Wandering through the village of Khedla in Alwar district, one residence stands out. A group of people patiently lines up outside: some need updated PAN cards, while others eagerly submit applications for job cards — an essential gateway to various government schemes. Poonam Kumari is at the centre of a busy scene, efficiently managing the crowd and utilising technology to simplify the complicated process of government paperwork.

It all began when Poonam identified a significant gap in the accessible services for women in her village.

Many hesitated to step out, constrained by their reliance on male family members. Seizing this as an opportunity for empowerment and income generation, Poonam delved into digital services. “Drawing insights from YouTube tutorials and participating in monthly training sessions, I transformed my home into a central hub for essential services. Equipped with a tablet and printer provided by the training organisation, my common service centre evolved into a vital resource for the community. My E-Mitra centre offers a range of services, including applications for PAN cards, scholarships, job cards, voter IDs, ration cards, and JANDHAN KYC,” Poonam reveals.

In her unexpected journey, education has become more than just a personal achievement for Poonam — it has become a shared aspiration within her family. She shares, “I had only completed fifth grade when I married. My husband, who has studied up to the 9th grade, has been a driving force in helping me pursue and pass the 10th grade. And now, he envisions me appearing for the 12th board exams. Maybe I’ll study alongside my kids in my free time.”

When the black-and-white printer and frequent electricity blackouts started becoming an excuse for her customers to search for better options, Poonam realised that besides offering quality services, having quality infrastructure was another requirement.

Poonam recalls how a senior from her training program advised her to start saving and apply for a loan to upgrade her business setup. Initially, she was hesitant to approach money lenders because of their high interest rates. However, after visiting other financial institutions, Poonam became aware of the collateral required for a loan. To solve this problem, her senior suggested downloading the “Mahila Money” app and submitting a loan application. This decision allowed Poonam to address her business concerns and provided financial flexibility without the burden of collateral, making her entrepreneurial journey more sustainable and fulfilling.

Appreciating Mahila Money, Poonam mentions, “I am glad I got the financial assistance based on my creditworthiness rather than asking for collateral. The subsequent smooth and transparent loan processes further solidified my trust in Mahila Money.”

With a loan of INR 1 lakh, Poonam strategically invested in purchasing a coloured printer, a lamination machine, an inverter and a laptop. These additions handled not only her operational challenges, such as electricity issues but also the quality and efficiency of her E-Centre’s services. The loan allowed Poonam to overcome financial barriers and upgrade her business infrastructure, unlocking new avenues for income generation.

With the enhanced service offerings, Poonam significantly improved her income from INR 5–7K to a commendable INR 10–12K.

“The inverter and the coloured printer brought back my customers. The laptop’s convenience has also spread my business to the nearby five villages. Plus, by providing lamination services, I added an extra source of revenue.” It exemplifies the transformative impact that access to financial resources and the right support can have on economic growth, creating a ripple effect of positive change within communities.

Timely repayments, an unbreakable promise Poonam made to herself, ensured a positive credit history and strengthened her credibility with Mahila Money.

“The monthly reminders sent by Mahila Money ensure that I allocate a portion of my income to repay the loan and build a positive credit history. These tiny steps are building my journey to become financially independent,” Poonam shares proudly.

As she reflects on her journey, Poonam shares invaluable advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs. She says, “Initially, everyone thought how a woman with little formal education and no knowledge of computers could handle important documentation. They questioned my abilities to deliver quality services. Overcoming scepticism, I built trust; thus over a period of time, word of mouth spread the credibility of my services to neighbouring villages. Hence, my first advice would be to take your time and build trust.”

Further, Poonam emphasises steering clear of money lenders, engaging in regular banking transactions to have a good credit history and considering institutions like Mahila Money as reliable sources of financial support.

Poonam’s journey has now gone a step further and ignited a spark of entrepreneurship among other women in her village. Her day goes on generously sharing her knowledge, emphasising the importance of digital literacy, safeguarding personal information, and reporting fraudulent activities to the authorities.

Looking ahead, Poonam envisions establishing a shop on the main road to enhance discoverability and ensure her children receive a quality education. Her story is lighting the way for countless others to follow their #JiyoApneDumPe dreams, and create lasting change in their communities.