More than a decade ago, Poonam Sharma’s world shattered as she faced the unthinkable. She watched helplessly as her children were asked to leave in the middle of class, right before their friends.
When Poonam approached the principal, she poured out her heart about their dire situation — three months of unpaid fees and the looming threat of another three — hoping for compassion.
Instead, her pleas were met with rejection, forcing her children to abandon their education mid-year. As she walked home with them, tears streamed down her face – a mix of humiliation and heartbreak. Her children, innocent and unaware of the struggles that had led to this moment, could only sense their mother’s pain.
“I cried in front of my children and felt miserable. It was so humiliating and disheartening for me,” recalls Poonam, who hails from Tajnagar in the Gurugram district of Haryana.
The root of their plight lay in her husband’s sudden job loss at the Delhi airport, leaving them adrift in a sea of uncertainty. “Without any notice, my husband was forced to give up his job. At that time, my children were studying in good international schools. But I had to enrol them in a less expensive school as we searched for job opportunities,” she tells The Better India.
With education only up to Class 8 and the responsibility of running the household thrust upon her, she felt the crushing weight of despair, knowing that her dreams for her children’s future were slipping away.
Before this personal turmoil, Poonam was the quintessential village girl, yet to discover her full potential. But this adversity became the spark that ignited her passion for change.
Today, the 44-year-old entrepreneur runs her own food business, selling millet-based namkeen, laddoos, chocolates, chips, french fries, and more. Her products are in demand for weddings, birthday parties, and corporate gifting. They have also gained popularity internationally, reaching customers in the USA and Canada.
From humiliation to hope
After her husband lost his job, Poonam initially sought solace in stitching, working tirelessly to make ends meet. Around the same time, a serendipitous opportunity presented itself. As part of a development initiative spearheaded by then-president Pranab Mukherjee, her village, Tajnagar, became a hub for promoting entrepreneurship among women. Eager to make the most of it, Poonam enrolled in a programme hoping to acquire a new skill.
Fate, however, had more in store.
The programme’s facilitators expressed a preference for home-cooked meals over restaurant food. Poonam, with her culinary prowess and nurturing spirit, offered to prepare meals for them. “The team affectionately dubbed me as ‘Annapurna’ (goddess of food and nourishment),” she smiles proudly.
This overwhelmingly positive reception led to a regular catering agreement, providing three meals daily for a group of 30. With the help of 10 other women, she laid the foundation for a burgeoning catering venture. Soon after, regular payments began trickling in. “I had learnt how to do business from them, and they became my first customers,” she adds, with another glimmer of pride in her voice.
Alongside these tiffin services, she experimented with local treats like mathri and sweets. A fortuitous order for bajra roti (millet chapati) and churma from an international team further pivoted her focus towards millets.
Noticing a growing demand for millet-based food, she capitalised on this by showcasing her products at local exhibitions, where they resonated deeply with health-conscious consumers.
Survived paralysis, winning hearts worldwide
At home, millet remained a staple, and the benefits were manifold. “I personally experienced significant health improvements — from regulating my blood glucose to shedding 20 kilograms,” she notes.
However, life dealt her another harsh blow. In 2020, Poonam suffered a paralytic attack that impaired her left leg. For a moment, it seemed as though her flourishing business would halt. “It was difficult for me to even walk. I was cancelling all incoming orders. I thought this was the end of my business. I felt I would never be able to work again,” she says.
Yet, buoyed by the encouragement of her loyal workers, who insisted she guide them despite her physical limitations, Poonam continued to lead. This unwavering support culminated in her complete recovery, allowing her to immerse herself back into the business with renewed vigour.
Anita Bhatediya has been working with Poonam for the past seven years, managing operations and overseeing the stall in Noida. She handles tasks like managing labourers and purchasing ingredients.
Recalling the 2020 incident when Poonam suffered a paralysis attack, she says, “Poonam ji was ready to give up, fearing she wouldn’t be able to manage operations if she couldn’t stand. But we encouraged her to continue at her own pace instead of cancelling orders.”
“We assured her that we would take care of all the work, and she only needed to guide us from her chair. After successfully completing a few orders, she regained confidence in us, which boosted everyone’s morale. Gradually, she began walking again. When she expressed concerns about attending meetings, I offered to accompany her to ensure she wouldn’t stop working. Despite her struggles with walking and occasional fainting, we made sure she was not left alone,” Anita adds.
Poonam’s story attracted attention, earning her recognition, including the Sushma Swaraj Award at the district level in 2023.
Today, her business, ‘Dadi Ka Pitara’, boasts over 100 millet-based products, each meticulously crafted to deliver both nostalgia and nourishment. From preservative-free laddoos to savoury snacks, Poonam’s products have found customers across the Delhi NCR, Gurugram, Jodhpur, and Chandigarh, with international reach extending to the USA and Canada. Through Amazon and other platforms, she aims to enter online markets. Last year, she clocked sales of Rs 7 lakh.
Turning her success into a ladder for many
Poonam’s enterprise is more than a business; it’s a movement that empowers others. She collaborates with nine self-help groups under the Haryana State Rural Livelihood Mission (HSRLM), training over 500 women and providing employment to 120.
By purchasing raw materials directly from these women, she strengthens their economic standing, creating a support system that extends beyond her immediate success.
Looking back, Poonam reflects on her journey with a sense of pride and fulfilment. The tribulations she faced, from financial strain to harsh judgments from her community, became stepping stones to something greater.
Now, as her son excels with an MBA and her daughter pursues agricultural studies, her husband has also found stable employment, restoring balance to their lives.
Poonam’s daughter, Himanshi, was in Class 6 when her family faced significant financial difficulties. Recalling that time, the 19-year-old shares, “Despite the challenges, our parents shielded us from their financial stress, even though we were aware of the situation. When my mother turned to millet work, she started getting recognition and was featured in newspapers and YouTube interviews. It was a moment of pride for our entire family. Over time, she became well-known. I am incredibly proud to call her my mother.”
“I have witnessed her unwavering dedication — working through the night to fulfil orders. She taught me the importance of staying true to one’s values, regardless of circumstances. Before 2016, everyone knew her as Poonam, the wife of Rajesh Kumar, but now she is Poonam Sharma, recognised in her own right, without needing the attachment of a male name for validation. She built her own identity, and I aspire to be like my mother.
Meanwhile, Poonam informs that the principal, who once denied her request, reached out with an apology. “Those who once doubted my ability are now in awe. This shows that with dedication and sheer resolve, we can turn personal adversity into upliftment,” she shares.
“There was a time when I barely stepped out of home. But the challenges thrown at me actually helped me get out of my comfort zone. It was through this business that I opened my first bank account. Receiving my first payment was such an overwhelming feeling. I established my own identity, and now I can proudly walk with my head held high,” she adds.
As Poonam continues to inspire with her mantra — nashe karein to kamyabi ke karein (If we must be addicted, let it be to success) — it is clear that she is not just crafting products; she is building a legacy of empowerment.
Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Poonam Sharma
