Nitin Saini, affectionately known as Neetu, has transformed her life from a housewife with discontinued education to a successful manufacturing entrepreneur and local leader. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of self-help groups and sheer determination.
Her transformation began when field workers from Disha visited her village Kurdi in Haridwar district to organise women. Seizing the opportunity, she joined the newly formed Dhanlaxmi Self-Help Group. This was her first step toward financial independence.
Her first act of rebellion against her circumstances was taking a loan of Rs 5,000 to pay her High School fees. Her husband was sceptical but agreed to support her freedom to work and study further if she passed her exams. Neetu did not just pass; she secured excellent marks, paving the way for her admission into the 11th grade and eventually her graduation.
Neetu initially borrowed Rs 10,000 to help her husband secure a canteen contract at the Mandi Samiti in Manglaur, which boosted the household income. However, she yearned for an identity of her own and wanted to secure the future of her three children.
The turning point arrived during an educational tour to Dhakrani village in Dehradun where she visited a sanitary napkin manufacturing unit. While the concept fascinated her, she noticed that local women were unhappy with the quality of the product.
Determined to provide a better solution, Neetu conducted her own market research. She travelled to Delhi, identified a wholesaler with high-quality raw materials and decided to launch her own venture. She applied for a Revolving Fund loan of Rs 1 lakh from the project and invested a total of Rs 1.25 lakh to launch her brand, My Friend.
Neetu became her own marketing manager, sourcing professional packaging and building a distribution network comprising medical stores, beauty parlours and other groups. Selling a packet of seven napkins for Rs 40, she began earning a net profit of Rs 10,000 per month while repaying her loans promptly.
Recently, Neetu expanded her work by leveraging a government employment scheme. She secured a loan to invest Rs 6 lakh to set up a semi-automatic sanitary pad making unit. This expansion transformed her from a trader to a manufacturer who now provides training to other women.
Beyond business, Neetu actively contributes to village development as an elected Ward Member. She credits her success to the support of Asahi India Glass Ltd, Youthreach and Disha staff.
