Shashibala Sonkar: A Beacon of Women’s Empowerment Under Mission Shakti
Lucknow: Shashibala Sonkar, a 56-year-old resident of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, has become an inspiring symbol of women’s empowerment through the state government’s Mission Shakti initiative. Once a tailor struggling to make ends meet, she has transformed her family’s fortunes with the support of schemes launched by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s government.
Hailing from Chhoti Baraini in Kachhwa, Shashibala’s journey from humble beginnings to a successful entrepreneur is a testament to her courage and hard work. Despite facing deep social and economic challenges, she established a thriving Namkeen manufacturing unit on her own land, creating employment opportunities for 12 regular and 2–5 seasonal workers. Her business now generates a monthly net profit of ₹50,000–₹90,000, with products distributed across Mirzapur, Bhadohi, and Varanasi.
Educated up to Class 12, Shashibala endured gender discrimination, bias related to skin color, and the responsibility of raising three daughters—all without financial or moral support from her in-laws. Nevertheless, she persevered by carefully budgeting household expenses and managing her children’s education.
A major turning point came in 2018 when she joined the Om Sai Aajeevika Mahila Self-Help Group (SHG). This group equipped her with financial literacy and skills for self-reliance. Today, Shashibala serves as the treasurer of the SHG, helping other women on their paths to empowerment.
Her entrepreneurial journey gained momentum through support from the “Ek Lakh Mahila Udyami Karyakram” under Development Alternatives and the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission. To set up her Namkeen unit, she mobilized funds from multiple sources including ₹2 lakh (CCL), ₹1 lakh (CIF), ₹2 lakh, and ₹10 lakh under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) loan from Aryavart Bank.
To expand her venture further, Shashibala completed Udyam Registration, FSSAI Registration, and embraced digital platforms by onboarding on Flipkart and ONDC. She also enhanced her skills in networking and marketing through programs such as KBBL, UdyME Mela, and District-Level Entrepreneur Conferences.
Thanks to the training and support provided under Mission Shakti, she has gained both security and confidence, emerging as a change leader within her community.
Looking ahead, Shashibala plans to establish a bakery and chocolate manufacturing unit. For this, she seeks advanced training, modern machinery, and additional financial assistance. With a strong CIBIL score and transparent financial management, she is optimistic about receiving future support.
“I treated every hardship as a challenge. Government schemes gave me and my daughters dignity and respect,” she says, reflecting on her remarkable journey.
