What does the word ‘job’ truly mean? Is it just another paycheck, a means of sustenance, a way to fill hours, or something more profound?
Some could call it an assembly line that helps them pay their bills, others could portray it as a temporary refuge on their journey to chasing dreams, but for many, having a job means empowerment.
Here is a list of five remarkable individuals who are empowering people across the country through jobs.
1. Hiresha Verma
Devastated by the plight of women affected by the 2013 Kedarnath floods, Hiresha Verma, then an IT professional, shifted her focus to empowering them. Witnessing their struggles firsthand while volunteering with an NGO, she sought sustainable livelihood solutions through mushroom farming.
Her efforts have yielded remarkable results, empowering over 2,000 women in the region. These women now cultivate around 1,000 kg of mushrooms daily, generating an annual income of Rs 1.5 crore. Hiresha generously provides free training, spawns, and other materials to aspiring women farmers, reinvesting all profits back into supporting their growth.
Beena Keerti, a farmer from the Terai district of Uttarakhand, says, “I started mushroom farming on a small patch of land last year. It has ensured a stable source of income and a safety net in case I incur heavy damage from other crops on the farm.”
Click here to read more.
2. Kundan Kumar
West Champaran District Magistrate Kundan Kumar, a 2012-batch IAS officer of Bihar cadre, launched a unique ‘Startup Zone’ for returning migrant workers. Forty-nine newly-minted entrepreneurs, who were once migrant workers, are now employing fellow residents from the district. From the despair of losing their livelihood, people from this remote corner of Bihar, bordering Nepal, have rediscovered their dignity.
“We opened a shop here after getting our business loan sanctioned by the Central Bank of India thanks to DM Sir’s assistance. One of our first orders was for 40,000 tracksuits to a buyer in Ladakh. We are on the cusp of exporting 5,000 jackets to buyers in Spain. At present, my company employs nearly 50 people,” shares Shoaib, who has been benefitted by ‘Startup Zone’.
Click here to read more.
3. Laksheeta Govil
Laksheeta Govil, a former Puma employee, founded Fizzy Goblet in 2013, a footwear brand known for its unique fusion of traditional Indian designs with contemporary styles. Starting with a single pair of hand-painted shoes, the 33-year-old has built a thriving business through continuous innovation.
Fizzy Goblet collaborates with over 200 artisans from across India, including Chanderi, Varanasi, Kanchipuram, and Lucknow, to create their handcrafted, quirky designs. This collaborative approach provides employment opportunities and fosters artistic expression within local communities.
As Mohammad Rajjaak, an artisan from Jharkhand, shares, “There are more opportunities and work with Fizzy Goblet coming along. I get to do more designs and create more patterns.”
Click here to read more.
4. Rajesh Oza
Rajesh Oza’s return to his village, Bera, initially seemed like a step back as he was unable to secure a job due to his educational background. However, it led him to establish Tribalveda in 2021, a jamun processing startup that has empowered over 1,800 tribal women and secured their livelihood.
Recognising the challenges faced by farmers in selling their perishable produce, Rajesh convinced them to collaborate. Tribalveda, now generating Rs 2 crore in revenue, has not only provided a stable income where they earn three times more, but also opened doors to a promising future for the village.
Click here to read more.
5. Vaibhav Tidke
Seven friends co-founded Moomba, a Rs 200 crore startup, empowering over 3,500 women farmers in India. Their innovative approach involves utilising patented Solar Conduction Dryer (SCD) technology to transform discarded produce into high-quality food ingredients. This not only prevents food waste but also provides a significant income boost for farmers, allowing them to break free from the cycle of debt.
“By converting unsellable produce into marketable products, we empower women farmers who are earning an additional income of Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh annually,” shares Vaibhav Tidke.
Kashi Shivaji Pawar, resident of Matrewadi village of Jalna district, now earns Rs 400-450 per day by working with Moomba. “My daughter is now pursuing her graduation and also learning how to type,” she says, highlighting how Moomba empowers women farmers, contributing to their financial independence and improving their overall livelihoods.
Click here to read more.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee.
