By News18,Satyaki Baidya

Copyright news18

In an inspiring story from Chano village in Hazaribagh’s Sadar block in Jharkhand, Lakshmi Devi has transformed her life from one of financial struggle to a beacon of hope for others.
Previously burdened with the challenge of meeting household expenses and her children’s school fees, Devi has now become an employer and is providing better educational opportunities for her children.
Facing Challenges In Covering Children’s Fees
Lakshmi Devi’s journey, as shared with Local 18, began with significant financial difficulties after her marriage. To combat these challenges, she constantly engaged in various jobs. Her fortunes changed when she joined the National Rural Livelihood Mission, receiving training in cooking different dishes.
Manages The University Canteen
Following this, Lakshmi Devi completed a hotel management course from the same organisation in Ranchi, which enabled her to start a food canteen at Vinoba Bhave University in Hazaribagh.
Her business gradually flourished, and she soon opened another hotel near her village home. Lakshmi Devi cooks in the morning while other women sell the dishes. She also manages the university canteen and handles accounting tasks at another shop in the evening.
Known To All As ‘Cafe Wali Didi’
Known affectionately as “Cafe Wali Didi” by university students, she has become a local celebrity due to her culinary skills.
As her income increased, Lakshmi Devi found it easier to manage her household and support her children’s education. Her daughter is currently pursuing her intermediate degree, and her younger daughter is studying for her matriculation. Her success has not only brought comfort to her own family but has also created employment opportunities for other women in her community.
Lakshmi Devi’s life is a testament to the fact that with passion and hard work, poverty need not be a destiny. Today, she stands as an inspiration for women in Jharkhand, helping them become self-reliant through employment opportunities.