Stories of Change
Dinesh's tea shop, while a staple in village life, provided insufficient income to support his family adequately. The modest earnings from selling chai and snacks barely covered basic necessities, leaving little room for savings or growth. The insurgency-prone region of Bodoland often experienced curfews and communal disharmony. These security measures forced Dinesh to keep his shop closed for extended periods, further diminishing his already meager income.The combination of low earnings and forced closures put immense financial strain on Dinesh and his family. This precarious situation left them vulnerable to economic shocks and limited their prospects for the future.
Dinesh soon learnt about Tamul, a company that was starting sheath collection in the BTAD region. He discovered that areca nut sheaths, often considered waste, could be transformed into eco-friendly disposable plates and bowls. Recognizing the abundance of arecanut plantations in his village, Dinesh saw an opportunity to supply sheaths to Tamul. This promised to provide a much-needed additional income stream for his family.
By collecting and supplying arecanut sheaths, Dinesh began the process of converting a previously undervalued resource into a valuable commodity. This innovative approach not only benefited him but also opened up new possibilities for his entire community.
As demand grew, Dinesh started to involve other villagers in the collection process. He educated them about the value of areca nut sheaths and created a network of suppliers, providing income opportunities for his neighbors.
Over time, Dinesh formalized his operations by developing his own group of raw material collectors and agents. This organized approach allowed for more efficient collection and distribution of areca nut sheaths.
Today, Dinesh's group comprises more than 300 families, creating a significant economic impact in the BTAD region.
Dinesh's journey from a struggling tea shop owner to a successful entrepreneur is reflected in his remarkable financial growth. His current annual revenue of Rs. 22,00,000 from supplying sheaths to Tamul represents a staggering increase from his previous income. This economic transformation has not only secured his family's future but also created a ripple effect of prosperity and deep impact in his community.
Dinesh's journey from a struggling tea shop owner to a community leader and successful entrepreneur serves as an inspiring example of how innovation, determination, and sustainable practices can transform lives and communities. His story not only highlights the potential of social entrepreneurship in addressing economic challenges but also demonstrates the power of turning local resources into valuable assets.
During the pandemic, when traditional income sources dried up, these five women from a remote village in Baksa district realized that the arecanut sheaths, abundantly available in their family and village plantations, could be more than just waste.
Inspired by an awareness campaign conducted by Tamul, the women formalized their group and began supplying arecanut sheaths. This initiative not only provided them with a much-needed income during the pandemic but also opened their eyes to the untapped potential of their natural resources.
As the pandemic's grip loosened, Damayanti Brahma and her team at Sudemsri Dhakua Udyog wanted to make the transition from from sheath collection to arecanut leaf plate production. This move required not just vision, but courage to overcome fears and embrace new challenges like accessing finance, operating a hydraulic press machine, marketing the products etc.
The group's collaboration with Tamul proved instrumental in this phase. Through brainstorming sessions and discussions, they explored the feasibility of setting up a home-based production unit for arecanut leaf plates. This idea wasn't just about increasing income; it was about value addition and creating a sustainable, eco-friendly product that could comply with the quality standards of Tamul and compete in the domestic and international market.
Assam Gramin Vikas Bank provided a crucial term loan for machinery purchase. The group infused their own capital to create the infrastructure. This partnership exemplifies how rural banking institutions can play a crucial role in fostering rural entrepreneurship and women's empowerment. The bank's decision to provide a term loan for machinery purchase was a pivotal moment. It not only enabled the group to start production but also instilled a sense of credibility and confidence in their business model. The women's commitment was evident as they pooled their resources to create the necessary infrastructure, showcasing their dedication and belief in their collective vision. Tamul collaborated with the group to provide all technical support, trained the members on the complete machine operations and production process and assured fortnightly product procurement. This ensured that the group never had a stagnant inventory and their monthly installment of the bank loan started getting repaid.
