Utkarsh was born out of the resilience of women who survived domestic violence and returned to their villages seeking stability and a fresh start. The idea for Utkarsh took root in the minds of Ms. Shraddha Deshmukh, the head of education at SSM. It happened during her stay in the remote village of Toranmal in Maharashtra because of her husband’s work.
There, she met with tribal communities and witnessed the incredible potential and resources within them, particularly among the women.
The region was rich in organic produce and medicinal plants. However, the knowledge to market these valuable resources was missing.
There was little work for women as well, many of whom were struggling to rebuild their lives. After the completion of her husband’s project in Toranmal, Shraddha returned home with a vision. She observed that many young women in her community had left abusive relationships or were forced to return to their families for bearing a girl child. They were often school-educated and skilled in fieldwork. Some of these women arrived at their parents’ homes with children, searching for a way to support themselves independently.
The Rise Of Utkarsh
Shraddha, recalling the abundance of soybeans grown in the region, thought, “why not start a processing unit with this locally available resource?” They set up a small room with a household mixer and began producing soybean-based products. They started training women, helping them learn processing techniques, packaging, and sales strategies.
One of the earliest trainees was Monica, whose mother worked in the local Anganwadi. Despite a difficult marriage to an alcoholic husband who subjected her to violence, Monica showed incredible determination. Her enthusiasm became a driving force in the budding unit, and she quickly grasped the skills needed to manage production. Utkarsh, established in 2013, grew from a single-room operation to a thriving unit, producing soy milk, tofu, and other soybean-based products. The venture quickly attracted attention, including support from the local district collector, who donated the first Soya Milk processing machinery to Utkarsh.
With each woman’s story, the unit grew stronger. They formed a close-knit community, celebrating small victories, birthdays, and orders that felt like milestones. Each woman contributed to the business, and their efforts created a safe haven for more women needing work and support.
Through their efforts, the women of Utkarsh not only made a livelihood but also found healing and empowerment. Utkarsh products gained popularity locally, even receiving recognition through awards for innovation in social enterprise. Though they’ve yet to reach wider markets, the community proudly supplies in-house demand and sustains itself. One of Utkarsh’s most popular products is its Seetaphal Pulp, the production of which I’ve detailed through the following photo story.
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