From Garbage Heap to Business Empire: A Tribal Woman's Inspiring Journey
In the remote village of Telga in Baikunthpur, Chhattisgarh, a seemingly insignificant piece of discarded paper became the catalyst for an extraordinary transformation. Anjana Oraon, a tribal woman with a postgraduate degree, was working as a part-time data entry operator at the Janpad Panchayat office in Khadgawan, Koriya district, earning a meager Rs 4,000 per month. Her life took an unexpected turn when she noticed a torn, creased document in the office garbage bin.
The Fateful Discovery in 2017
"It was in 2017 when I saw a heap of garbage that the peons had collected after brooming the premises," Oraon recalled. "I picked up a torn piece of paper that said, 'take loan under Pradhan Mantri Srijan Swarozgar Yojana and start your own enterprise'. I decided immediately, I will apply for this loan."
Despite holding a postgraduate degree, Oraon's income was insufficient to support her family. The discovery of the government self-employment scheme presented a glimmer of hope, though the path ahead was fraught with challenges.
Overcoming Doubts and Obstacles
Initial reactions to her entrepreneurial ambitions were mixed. "There was little encouragement at first," she explained. "Some advised me to approach the district industries centre, others warned me against getting trapped in banks and paperwork." For a woman with no capital, no business background, and no safety net, ambition itself became a liability.
After visiting the district industries centre and touring a fly-ash brick unit in the Podi-Bachra area, Oraon identified a viable business opportunity. Fly-ash bricks, linked to the region's thermal power plants and steady construction demand, offered scalability without excessive hype.
The Grueling Process of Establishment
What followed was a familiar grind for aspiring entrepreneurs:
- Document preparation and verification
- Repeated visits to banks and government offices
- Loan processing delays and bureaucratic hurdles
- Social pressure from both natal and marital families to abandon the idea
"The message was clear even from the bank officials—stick to a 'safe' job, however meagre," Oraon revealed. Her husband, Anil Kumar, despite having no industrial experience, supported her plan wholeheartedly.
After extensive legwork, a private bank in Baikunthpur sanctioned a ₹30 lakh loan. Machines were sourced from neighboring Katghora, a shed was constructed, fly-ash was procured from Korba, and sand and cement were arranged locally.
Anjana Enterprises: A Success Story
Anjana Enterprises officially opened in August 2025. Since its inception, the unit has produced approximately 80,000 fly-ash bricks. The monthly loan installment of about ₹60,000 is being paid regularly, demonstrating the business's sustainability.
Remarkably, the family continues to balance multiple responsibilities:
- Managing the fly-ash brick manufacturing unit
- Farming paddy and wheat on four acres of land
- Caring for children and elders
- Maintaining all roles without compromising any
Future Expansion and Recognition
With demand steadily increasing, Oraon now plans to expand her unit's capacity. Her ambitious targets include producing 15,000 bricks daily and achieving a monthly turnover of ₹6–7 lakh, though she acknowledges these goals will be tested by market cycles and cash flow challenges.
Koriya Collector Chandan Tripathi praised Oraon's achievement, stating: "Anjana is an example for women who hold themselves back citing lack of means and resources. By making proper use of government schemes, Anjana is steadily moving forward on the path of becoming a successful entrepreneur that we can deservingly take pride in."
"Hers is not just a story but a message," Tripathi emphasized, noting that she stands as a success story of grassroots women's empowerment in rural India, demonstrating a mindset that can spot opportunity even in what others discard.
The Transformative Power of Persistence
Reflecting on her journey, Oraon shared a powerful insight: "The trash gave me my identity." She added with determination: "I filled out the forms, waited through rejection, and made it work—brick by brick."
Her story transcends individual achievement, serving as an inspiring testament to how government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Srijan Swarozgar Yojana, when combined with determination and resourcefulness, can transform lives in India's rural heartland.
