With the COVID-19 lockdown getting lifted in phases, all of us have been striving to return to our normal life. Some took small steps, some took long strides, but as a society, we are bouncing back even as we fight the pandemic.

As we resumed normal work, and our customers their entrepreneurial endeavours, we assumed a new responsibility. We had kept in touch with our customers — rural India’s women — during the lockdown as we realised the importance of mental health and the human connection that instils the feeling of belonging. During those calls, we learnt the strength and extent of the Indian woman’s willpower to overcome hurdles.

The lockdown forced Imrana, 50, of Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarabad district, to shut her cloth shop. Imrana bore the financial brunt of the shutdown with resilience. A mother of four, Imrana realised that once the government lifted the lockdown, she would have to restart her operations and regain her momentum. And she did! Slowly but surely.

Helped by her youngest son, now in Class 12, Imrana puts in every ounce of her energy towards her dream of prosperity. Imrana’s three other children are grocers or shopkeepers.

As she gears up for the winter with a new range of clothes and winter wear, Imrana reflects on her past and her struggle to set up her garments store with help from VFS.

Imrana started her entrepreneurial journey by selling Cotswool undergarments. But the wheels of fortune didn’t turn in her favour. She decided to start afresh.

Imarana realised that to survive the competitive market, she needed a more comprehensive range. That is when she decided to take a loan from VFS. Today, Imrana’s well-stocked clothes store offers everything from festive wear to winter garments, for children as well as adults.

Imrana’s story is not just a story with a happy ending. It is a lesson in perseverance. It is an example of willpower, courage and business acumen that our women possess. We are proud to partner with women such as Imrana, who didn’t stop with setbacks but are surging ahead with lessons from them.