Have you ever heard of a garage run by women? It’s not something you see very often. But Anjali Chaudhary, a 36-year-old woman from Mulgaon in Yavatmal district, Ahilyanagar, has proved that with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
Her journey from personal loss to becoming a garage owner is an inspiring story of courage, learning, and hard work. Anjali holds a B.A. and B.Ed. degree. She once lived happily in Mumbai with her husband and two children. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, he lost her husband. Left alone with two young children, Anjali struggled to survive in the city. She moved back to her native village in Ahilyanagar to rebuild her life.
For nearly two years, she searched for stable work. With the help of friends and relatives, she managed to get work. She found a small job at a bank earning Rs. 8,000 per month and also worked as an ASHA worker. Still, it was not enough to meet her children’s education and daily expenses. “Responsibilities never end, but hard work can secure my children’s future,” she says.
A turning point came when a friend told her about the Non-Traditional Livelihood (NTL) Program of the Centre for Youth Development and Activities (CYDA), which is supported by Bajaj Finserv. Through this program, the team helps young women gain skills to enter fields that are usually dominated by men. Anjali enrolled herself in the two-wheeler repair training, a profession rarely chosen by women.
She decided to take the challenge and joined the one-month training program. She learned about engines, tools, and repair work step by step. Her confidence grew as she realized her own strength. Anjali met other women who shared the same dream during the training. They also received toolkits, business guidance, and support from the team to prepare a blueprint for starting their own garage. With confidence and teamwork, Anjali and three other women finally opened their own garage in Ahilyanagar.
They pay Rs. 5,000 monthly rent for the space and earn around Rs. 400 a day through repair work. Each day brings them new learning, independence, and respect. “We are proud to earn from our own work. Women can repair vehicles just like men, maybe even better,” Anjali says with a smile.
Some people still question them, asking how women can handle garage work. But Anjali answers through action, by fixing every two-wheeler that comes her way. “The training gave me confidence and a new mindset. I now dream of expanding this garage and giving jobs to more women,” she says.
