By Pritesh Kamble, Head – Inclusion Unit, CYDA
Abdul Moin Bagwan, a young bisexual entrepreneur from Nanded, is carrying forward his family’s tradition of fruit vending with dignity and determination. He started his business with a small stall. Today, his business is more stable because of his hard work, dedication, and willingness to learn.
Abdul was born into the Bagwan community, where fruit vending has been the main livelihood for generations. From childhood, he watched his parents and grandparents in the market. Continuing this work gave him pride and a deep connection to his roots. “For me, this is not just a job, it is a matter of pride. I wanted to take what my family had built and make it even better,” he says.
Unlike many LGBTQIA+ youth, Abdul was fortunate to have the support of his wife and mother, who accepted him as bisexual. This gave him the confidence to focus on building his business. Still, the early days were difficult. Without a fixed stall, he had to move to different spots each day. Customers could not find him regularly, and his daily earnings were often as low as Rs500. Even then, he never thought of stopping. “I just kept going. I had to do it for my family. Stopping was never an option for me,” Abdul recalls.
Things began to change when Abdul met Gajanan from Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA). He attended the Entrepreneurship Development Program of CYDA, supported by Intel. He learned business planning, customer service, savings, and inventory management. “I never thought I would attend a business training. But once I did, I realized how much more I could do,” he admits.
With a grant of Rs10,000, Abdul set up a second stall at a better location. His income soon doubled. Earlier, he earned about Rs500 a day. Now he makes between Rs1,000 and Rs1,200. This increase has allowed him to pay for his son’s schooling, manage household expenses, and bring financial stability to his family. He has also started saving for the future.
For Abdul, this progress means confidence and dignity. His steady growth is also changing how people see small entrepreneurs and LGBTQIA+ individuals in his community. It shows how timely support can strengthen both families and local economies. Looking ahead, Abdul hopes to open a fruit shop and provide work to other marginalized youth. He wants to create a space where people are respected for who they are and encouraged to move forward. His journey proves how opportunities and determination together can bring lasting change.
