Meet Sangita Majhi, Puffed Rice Entrepreneur Who Is Changing Her Village's Fate

Financial autonomy has transformed the lives of many, and the compelling story of Sangita Majhi is a testament to this power. The 26-year-old from the Champajhar village in Odisha has carved out a remarkable path from a traditional homemaker to a thriving puffed rice entrepreneur in the Thakurmunda tehsil. Her journey to self-sufficiency was significantly shaped by the Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN), a non-profit organisation that is empowering underprivileged communities and social minorities through skill training programs and resources.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Majhi proudly shared her growth as an entrepreneur and the pivotal role of support systems and encouragement that backed her. Today, the 26-year-old is not only successful herself but is also fostering a positive change in her village by motivating other women towards economic independence.

Sangita Majhi's Story

Sangita Majhi lives in Champajhar with her husband, two sons, father-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law. In 2017, the then-20-year-old had just graduated from Keonjhar D.D. College when she was married to Paresh Chandra Majhi, a primary school teacher. She then dedicated herself to household work and looking after her in-laws. The family of six struggled with their finances too.

“My spouse’s income wasn’t enough to sustain the whole family and it was getting difficult to meet our ends,” Majhi recalled. That was when a community resource person (CRP) of their Panchayat told her about a vacancy for a Sarathi, a leader whose primary responsibility is to mobilise women to bring awareness and mobilise candidates for skill and employment.

This opportunity came under the Second Chance Education (SCE) program anchored by PRADAN and supported by United Nations Women. After applying, Majhi's educational qualifications coupled with her composure and confidence in the interview, helped her get selected as a Sarathi. However, the COVID-19 lockdowns followed by the birth of her son, Jagannath, put a halt to her career.

The uncertainty surrounding her future posed many challenges for Majhi. She was encouraged to attend some skill training that could help her embark on an entrepreneurial journey. She underwent programs like Start Your Business, Orientation on Business Plan Preparation, Grow Your Business, and Training on Book Keeping.

Road To Entrepreneurship

One day while returning home from training, Majhi was munching on mudi, or puffed rice, which she loved since her childhood; That was when a business idea hit her like a eureka moment. The plan to set up a puffed rice production unit in the Thakurmunda tehsil was almost like a no-brainer, considering it was a popular snack in the area but had no local dedicated manufacturer. 

Majhi set up shop near the marketplace and sought a loan from PRADAN for a puffed rice roaster machine. In June 2022, she secured a ₹30,000 loan under Rang De, a peer-to-peer social financing platform providing loans at an 8% return on investment to micro-enterprises. With the machinery in place, she then hired a worker with the experience of roasting puffed rice.

Majhi also watched many YouTube videos to learn how to make puffed rice. Despite her initial unfamiliarity with the machines, her persistence was unwavering. After several trials and errors, she perfected her skills and was ready to bring her business vision to life. Her dedication to utilising available resources, learning and adapting was key to her success as an entrepreneur. 

Challenges And Triumphs

While Majhi was setting up her business, many villagers doubted her capabilities and discouraged her because she is a woman. She recalled, "The villagers used to comment, 'You are a woman; what will you do in business, how will you support your family? But today I can make every decision in my life, besides supporting my family. I bear the education expenses of my elder son and contribute to the family that I am proud of!"

Today, Majhi's monthly turnover reaches about ₹40,000, with a substantial profit of about ₹22,000. "Since I have become an entrepreneur, I have created my own distinct identity in the hamlet," she reflected. She also noted the power of digital, leveraging social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, to grow her customer base and become a community role model. 

Supporting Women In The Community

For Majhi, earning money was not just about supporting her family but also becoming a pillar of strength. She expressed, "I feel financial independence of women is important for many reasons including security, decision-making, etc. It makes me feel more secure and respected; it allows me to make my own choices and decisions without relying on others."

Majhi also underscored how the support from her family played a pivotal role in bringing her dreams to life. She recalled how her mother-in-law, Jyotsnarani Majhi, would always encourage her to become self-dependent. She also added, "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."

Beyond just being a strong entrepreneur, Majhi also actively motivates other women in her community to independently achieve their goals. "I encourage women to aim and work hard. I also share my journey in public forums at the Palli Sabha, Grama Sabha (village level meeting), and at Block office, so that women can realise what they are capable of and what they can achieve. I always tell them to open their wings and fly high to achieve their dream as nothing is impossible."

Majhi has also attended training on gender-based violence. She highlights how a holistic approach to success and growth has been influential in her journey to recognising her self-worth and potential. Her story is a powerful example of how financial independence can drive not just personal success but also facilitate transformative change within communities.