In just 14 months, Sudemsri generated a revenue of INR 8.50 Lakhs, a significant achievement for a rural start-up. Each member now earns an average of INR 8,000 per month, substantially improving their financial stability and quality of life.
The increased income has enabled members to back their loan, ensuring better financial health for their households. Children's education is now more secure, with members able to keep their children in school, investing in the next generation.
Today, the common goal of Sudemsri is to intensify areca sheath collection. This not only ensures a steady supply for their production but also creates additional income opportunities for other women in their village. By scaling up their operations, they aim to create a deep sustainable impact in their community and uplift families out of their poverty.
Dhanada's world crumbled when her husband passed away 17 years ago, leaving her emotionally devastated and financially vulnerable. With all savings depleted on her husband's medical treatments, Dhanada found herself at the brink of poverty, struggling to make ends meet.The lack of a support system in her village compounded her difficulties, leaving her to face life's challenges alone.With no formal education or marketable skills, Dhanada's prospects for employment seemed bleak in the rural setting.
Tamul's decision to expand its factory operations in the same region, brought new opportunities for local employment. The company's commitment to employing local villagers, regardless of their educational background, opened doors for many, including Dhanada. The installation of new arecanut sheath dryers not only improved production efficiency but also created specialized roles for local workers.Tamul's approach to hands-on training allowed even those without formal education to learn valuable skills and contribute meaningfully to the production process.
Dhanada was hired as a dryer operator, despite having no prior experience or formal education. She received hands-on training from experienced workers, learning the intricacies of operating the arecanut sheath dryers. Later she also learned about the sheath washing process and added on to her existing knowledge. Through daily practice and unwavering determination, Dhanada gradually improved her skills and efficiency.Over time, Dhanada mastered her job, becoming one of the most reliable operators in the factory.
Dhanada's permanent employment at Tamul has provided her with a steady income, allowing her to save money and plan for the future. This financial stability has been crucial in improving her quality of life and providing a sense of security. With her savings, Dhanada was able to arrange her daughter's marriage, a significant milestone in her life. She has also built her own house, achieving the dream of homeownership and independence, which is particularly empowering for a rural woman. The medical support provided by the company ensures that Dhanada can access healthcare when needed, reducing the financial burden of medical expenses. This support contributes to her overall well-being and peace of mind.
Dhanada's role at Tamul has given her a sense of dignity and self-worth, proving that age and education are not barriers to meaningful contribution. The trust placed in her, by Tamul, to handle crucial tasks like washing sheaths has instilled a strong sense of responsibility and pride in her work. The pride and satisfaction Dhanada derives from her work underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing all forms of labor, especially in manufacturing and agriculture sectors.
Dhanada Kalita is a resident of a small village neighbouring the Tamul factory in Assam.
17 years back, Dhanada's husband's death plunged her into poverty. All savings were depleted by medical expenses.
when Dhanada Kalita’s husband died, she was pushed towards poverty overnight. All her savings had been spent on her ailing husband. Dhanada was left with no support system around her and making the day's end seemed impossible.
It was around this time, Tamul was expanding its factory operations and new arecanut sheath dryers were being installed. She was recruited as a dryer operator. With zero education and no knowledge and relevant skills she learnt the job hands on and mastered the dryer operations.
Early in the morning, around 6:00A.M Dhanada reaches the factory. She loads the dryer with the arecanut sheaths and starts fuelling the dryer. One can see Dhanada fuelling the dryer, even when it is pouring heavily. Today she also takes the lead in washing the areca sheaths right before they are supplied for production. A few years back, with her savings, Dhanada got her daughter married. Today, she has a grandson.
Dhanada is a permanent employee in the company and she also receives medical support from the company.
Dhanada wishes to continue working in the factory as long as she can. With her small savings she has built her own house and lives independently.
With a smiling face, Dhanada says, “I didn’t know how to read and write, but still they trained me to work here. Today, I know without me washing the sheaths, production would become difficult. This makes me feel valued, dignified and responsible.”
