Name of the Beneficiary

Ashwini Mahesh Patil

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Mojai Aqua Service

Present Turnover

Rs. 35,000–40,000 per month

Employment Generated

2

Inital Investments

Rs. 6.5 lakh (Rs. 1 lakh SVEP Loan, Rs. 3 lakh Bank of Baroda Loan, Rs. 2.5 lakh personal contribution)

Funds Raised

• Rs. 4 lakh (Rs. 1 lakh SVEP Loan, Rs. 3 lakh Bank Loan)

Awards Received

• Lakhpati Didi Certificate

Ashwini Mahesh Patil, from Palghar block, Maharashtra, relied on her husband’s earnings as an auto-rickshaw driver, yearned to contribute to her family’s income. She joined the Mojai Self-Help Group (SHG) in February 2016 proved to be a turning point. She was introduced to the SVEP programme through her SHG network and leveraged its resources to pursue her entrepreneurial dreams. 

Ashwini identified a significant gap in the market for the lack of adequate water supply in her village and nearby areas. Recognizing the unmet demand, she decided to establish Mojai Aqua Service. While facing challenges like competition, water quality concerns, pricing, and logistical hurdles, Ashwini’s commitment to quality and affordability helped her build customer trust and overcome these obstacles. She managed an initial investment of Rs. 6.5 lakh. EDII mentors provided her financial support, entrepreneurial skills and improved business management capabilities, enabling Ashwini to establish Mojai Aqua Service as a trusted and reliable enterprise. 

Looking ahead, Ashwini plans to expand her business by increasing the size of her water plant by incorporating additional features like a cold storage, a water chiller, and thermos refueling services to cater to evolving customer needs. Her ultimate goal is to make Mojai Aqua Service a cornerstone of the local water supply industry.