Before 2020, Tapaswini Putel, a 40-year-old woman from Dungriguda village in Odisha’s Bolangir district, had little choice but to migrate for work. Like many others in her community, seasonal migration was the only way she and her husband could provide for their family—until the COVID-19 pandemic brought them home, and brought a new opportunity with it.
Through Trickle Up’s MPowered project, Tapaswini received coaching, a smartphone, and membership in a local self-help group. But her success didn’t come from being told what to do; it came from using digital tools to chart her own path.
Driven by her curiosity and determination, Tapaswini began watching YouTube videos on mushroom cultivation—an idea she pursued entirely on her own. She had a rocky start: with only limited knowledge, her initial mushroom crop failed, and the family once again considered migration.
But Tapaswini didn’t give up. With support from her Smart Sakhi coach and new insights gained online, Tapaswini made a second attempt. She doubled her mushroom beds and used the resources within her smartphone to deepen her understanding of cultivation techniques. She also started exploring new markets, expanding beyond her village to areas where she could sell at higher prices.
Soon, the mushrooms were selling, the income was steady, and Tapaswini’s confidence soared. Tapaswini used her phone not only to learn a new trade, but also to access government services. She applied for and received ₹5,000 through the Subhadra Scheme, a state initiative supporting women’s livelihoods. That money, combined with her savings, allowed her to buy a paddy straw cutter and construct a larger shed—scaling up to nearly 1,000 mushroom beds.
Faced with challenges transporting her produce to distant markets, Tapaswini and her husband used a loan from their self-help group to buy a scooter, turning a logistical barrier into a business advantage.
Today, Tapaswini is no longer a seasonal laborer. She’s a business owner, a digital learner, and a role model in her community. Her story is a powerful reminder that when women are given access to digital tools and trusted to lead, they don’t just help themselves—they lift entire communities.
MPowered is funded by Tata Communications.
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