In 2019, the inception of the Kali Devi Self-Help Group (SHG) marked a transformative milestone for the Budhpura village, Jhansi. This initiative was part of the NABARD Watershed Development Project. This endeavour revolved around ten women, all of whom were homemakers hailing from the Babina block in Jhansi.

Meet Hemang Tiwari, an enterprising young individual whose unwavering determination has illuminated a path to success from unconventional beginnings. Despite discontinuing his formal education after class 9, Hemang's zeal to learn propelled him forward on a remarkable journey of self-discovery.

From unassuming origins and operating out of his residence, twenty-six-year-old Narendra Kushwaha has woven a tapestry of success through his thriving tailoring establishment. His story commenced when an introduction by a friend ushered him into the fold of Work4Progress.

On a scorching afternoon in Orchha, Balkishan Ahirwar, a thirty-four-year-old entrepreneur, could be found engrossed in conversations with customers at his bustling UdyaME Common Service Centre (CSC). Before he began his entrepreneurial journey, he worked at a local shop where he acquired knowledge of computers and other skills that helped him open a Common Service Centre in his locality.

Meenakshi, a 22-year-old History and Geography graduate, lives in Matanhail, Jhajjar, and has a contagiously cheerful personality that resonated hope in everyone she encounters. Meenakshi has always aimed to build a financially independent future for herself with the help of her education and will.

Residing with her three young children and husband with little to no money, Manisha was no stranger to adversity. The family depended on the dwindling fund provided by Manisha’s parents and her husband’s meagre income provided no reprieve to their woes.

Simran, a 25-years old girl, is now known as ‘Makeover by Simran’. She is from a lower middle-class family and had a dream of becoming a beautician.

Ever since childhood, Chanchal had big dreams for herself. She was stubbornly ambitious with a brilliant mind teeming with curiosity and aspirations. Chanchal wanted to pursue her higher education at a renowned university and work a high-paying job with which she could provide for her family.

Ever since the young age, Usha has determinedly paved her way through life. Giving up her education after Grade 12, she entered married life, deterred from her original course yet undaunted by life’s dilemmas.

Who says that a woman with limited education and money cannot start her own digital service centre and simultaneously follow her passion? They have obviously never met the fierce force- Aarti.