Empowering Change: Savni Devi's Culinary Journey in Himachal Pradesh
Transforming Lives Through Culinary Skills
Savni Devi of a village in Balh is transforming lives through her culinary skills.
Munish Sood
MANDI: In the serene Chandyal village located in the Balh valley of Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, Savni Devi stands out as a remarkable figure. Her culinary talents have not only filled pots but have also ignited a quiet revolution of self-sufficiency and hope among the women in her community.
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Savni faced dire circumstances, relying on others for daily meals. Today, she has transformed into a symbol of resilience, generating an income between Rs 15,000 and Rs 20,000 monthly through her homemade food products while empowering numerous other women towards financial independence.
Her journey began amidst hardship. When the pandemic hit, her husband, who worked in the private sector, fell gravely ill, leading to a complete halt in their income. With two sons to care for and no financial support, Savni turned to her sewing skills. She borrowed fabric on credit, crafted face masks, and ensured her family was fed. This marked the beginning of her transformation.
From Home Kitchen to Business Venture
As conditions improved, Savni joined the Durga Self-Help Group, which included eight women from her village. Together, they began creating a diverse range of local delicacies such as sira (wheat fudge), bariyan (lentil nuggets), pickles, dalya, rhododendron juice, soy peas, amla candy, and various snacks—all produced at home.
As their products gained popularity, Savni's income steadily increased. Her group now produces approximately 60 kg of sira each month, selling it at market rates ranging from Rs 180 to Rs 260 per kg.
With encouragement from the state government supporting self-help groups, she received Rs 50,000 for a wheat grinding machine and raw materials, along with an additional Rs 57,000 under the PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. These funds provided the necessary infrastructure and impetus to expand her business.
Training, Leadership & Impact
Savni's journey didn't end there. She underwent formal training in food processing at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and now serves as a master trainer, sharing her expertise in making sira, bariyan, pickles, and more with other women. Additionally, she leads the Ashish Gram Group as its president.
Her collaboration with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) has further enhanced her entrepreneurial path, allowing her to access larger platforms like the government-organized Saras Melas. Weekend markets at Mandi’s Seri Manch and digital platforms such as Him Ira have also become profitable avenues for her products.
During the recent Women’s Day celebration in Sundernagar, she set up a stall selling bhelpuri and lemonade, earning nearly Rs 12,000 in just one day. For Raksha Bandhan and other festivals, she prepares festive treats like seviyan, showcasing her culinary creativity and delighting her family and customers alike.
Empowering Others
What began as a struggle for survival has evolved into a movement of empowerment. Women like Nirmala Devi, Aakriti, Payal, Khimi Devi, Anita, Chinta, Maya, and Meena from her village are now proud members of her self-help group, earning a respectable income and contributing to their families.
Tara Devi, another woman from Chandyal, shared her experience of joining the group to cover her medical expenses while receiving treatment at PGI-Chandigarh. Now, she too enjoys a stable livelihood.