Aprajita, a rural woman entrepreneur, revitalised her life and livelihood by rebuilding her tiffin business after it shut down, starting again with just Rs 1,000 and strategic support from Gram Vikas and the Swayamshree project. Her business, now Siddharth Fast Food Centre, has not only improved her family’s financial stability but also significantly boosted her confidence and standing in her community.

This individual success story reflects a nationwide surge in women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with recent data showing that the number of women-owned MSMEs in India has risen dramatically, estimated at around 2.86 crore as of late 2025, demonstrating the broader trend of women’s economic empowerment across the country.

Officials involved with Gram Vikas and government programmes say enhanced mentorship, easier Udyam portal registrations, and dedicated credit support are key drivers behind these gains.

From Hardship to Hope: Aprajita’s Journey of Resilience

In her village, when Aprajita’s tiffin stall closed unexpectedly, the repercussions were immediate and daunting. With no alternative source of income, she faced the stark reality of balancing household expenses, her children’s education, and the care of her ageing parents.

“It felt as though darkness had fallen over our life,” Aprajita recalls, reflecting on that difficult period that tested her resolve and forced her to reconsider her identity not just as a business owner, but as a mother and a woman struggling to provide for her family.

Her turning point came during a village meeting where she encountered a team from Gram Vikas. Encouraged by their emphasis on guidance and self-reliance, she mustered the courage to ask for help not only in securing funds, but to understand the path forward.

Armed with Rs 1,000, her entire savings, she restarted her entrepreneurial journey. Fear of failure loomed large, but the desire to secure her children’s future propelled her forward.

Rebranding her venture as Siddharth Fast Food Centre a name intended to signify purpose and excellence soon changed how villagers perceived both her business and her. “People began to see me not simply as a woman struggling to get by, but as someone determined to innovate and succeed,” Aprajita says.

Her renewed focus on hygiene, diverse flavours, and disciplined operations helped her attract more customers and grow her income steadily.

Mentorship played a pivotal role. The Swayamshree project’s Block Mentor encouraged her to experiment with new menu offerings and adopt hygienic cooking practices, including proper use of gloves and kitchen caps. Through persistent documentation and online assistance, she secured an FSSAI certification and formalised her operations with Udhyam Aadhaar registration, which helped access credit more easily.

The Big Picture of Women-Led Enterprises in India

Aprajita’s personal journey is part of a much larger movement across India, where women entrepreneurs are increasingly formalising and scaling their businesses. According to recent estimates, women-owned MSMEs in India have reached an estimated 2.86 crore a figure that reflects exponential growth as Udyam portal registrations become easier and more accessible, especially in rural and semi-urban regions.

This surge is supported by multiple government initiatives aimed at boosting formal recognition, access to credit, and market linkages for women. For example, under various schemes, ministries now emphasise targeted procurement from women enterprises and enhanced credit guarantee coverage for women entrepreneurs, making it easier for women to secure loans and expand their ventures.

The rise in women-owned MSMEs is further reflected in data showing that a significant share of MSMEs across India are led by women, across sectors from food processing to manufacturing and services.

In certain states and regions, specific programmes such as the RISE (Rural Incubation and Scaling-up Entrepreneurship) Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s NTR district are accelerating female entrepreneurship by providing structured training in marketing, finance, and digital tools to rural women, aiming to create thousands of women entrepreneurs.

At the national level, schemes like Sookshm Udyam Sakhis in Prayagraj district and others under state and central rural livelihood missions are being implemented to mentor and support rural women in creating sustainable micro-enterprises. These initiatives work alongside self-help groups and local incubation centres to boost access to finance and business mentorship in traditionally underserved communities.

Financial Independence and Social Transformation

As told to The Logical Indian, Aprajita’s income growth in a matter of months did more than improve her financial status it transformed her position within her family and community. With improved earnings from her food centre and access to loan funds through formal registration, she became an active decision-maker at home.

She also supported her husband’s rehabilitation from alcoholism, a deeply personal and emotional journey that strengthened family bonds and helped restore peace and trust within the household.

Today, Aprajita and her husband share business responsibilities, and their children experience a renewed sense of unity. “Once, I carried the burden alone, but now we stand side by side,” she says, highlighting how economic participation can shift dynamics and promote equality within families.

Aprajita is now exploring ways to employ other women, drawing on her lived experience to offer guidance, training, or simply encouragement to those at the threshold of their own entrepreneurial journeys. She emphasises that a small beginning with hope, mentorship, and grit can grow into far-reaching impact.

For her, it is not just about running a business; it’s about lifting other women and their families, nurturing confidence and community resilience.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

Aprajita’s journey is not merely a story of business revival it’s a testament to what unfolds when determination meets institutional support and community belief.

Her story brings home the essential lesson that economic empowerment of women fosters stronger families, cohesive communities, and more balanced social structures. At the same time, the surge in women-owned MSMEs across India underscores that systemic barriers can be dismantled when policy, mentorship, and access converge meaningfully.