Over the weekend, while searching for a document, I stumbled upon an article about Kalpana Saroj and was reminded of her life story, the struggles that she had to go through in her early life after her father rescued her from an abusive marriage, her journey as an entrepreneur and how it led to a Padma Shri for trade and industry. What an amazing leader!

We have had several such personalities who have risen from rags to riches and become examples for others. It is all about latching on to the right opportunity that comes our way.

But when we talk on these lines, I keep getting reminded of the stories that I hear from VFS customers. While we all wish that some of them grow to become business celebrities, even the small progressions of the others cannot be ignored. The efforts and passion of our women entrepreneurs who try to get their families out of financial distress are commendable and should also be included as case studies in all management institutes.

One such story is of Anjali Pal, who could attend school only up to Class 6 before she was married off. But she did not let her life be derailed.

After performing the traditional family responsibilities and becoming a mother of three children, Anjali started helping out with her family’s agricultural land, while looking out for growth opportunities. When her eldest son Narayan had to put his education on hold after writing his Higher Secondary examination, she reached out to VFS for a loan to take some agricultural land on lease and grow vegetables. She planned to set aside the profit to help her son restart his education.

Anjali lacked capital, but what was never lacking is her passion and determination to succeed. Needless to say that her business initiative flourished and she could even pay for her daughter’s wedding.

It has often been seen that when a person’s income level rises, so do the expenses, as the person moves to a higher standard of living. But not with Anjali! She would never forget that all this was for her son’s education and there was no compromise on that front. Narayan has enrolled for a graduate degree and is also taking vocational training at an ITI.

If Narayan has the same tenacity as his mother, it is a sure bet that we shall witness another rags-to-riches case.