In the quiet village of Changsari in Kamrup (Rural) district of Assam, two women have woven their dreams into reality—thread by thread. Bharati Nath, 63, and Anamika Nath, 29, stand as shining examples of how government-backed microfinance initiatives like the Mudra loan scheme can empower rural women to transform their lives, their families, and their communities.
Bharati Nath had humble beginnings. With an annual family income of just Rs 80,000, her attempts to sustain the household through dairy farming fell short. A loan for purchasing a cow turned out to be unsustainable. However, her determination did not waver. In 2019, with support from NBCFDC and ARTFED, she availed a Mudra loan of Rs. 50,000 under the handloom and weaving category.
What followed was nothing short of transformational. The cow shed was cleaned and converted into a weaving unit. With the loan, she installed a handloom and procured raw materials. She began weaving traditional Assamese textiles like Mekhela Chador and Gamusa—products rich in cultural heritage and everyday utility.
The result? Her income soared from Rs. 1,500 per month to nearly Rs. 5,000 per month, with an annual turnover of Rs. 4,00,000 from weaving alone. Along with supplementary income from farming, the family now earns over Rs. 6,00,000 annually.
The business uplifted not only their economic condition but also their social standing. Neighbours and local customers began recognizing her work, and her reputation as a skilled weaver spread within the village. “Earlier, we were struggling to make ends meet. Today, people know us by our work, and I feel proud to be called an entrepreneur,” she shares.
A generation younger, Anamika Nath found herself in a similar struggle. A young mother in a financially distressed household, she worried about affording her children’s education. The family had an old loom, but the machines needed urgent replacement. Through ARTFED’s awareness programs, she learned about the Mudra loan scheme and approached NBCFDC in 2019.
She too received Rs. 50,000, which she wisely invested in purchasing a new loom and two bearing machines. The results were evident. Production efficiency improved, customer demand was met on time, and her annual income grew from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 1,00,000.
Her weaving business, now relocated to Sualkuchi—Assam’s famous textile town—began gaining momentum. Although the Covid-19 pandemic slowed operations and temporarily impacted repayment capacity, Anamika showed resilience. With her husband’s support and the gradual revival of demand, she got back on her feet. Rising raw material prices, such as the cost of Muga silk, were met with increased sale prices and renewed profit margins.
Today, Anamika is not just a weaver but a self-reliant woman who inspires others in her village. “I’m thankful to ARTFED and NBCFDC for supporting me. My work is now known, and people trust me to deliver quality,” she smiles.
Both Bharati and Anamika represent how small financial assistance, when combined with skill and determination, can rewrite destinies. Their stories underline the importance of accessible micro-finance for women-led rural enterprises, especially in culturally rich but economically challenged areas like Assam.
Their looms continue to hum—telling stories of resilience, craftsmanship, and empowerment—one thread at a time.
