a self-sufficient woman who earns a dignified living while also providing employment opportunities for other women. Her journey from despair to empowerment is a testament to resilience, determination, and the spirit of self-reliance.
In 2017, Anita’s life took a tragic turn when her husband, allegedly mentally disabled, left their home and went missing. Left without any source of income, she found herself struggling to raise her two young children. “I was left in acute pain as I had no means to support my family. However, after a few days of struggle, my brother stepped in to help me set up a small mushroom cultivation business at home, which I could manage along with my daily chores,” Anita recalls.
A resident of Kotli Tanda in Akhnoor, Anita faced severe hardships between 2017 and 2018. The financial crisis was so dire that her family lacked basic necessities, including food. With no means of earning, the burden of raising her children fell solely on her shoulders. She knew she had only one option: to find a way to sustain herself and her family through her own efforts.
Determined to change her circumstances, Anita started cooking meals for people from her home. Alongside this, she continued nurturing her mushroom farming initiative. Slowly but steadily, she started gaining confidence and financial stability. With her perseverance, she formed a group of women who joined her in the mushroom farming venture, while also assisting her in preparing meals. Today, she leads a thriving self-help group under the initiative Umeed, empowering numerous women to become financially independent.
Anita’s entrepreneurial journey has flourished. She has now planted 100 bags of mushrooms, with all the work being managed collectively by the women in her group. In addition to mushroom farming, these women have expanded their business to include pickle-making. Under the banner of Umeed, they now produce and sell various types of pickles, reaching an ever-growing customer base.
Taking her ambitions a step further, Anita and her team have recently begun cultivating turmeric. Though initially planted on just one kanal of land, she envisions expanding the cultivation significantly. In the near future, she plans to establish a turmeric grinding unit, packaging the product for the market, thus adding another stream of revenue for the women working with her.
Reflecting on her journey, Anita expresses immense satisfaction with how far she has come while talking to The News Now . “Today, my Dogra Kitchen is running successfully, and mushrooms are selling well. Whatever profit we make is distributed among the women according to their work,” she explains. However, she remains restless, eager to expand her efforts. “At present, we are able to provide employment to 15-20 women, but my dream is to provide jobs to 200 women. That’s why I am continuously working to organize and empower more women. My life has transformed because of work, and I want to bring the same change to other women’s lives.”
Her perseverance has also positively impacted her children’s future. “There was a time when I struggled to pay for their education. Today, my daughter Usha is in class 11, and my son Surendra is studying in class 12 in reputed schools,” she proudly shares.
Anita urges every woman to think beyond household duties and prepare for an independent future. “Times are tough, and running a household solely on the husband’s income is no longer feasible. Women must step forward and contribute financially. When women earn, the household flourishes, and families live with greater happiness and stability. It’s time women break free from the confines of their homes and embrace work alongside their domestic responsibilities.”
A day in Anita’s life is a testament to her dedication and hard work. She wakes up at 5 a.m. to begin preparations for Dogra Kitchen. By 7-8 a.m., she is busy overseeing the mushroom farming process. Afternoons are spent managing the pickle-making business, while evenings are dedicated to running the kitchen and packing freshly harvested mushrooms. “I hardly notice when the morning turns into evening. Life must go on like this so that happiness increases in our homes and spreads to others as well,” she says with a smile.
