Meramandali, 11 June, 2025-
Sukanti Nayak, a homemaker from Sanjapada village under Sanjapada Gram Panchayat in Hindol block of Dhenkanal district, has successfully transformed her passion for cooking into a thriving catering business with the support of the Gruhalaxmi Cooperative Society, enabled by Tata Steel Foundation.
Like many women in rural communities, Sukanti wanted to contribute to her family’s income and establish an identity beyond her household responsibilities. With her husband being the sole earning member in a family of five, she was determined to find a way to support her family and secure a brighter future for her son.
Her journey began when she noticed a group of women from her village regularly attending meetings organized by the Gruhalaxmi Cooperative Society. Curious about the initiative, she joined the meetings and gradually became involved in the activities of the cooperative. Through these interactions, she learned about various livelihood opportunities and gained the confidence to pursue her own aspirations.
During the discussions, Sukanti realized that cooking was not only her passion but also a skill that could be turned into a source of income. She shared her idea of starting a catering business with the Gruhalaxmi team. Recognizing her enthusiasm and potential, the cooperative provided guidance and an initial loan of ₹15,000 to help her launch the venture.
With strong support from her husband, son and other family members, Sukanti started her catering service. Her family actively assists her in cooking, packaging and delivering food orders. She now provides breakfast, lunch and dinner meals based on advance bookings received through phone calls and WhatsApp.
Today, Sukanti delivers around 70 meals on an average daily, while during busy periods the number can rise to nearly 200 meals a day. She offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals at affordable prices and has built a loyal customer base across Sanjapada, Khaliberana, Kurunti and Mangalpur. Her catering service also supplies meals to Tata Steel Meramandali office staff during meetings through support from the Gruhalaxmi Cooperative Society.
The business recorded sales of approximately ₹85,000 in its first month. It now generates more than ₹1 lakh in monthly sales, with an average monthly profit of around ₹55,000. This income has enabled Sukanti to support her family, contribute to her son’s college education and achieve financial independence.
Looking ahead, Sukanti hopes to expand her business and inspire more women to join Gruhalaxmi, explore entrepreneurship and build sustainable livelihoods. Her story demonstrates how financial support, guidance and community institutions can empower women to transform their skills into successful enterprises and become catalysts for change in their communities.
