Bantwal woman weaves a future of self-reliance using Gruha Lakshmi funds

Mangaluru: Saving Rs 2,000 every month for three years helped 43 year old Shakuntala J Kunder, an anganwadi worker from Mavinkatte in Maninalkur village, Bantwal taluk, turn her long-held dream of entrepreneurship into reality. During the auspicious Navratri season, she opened Sri Durga Gruhalakshmi Textiles & Garments, investing the money saved from the state govt’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme in her new venture.

Shakuntala, who has served as an anganwadi worker for 23 years, accumulated Rs 72,000 by saving the entire monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 over three years. With additional contributions from her family, she invested Rs 2.5 lakh to establish the textile and tailoring business.

The shop is equipped with two tailoring machines and has employed two tailors, marking the beginning of her effort to build a sustainable enterprise and generate employment.“I had a long-standing, stubborn desire to start my own enterprise and stand on my own feet, but we never had the capital to make it happen,” Shakuntala said. She said she deliberately kept the scheme funds untouched to build capital for her business.“Since we often fail to save what we earn from our regular jobs, I decided to keep this govt assistance completely untouched and use it solely for a permanent investment,” she said.

Shakuntala lives with her husband, Jayananda K., a driver, and their two sons. While her elder son has recently completed his degree, her younger son, Rithin J Kunder, is pursuing his PU education.

The shop was inaugurated on Thursday, Oct 15, during Navaratri. Bantwal Taluk Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee president Jayanti V Poojary, district committee vice-president Narayana Naik and child development project officer Mamtaaz visited the establishment to congratulate her on the initiative.

Shakuntala hopes to expand the business by purchasing fabric and garments, including nighties, saris and skirts, in larger quantities. She also aims to provide employment to more women in the locality.

“I wanted to be a model for others and show that the Gruha Lakshmi money shouldn’t be wasted on temporary luxuries. Women shouldn’t be afraid to step forward.

They need to use government facilities wisely, invest in themselves, and build a self-reliant life,” she said. Stay updated with the latest Mangaluru news.

Key quotes

• “I had a long-standing, stubborn desire to start my own enterprise and stand on my own feet, but we never had the capital to make it happen,”

• “Since we often fail to save what we earn from our regular jobs, I decided to keep this govt assistance completely untouched and use it solely for a permanent investment,”

• “I wanted to be a model for others and show that the Gruha Lakshmi money shouldn’t be wasted on temporary luxuries. Women shouldn’t be afraid to step forward. They need to use government facilities wisely, invest in themselves, and build a self-reliant life,”