1. Relishing a sweet surprise

Suyab's ice cream factory empowers his community in Uttar Pradesh

While the world came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, Suyab Siddique decided that he was going to rise to the challenge. Siddique migrated back to his home in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh; this was a crucial milestone in his journey as a Village Level Entrepreneur (VLE). No stranger to the persistent lack of clean drinking water in his community, he decided to setup a Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant. This is how he set afoot the journey of self as well as community upliftment.  

He made the most of his business acumen and soon expanded his venture to an ice cream factory. Suyab currently employs locals at the factory, integrating them into the value chain. This swift move has provided multiple benefits, a stable income, boost in the local economy with employment and incorporation of green energy in a remote area.  

Suyab’s journey speaks volumes of the transformative potential of entrepreneurship in rural areas. As his business grows, so does his community. 

Lila Devi stitches a new life thanks to Usha Silai School and Green Microgrid power

While some people might think that 55 means embracing the mundane, Lila Devi tells a different story. Working in Ravana village of Lakhimpur district, UP, Devi never thought that she would be able to support her daughter’s dream of learning to stitch. But once she took on the challenge, success came flying.  

Tata Power Renewable Microgrid (TPRMG) operationalized microgrids in the village and collaborated with Usha Silai School to launch a training cum production center in the village. This center is electrified by green electricity from the microgrid to run the electric Sewing machines, and serves to empower several women.  

Devi watched, awed, as machines whirred in the Usha Silai School. Trainers urged her hand and for three months, she worked at the farm in the morning and sewed by day. She finally passed out with a certificate from Usha Silai School. Today she takes up small stitching orders from nearby villages and earns a few thousand rupees with pride and self-confidence. Her life has changed from a humble beginning through reinforcement from Usha Sillai school and Green Power from Microgrid.