Good work cannot be kept hidden. The enterprise of four Adivasi women from the backward Bhadradri Kothagudem district in Telangana caught the attention of no less than Prime Minister 

Narendra Modi, who highlighted it in his Mann Ki Baat on Sunday.

In a heartwarming story of progress, Vuke Venkata Lakshmi, who barely studied up to fifth standard, and her three colleagues Thati Lalitha, Soyam Mangaveni, and J Sammakka have together built a sanitary napkin brand as well as a millet products brand that are sustainable and scalable.

The catalyst

The four met a few years ago at a training programme organised by the Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) and floated Bhadradri Srirama Joint Liability Group. They kicked off their business with Giri Napkins, sanitary napkins that are crafted without chemicals, using layers of gel, cotton, and other materials. Each packet, containing six pads, costs about ₹28. 

“We supply 30,000-40,000 packets every three months to government-run residential schools in Eturunagaram, Nalgonda, Atchampet, and Kamareddy,” Lakshmi said, basking in the newfound attention that her group is receiving after the PM’s mention.

Since the napkin business kept them busy for just one-and-half months, leaving them idle for several days before they got the next order, they decided to put their free time to productive use by starting one more enterprise. They knocked on the ITDA doors yet again, who sent the four-member team to the Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR) in Hyderabad.

“We learned how to make value-added products from millets (little millets and finger millets), returned home and acquired machinery to make the products,” she said. Named Bhadradri Millet Magic, the millet biscuits are now travelling all the way to London.”

“We recently sold our products at the Rashtrapati Bhavan early this year,” Lakshmi said.

The millet venture, which started about nine months to a year ago, now generates a monthly turnover of about Rs 90,000.

Each of the four members of the group takes about Rs 17,000-Rs 20,000 a month after all the expenses.

Brewing more

After tasting success in both ventures, the group is now trying to diversify into other categories. Taking heed of a suggestion from the Kothagudem Collector, Jitesh Patel, they have begun producing ‘Karakkaya tea powder’ (from Haritaki fruit, which is known for its traditional medicinal properties). They are also exploring new millet-based products like jowar ice cream and ragi juice. A key ambition for the group is to expand their operations to employ more individuals from their community.

Lakshmi says her entrepreneurial journey, which is backed by her auto-driver husband, has helped her dream big for her two daughters. “One is studying at IIT Roorkee and another is pursuing NEET coaching,” she said.

Published on June 30, 2025