Shashi Thakur of Hathnikala: A Story of Grit and Self-Reliance

Turning Adversity into Opportunity, Becoming a Beacon of Empowerment

Raipur : Once burdened by financial hardships, Shashi Thakur is now not only the pillar of her family but also a symbol of inspiration for the women of her village, Hathnikala. She has truly embodied the phrase, “Where there is a will, there is a way.”

Residing in the small village of Hathnikala in Mungeli development block, Shashi’s family depended entirely on farming and her husband’s small-scale business. Providing for a family of five was far from easy. However, the year 2023 marked a turning point in her life when she decided to join the Devika Self-Help Group.

With a loan through the group, she established Shashi Atta Chakki (a flour mill). Initially, the journey was filled with challenges—low customer footfall, machinery upkeep, and marketing struggles. But Shashi never gave up. With unwavering confidence and consistent hard work, she gradually built her business from the ground up.

Today, the income from her flour mill has made her family financially stable. She can now afford her children’s education, manage household expenses, and even save a little each month. Additionally, she receives ₹1,000 per month under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, providing her with steady financial support.

Shashi credits this transformation in her life to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, and the district administration. She believes that when government schemes reach the right beneficiaries at the right time, and women believe in themselves, they can not only transform their own lives but also bring hope to their entire families.

Now, Shashi actively encourages other women in her village to become self-reliant. She advises them to join self-help groups, start small businesses, and take advantage of government schemes to build a better future.