Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)

Bantwal, Jun 14: Coronavirus has adversely affected everyone in one way or the other. But a woman of high self-esteem here has deftly handled the problem created by the coronavirus and won many hearts. She happens to be Nagaratna, an active member of Dhanalaxmi Stree Shakti self-help group attached to Poorlippady Anganwadi centre near Kalladka.

Since the last 15 years, Nagaratna, with the help of Stree Shakti group, has been operating her 'Dhanalaxmi Home Products' and has been raising financial assistance from her group for this purpose. Nagaratna is from Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district. After marrying Sanjeeva Suvarna from Poorlippady, she joined the above Stree Shakti group. She raised a loan from the group in 2005 and started 'Dhanalaxmi Home Products' which has now grown into a leading food production centre in the taluk.

Nagaratna underwent training at Rural Development and Self Employment Training Institute (RUDSET) at Ujire and began to make eatables at her home by opening bakery unit. She initially depended on small meetings, her group's meetings, and women and child development department meetings for marketing. As she gained support and popularity, she expanded her business from Happalam, Sandge, pickles to over 35 items now which include fried items, Tukdi, Chattmbade biscuit etc. Five of her items have also been sent abroad. She has already prepared crackers and items which the people wish to eat during the rainy season and stocked to meet that demand.

Nagaratna's husband, who initially worked for a hotel at Bantwal, now has joined his wife in running the business. The couple has sons who are also supporting their father and mother. A member of the said group also works here. In recognition of her growth, the Women and Child Development department recognized her as the successful entrepreneur of the district at the 'Stree Shakti Convention'.

At a time when many have been rendered jobless by coronavirus lockdown, Nagaratna's bakery industry has enabled her to hold her head high.

Gayatri Kambali, child development project officer of Bantwal, calls Nagaratna a hard-working woman. With support from family, she has come up, and the department also has been supporting her. Nagaratna says that the recognition of being a successful entrepreneur has come to her because of the support from the department, family and society.