For a few months now, VFS’s office has been bubbling with success stories.

The COVID-19 pandemic and some natural disasters had set us back on our road towards financial inclusion. Ever since the government eased and finally lifted the lockdown, our executives have been reaching out to our customers. The primary concern was for the health and well-being of the customers and their families. Our customers’ financial well-being has always been important to us, but “health is wealth” was the order of the day.

The determination and perseverance of our customers soon dispelled the atmosphere of anxiety. None of us could imagine the strength of our women customers’ willpower. We are regularly reminded of the great spiritual master Swami Vivekananda’s lesson: “Arise, awake, and stop not till the goal is reached.”

On one such call, we learnt how our customer Sonika Rani, from Haryana, used her business acumen and experience to paint prosperity on scenes of gloom. Sonika was one of our first customers in Haryana.

Last year, on February 9, Sonika started selling cosmetics. Perceiving the demand for cosmetic products in her village, Sonika became an entrepreneur, setting up a shop with the loan support of VFS.

This budding entrepreneur was about to taste her first profits when the government locked down the country, making public health the priority. While most of us waited patiently or cribbed about being ordered to stay indoors, Sonika worked on an expansion plan.

As the lockdown was relaxed in phases, Sonika began implementing her plan. School children buy stationary from shops near their schools, but the schools were shut, and public transport was limited. Many women in her village had ventured into sewing to make some extra money, and they needed needles, thread and cloth.

Capitalising on the opportunity, Sonika made space on her counters of makeup and skincare products for rows of pens, pencils, notebooks, reels of colourful threads and needles.

Sonika has been going strong since then. A graduate and mother of two, Sonika is determined to build a bright future for her children. Her daughter, who is in Class 8, and her son (Class 7) have resumed classes.

Sonika’s business is now entering its second year and she plans to add more products and employees, with additional financial support from VFS.

VFS had opened its first branch in Haryana last year, with its mission to empower women who dream of being entrepreneurs. Since then, we have realised the depth of talent in this northern state, famed for its celebrated sports personalities.

The presence of a culturally diversified customer base has been a continuous process of learning and experience. Every state, with its rich heritage, has strengthened our motto of serving our future leaders. We realised that however diverse our language or our culture maybe, at the end we are united in our mission towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.

Every individual working under the banner of VFS loves to hear the words Theek chal raha hai from our women customers. When we asked Sonika about her life and her work, she said just these words. Women like Sonika give us hope that no matter what, their fighting spirit wins.