The Curious Case of Cyber Fraud at the Grassroots in India
Ms Chayarani Malakar, a 30-year-old resident of Hajo, Pakhamela in Kamrup District, Assam, embarked on a transformative journey to achieve financial independence and uplift the women in her community. Previously a housewife reliant on her husband’s limited income, she sought alternative sources of livelihood to create a sustainable future for her family and those around her. However, her journey was not without challenges—she faced financial constraints, social barriers, limited market access, and insufficient technological knowledge. In 2021, she secured a loan under the NRLM (National Rural Livelihood Mission) SVEP (Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme), which enabled her to start a home-based clothing shop while continuing her stitching business for women’s clothing.
As a Self-Help Group (SHG) member, Chayarani obtained additional funding to expand her enterprise by selling hand-woven Gamochas and Mekhela Chadars made by women entrepreneurs from nearby SHGs and cooperative societies. While running her business, she realised the struggles that rural women faced, particularly in accessing digital platforms, financial services, and market linkages. In early 2023, she connected with the District Coordinator of the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), where she learned about DEF’s mission to bridge information gaps and digitally empower women entrepreneurs under the Udyamini Programme. With her basic computer knowledge, she participated in various digital training sessions through DEF, acquiring advanced digital skills that allowed her to spread awareness and empower other rural women entrepreneurs.
She integrated the SoochnaPreneur Business Mitra Centre into her business, enabling her to provide digital services, financial literacy training, and access to entrepreneurial opportunities for the community. Through DEF’s support, she facilitated market linkages, ensuring better access to markets for women producing handmade textiles. By 2024, she successfully secured a ₹200,000 loan under the Chief Minister Atmanirbhar Abhiyan scheme, which she strategically invested in expanding her business. She set up a yarn counter at her SBM centre to support rural women in the handloom industry, ensuring they had access to essential materials for their craft.
Today, Chayarani has transformed her entrepreneurial journey, increasing her monthly income from ₹3,000 in 2023 to ₹30,000 in 2024. She continues to empower rural women by equipping them with digital and entrepreneurial skills, ensuring sustainable business growth and greater market access. Her unwavering determination and digital empowerment efforts have made her a key changemaker in her community, inspiring other women entrepreneurs to take control of their financial futures.
Chayarani Malakar’s story highlights how rural women can break traditional barriers and become successful entrepreneurs with the right support. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs in rural areas.
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