Through the Support of a Self-Help Group, Sangita Koli Built the Strong Foundation of ‘Saras’

Sept 2025 : A woman is the central pillar of the family, and the future of the entire household depends on her education, health, self-reliance, and confidence. This is why women’s empowerment is regarded as the hallmark of a progressive society. To achieve this, various schemes by the central and state governments as well as voluntary organizations are working tirelessly. However, women who seize such opportunities and carve their own path truly write the story of social change. Sangita Ramchandra Koli from Karandwadi in Walwa taluka has set such an inspiring example.

Her brand “Saras,” known for sweet kokum, cashews, raisins, and dry fruits, has now established itself across Maharashtra and beyond. What began with a loan of just ₹1,200 has today grown into an enterprise with an annual turnover of ₹25 lakh. This remarkable journey has been built on 35 years of struggle, determination, perseverance, and hard work.

Speaking about her journey, Sangita Koli said, “My family background was modest, so after completing Class 10 in 1990, I was married off immediately. My husband was a graduate but unemployed, and along with my in-laws, he worked as a daily-wage laborer on farms. I too joined them. Till 1995, while doing daily labor, I also sold vegetables in the weekly market. During this time, I had two children. Later, I felt the urge to start my own business. With encouragement from my maternal uncle, I ventured into raisin sales.”

In 1995, she began buying raisins from Tasgaon and selling them at Ganpati Peth in Sangli before returning to Karandwadi in the evening—often with her two little children, one just three years old and the other a few weeks old. Within two years, she had gained expertise in this trade. Following in her uncle’s footsteps, she later started selling raisins in Mahabaleshwar, a global tourist hub, by setting up a roadside stall.

With the turn of the millennium, Sangita felt the need to expand her business. Around 2003, she joined what is now known as the Gyanda Women’s Self-Help Group. Through the group, she secured a loan of ₹1,200, which she used to buy cashew processing machinery. After receiving formal training, she launched the first registered cashew processing unit in Sangli district under the name “Saras.” This proved to be a turning point in her life, and she never looked back.

“After that, with help from Hutatma Cooperative Bank in Ashta, I received a capital loan of ₹45,000. I expanded into selling dry fruits along with raisins and cashews. About 15 years ago, I experimented with producing sweet kokum, which has now become our specialty. Today, Saras Sweet Kokum is sold across several states and is recognized nationwide as our signature product,” she proudly shared.

Recalling her struggles, Sangita added, “There were times when I drove a pickup truck through the ghats, unloaded 50-kg sacks myself, and traveled daily between Karandwadi, Tasgaon, and Sangli. Even as a woman from a rural background, I would fly alone to source raw materials.”

She identified Mahabaleshwar as the ideal marketplace and credits her growth to relentless hard work, maintaining quality, building customer trust, and balancing price with product excellence.

From a humble loan of ₹1,200, her business now records a turnover of ₹25 lakh annually. Her production unit is based in Karandwadi, with distribution across states, and she has even purchased her own house in Mahabaleshwar. Her family of ten—including her husband, two sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren—are now all part of her expanding enterprise.

Importantly, Sangita has also created permanent employment for 10 to 15 women through her business, thus strengthening many families economically. Her initiative has received support from organizations like MAVIM and NABARD. Participating in exhibitions in Sangli, Pune, and Mumbai not only opened up wider markets for her products but also allowed her to train other women in sales, marketing, and customer relations.

Beyond business, she has contributed to social causes. As the only woman member of the “Mahabaleshwar Trekkers” group, she has helped police and administration free of cost during floods and other disasters. Her work reflects social awareness, organizational skills, and strong community ties.

It was through her engagement with the self-help group that Sangita Koli laid the foundation of her enterprise, gained direction in life, and developed confidence. She realized that self-help groups are not just about savings but also about financial empowerment and social progress. Even today, while running her independent business, she remains an active member of the self-help group.

Overall, Sangita Koli’s journey has provided women with a shining example of courage, confidence, and self-reliance.