Kishori Pange, a 50-year-old resident of Prakashnagar in Mahim West, faced numerous hardships after her husband left her. Following her mother’s passing, she had no choice but to live with her brother. To make ends meet, she started buying papads and pickles from the wholesale market and selling them door-to-door in her community. Despite her hard work, her earnings were meager, leaving her struggling to meet her daily needs. Additionally, she had no way of calculating her income, which added to her financial uncertainty.

In 2022, Kishori attended a financial literacy session organised by the staff of Dev Kripa Mandal (DKM). Inspired and motivated by the session, she decided to join a Self-Help Group (SHG) to improve her financial situation. However, her Aadhar card still listed her Byculla address, making her ineligible to join. Determined to make a change, she updated her Aadhar card and successfully joined the SHG, committing to save ₹200 per month and attend regular meetings.

Through the SHG, Kishori took advantage of the Swanidhi Yojana for street vendors, securing an initial loan of ₹10,000 that helped her expand her business. After repaying the first loan, she took out a second loan of ₹20,000, which she also repaid in full.

Kishori attended a livelihood training session organised by the Centre for Social Action (CSA), where she learned valuable skills such as creating a business plan, marketing, and record-keeping. She began maintaining her accounts and effectively tracking her expenses and income. In 2023, with guidance from the DKM staff, Kishori also learned about the “One Station One Product” initiative. Although five women filled out forms to participate, it was Kishori’s persistence that earned her a stall at Dadar station in July 2024.

Initially, with a rent of ₹1,000 for 15 days, Kishori earned ₹100 per day. However, she quickly adapted, learning valuable lessons from her interactions with customers. By August, her daily earnings had increased to ₹500, and she started receiving individual orders over the phone. Kishori’s confidence soared. From struggling to make ends meet, she now stands proudly on her own, financially empowered and independent. Although she received no support from her family, Kishori was able to leverage government schemes and the training provided by CSA to grow her business and transform her life.

Through perseverance and determination, Kishori has not only increased her product sales but has also learned essential skills in communication, presentation, and business management. Her inspiring journey from a small-scale street vendor to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to her resilience and serves as an inspiration to others.