Gondia district in Vidarbha, Maharashtra, is a land of lakes, forests, farmlands, and simple, earnest people. In Devalgaon, a small village nestled in the Arjuni Morgaon taluka of this district, lives Smt. Anju Markand Kapgate, whose struggle for survival was much like that of countless other rural women: limited resources, insufficient income, and an uncertain future. Yet she transformed her family’s fate through sheer determination and the steadfast support of the Umed Abhiyan. Today, her name is spoken with great respect not just in Devalgaon but across the surrounding region. This is the inspiring success story of CK Griha Masala Udyog.
The Government of Maharashtra established the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission, popularly known as ‘Umed’, with the ambitious goal of economically and socially empowering women from marginalized and underprivileged sections of rural society. The mission’s core objectives include making rural women self-reliant, improving the living standards of their families, and promoting both agricultural and non-agricultural enterprises. When the mission took root in Gondia district, its reach extended to villages across the Arjuni Morgaon taluka, including Devalgaon. Under the Satyamev Prabhagsangh of Navegaon/Bandh, Umed workers began bringing women together in the village, and for many women like Anjutai, a new chapter of life began.
In 2014, Anju Markand Kapgate joined the ‘Santoshi Maa’ Self-Help Group (SHG). At first, the group meetings, discussions with fellow members, and the spirit of mutual support were all new to her. Yet within this environment she discovered a growing sense of confidence and belief that she too could change the circumstances of her home. Through the SHG, she took her first loan of ₹5,000. Those five thousand rupees were not merely financial assistance; they marked the first step toward her dreams.
With that small loan, Anjutai began a spice-making business. Preparing masalas at home and selling them door to door across the village was not easy, but she pursued it with determination. Initially, sales happened through direct home delivery. Gradually, people began to appreciate the taste of her spices. The freshness and purity of the homemade masalas steadily increased demand. Women in the village and people from neighbouring hamlets became regular customers. What began with a small loan slowly started standing on its own feet, and the family’s income began to grow.
Encouraged by this progress, the Kapgate family began to dream bigger. Anjutai’s son, Chetan Markand Kapgate, resolved to take the business further. He gave the homemade spice enterprise a brand identity and formally registered it as CK Griha Masala Udyog. To give the venture a professional structure, they raised ₹60,000 from the Gram Sangh and ₹80,000 from a bank under the Cash Credit Limit (CCL). With this capital, they purchased a packaging machine, allowing the masalas to be sold in clean and attractive packets rather than in an informal manner.
The introduction of the packaging machine transformed the business. Sales that were once limited to the village began reaching grocery stores in neighbouring villages. Packets of CK Griha Masala started appearing on the shelves of small and large shops. As customers received a branded, hygienic, and high-quality product, demand increased rapidly. Profit margins improved and the family’s financial stability strengthened. What had once been a simple household activity gradually took the form of a small industry.
To expand the enterprise further, Sabala Udyog Vikas Kendra, Arjuni Mor (OSF), sanctioned a loan of ₹1,00,000 to CK Griha Masala Udyog under the Community Enterprise Fund (CEF). With these funds, the Kapgate family purchased an additional packaging machine and an air pressure machine, significantly increasing production capacity. No longer limited to masalas alone, the enterprise expanded its range to include cumin, cloves, cardamom, coriander powder, raw mixed masala, and packaged snacks such as chips and kurkure, along with other spice products. As product diversity increased, their market presence also expanded.
Today, CK Griha Masala Udyog’s products are sold not only across the Arjuni Morgaon taluka but also in larger markets within Gondia district. Urban consumers, too, have begun to appreciate the products. By maintaining a balance between homemade purity and professional packaging, the enterprise has created a distinct identity. A consistent commitment to quality has steadily built customer trust.
This journey has brought a significant transformation to the Kapgate family’s financial life. A household that once struggled to meet daily needs now earns an annual net income of approximately ₹1 to 1.5 lakh. Children’s education, home improvements, and healthcare needs are now within reach. What once seemed impossible has become a reality. The journey that began with a ₹5,000 loan from a small self-help group has now crossed the milestone of lakhs.
Anjutai and Chetan credit their success to the Umed Abhiyan, their Self-Help Group, the Gram Sangh, and Sabala Udyog Vikas Kendra. In their words, the mission did not merely provide financial support; it gave them confidence, direction, and the strength to stand on their own feet. Their experience shows that an ordinary rural woman can achieve extraordinary success when given the right opportunity.
The story of Anju Markand Kapgate from Devalgaon embodies the true spirit of the Umed Abhiyan. ‘Umed’ means hope, and through hard work, perseverance, and institutional support, that hope has been transformed into reality. For countless women across rural Maharashtra, this example stands as a reminder that, with the right opportunity, a rural woman holds the power to illuminate her own life and the lives of her family.
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*Works in the field of rural development and livelihoods
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