Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Hundreds of women in Sardar Nagar village, Gadarpur, are now financially independent, thanks to a grassroots initiative led by a local entrepreneur. Rekha Narula, a resident of the village, has empowered nearly 200 women by training them in various skills, providing them with a sustainable livelihood.
Five years ago, Rekha Narula started a self-help group to tackle her own family’s financial challenges. As she diversified her income streams—first through sewing and embroidery, and later by making and selling over 30 types of pickles—she realized that other women in her village could also benefit from similar opportunities. Rekha began training women in skills such as pickle-making, sewing, and embroidery. Today, these women have turned those skills into steady sources of income.
“Before joining Rekha’s group, I struggled to contribute to my family’s income,” says Poonam Devi, a participant who now earns around Rs 15,000 a month from selling pickles and homemade items. “After the training, I gained confidence and started my own small business. Now, I am helping my family with household expenses and my children’s education.”
Another beneficiary, Meena Rawat, shared her experience: “I never thought I could earn this much. Rekha taught us not only how to make pickles but also how to market them properly. I now earn up to Rs 20,000 a month, which has significantly improved our standard of living.” Meena is also considering expanding her business by adding new products such as jams and chutneys.
Rekha’s initiative has become a model of women’s empowerment in Gadarpur. The women she has trained have not only gained financial stability but have also built a supportive network. “The most difficult part was bringing the products to the market,” Meena added. “But Rekha encouraged us to learn marketing skills and helped us understand the demand for homemade products.”
Rekha is now planning to expand the initiative by starting a papad-making unit, with plans to employ an additional 200 women. “Our community has shown that with the right support and training, women can achieve remarkable financial independence,” she says.
