Name of the Beneficiary

Sushama Meher

Name of the Enterprise Floated

Meher Textiles

Employment Generated

20

In Bandhapalli, Bargarh district, Sushama Meher’s story exemplifies resilience. Sushama overcame challenges and made a living by weaving beautiful sarees, fabrics, and stoles. From a young age, Sushama was immersed in crafting, but despite her skill, she faced significant struggles that made it hard for her to achieve her dreams. 

A turning point arrived in 2019, when she joined the Project Handmade in India. With guidance from EDII empowered Sushama to navigate the complexities of finance, credit management and understand loan processes. She also participated in various programmes like design training, capacity building, and market linkage. Her designs, blending modern styles with traditional elements, gained popularity in the market. Her monthly earnings, previously Rs. 7,000, grew to over Rs. 20,000. Her designs improved, reflecting her newfound confidence and vision, a sign of her personal growth. 

In 2022, armed with knowledge and the support of EDII, Sushama secured a loan of Rs. 10,00,000 under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme. This enabled her and her husband to expand their weaving business with 22 looms and employed 20 to 25 individuals; creating a strong presence in weaving industry.  This capital infusion gave her business a fresh boost. Although the journey was challenging, the support and connections form the HMI Bargarh Cluster professionals eased her journey.