By Jayashree Sapkale, Program Manager
Supported by ASK Foundation
Sanket Jagan Rawatale, a 19-year-old from a marginal farming family, lives in a rural village where livelihood opportunities are limited. His family owns only two acres of rainfed agricultural land, making farming seasonal and uncertain. Like many rural youths, Sanket had completed his education but lacked a clear career path and spent much of his time without a defined goal or source of income.
- Limited livelihood opportunities in his village.
- Dependence on seasonal agriculture with uncertain household income.
- Lack of career guidance and market-oriented skills.
- No access to vocational training or employment opportunities.
- Uncertainty about his future and limited confidence to pursue self-employment.
Sanket participated in a Career Counselling and Guidance Camp, where CYDA introduced him to various skill-based livelihood opportunities.
Motivated by the counselling sessions, he enrolled in a one-month residential Mobile Repairing Training at SBI-RSETI, Nandurbar. The training equipped him with technical knowledge and practical skills required for mobile phone servicing and repair.
After completing the course, Sanket worked at a mobile repair shop at the block level for three months to gain hands-on experience and strengthen his technical expertise. He then began offering mobile repair services from his home using a basic toolkit purchased with his own savings.
Recognizing his dedication and commitment, the project further supported him with an advanced mobile repair toolkit, enabling him to improve the quality and range of services offered. As his business expanded, Sanket reinvested his earnings to establish a tin-shed repair shop on the village’s main road, significantly improving customer access and business visibility.
The intervention has transformed Sanket into a confident and successful rural entrepreneur.
- He now earns Rs.700/- to Rs.800/- per day through his mobile repairing business.
- He has accumulated Rs.50,000/- in savings, even after contributing to household expenses and reinvesting in his enterprise.
- Establishing a shop on the main road has expanded his customer base and increased business visibility.
- His disciplined approach to saving and reinvestment has strengthened the sustainability of his enterprise.
- Sanket has become a dependable earning member of his family, reducing their dependence on seasonal agriculture.
- Beyond financial gains, the intervention has built his confidence, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial mindset.
“Before joining the career guidance camp, I had no clear idea about my future. The project motivated me to learn a skill that could provide regular income. After completing the mobile repairing training and gaining practical experience, I started my own business. Today, I earn a good income, have my own shop, and have saved Rs.50,000/-. I feel proud that I can support my family and build a better future through my own skills.”– Sanket Jagan Rawatale Today, he stands as a confident and self-reliant entrepreneur, demonstrating how targeted investments in youth skills and enterprise development can create sustainable livelihoods, strengthen rural economies, and inspire other young people to pursue productive careers.
