In the quiet village of Abhepuri, Satara, Rupal Mandhare’s journey from a homemaker to a thriving entrepreneur stands as a testament to resilience, determination, and the transformative power of opportunity. Her story is one of grit and unwavering perseverance, proving that even in the face of adversity, a dream fueled by passion and hard work can create ripples of change.
Recognizing the outstanding contribution to grassroots entrepreneurship, the YouthAid Foundation awarded Rupali the prestigious title of Best Woman Grassroots Entrepreneur of the Year 2025 during the YESummit held at Christ University Campus, Kengeri, Bengaluru. This honor celebrates her perseverance, innovation, and commitment to community upliftment.
March 2020 brought an unforeseen challenge to Rupali’s doorstep. As the COVID-19 lockdown took hold, her husband’s job was abruptly terminated, leaving the family without an income. Fear and uncertainty loomed large, but rather than succumbing to despair, Rupali decided to take control of her destiny.
She found inspiration in her childhood memories—her father, a skilled chef, would craft delicious imli (tamarind) candies that delighted their local customers. The thought struck her: Could she turn this tradition into a business? However, the road ahead seemed daunting without prior experience or financial resources.
Fate took a favorable turn when Rupali discovered the entrepreneurship training program conducted by the YouthAid Foundation (YAF). The program, designed to empower grassroots entrepreneurs, provided her with crucial knowledge about business management, financial literacy, branding, and market outreach. With newfound confidence and the encouragement of her trainers, Rupali decided to take the plunge.
She started small—investing just ₹100 in raw materials and handcrafting her first batch of tamarind candies, along with other delicacies like aldoo and chocolates. She sold them in her local community, and soon, her products gained popularity for their authentic taste and quality.
Recognizing her dedication, YAF extended a seed fund of ₹15,000, allowing Rupali to purchase essential equipment to expand production. With this support, she transformed her home-based enterprise into a structured business. As demand grew, so did the need for labor. Rupali began employing women from her village, offering them a means of livelihood and financial independence.
Her business flourished, and in a remarkable leap forward, Rupali successfully secured ₹8 lakhs through a government scheme to purchase machinery that streamlined production. Her turnover, which initially hovered around ₹2-3 lakhs annually, skyrocketed to ₹11.5 lakhs and continues to grow, reaching ₹18 lakhs today.
Rupali’s story is more than just about financial success. Through her enterprise, she has created employment for multiple women in her village, providing them not just with wages, but with a renewed sense of self-worth and confidence. Her journey stands as an example of how entrepreneurship can uplift entire communities, offering sustainable economic opportunities where they are most needed.
She actively mentors other aspiring women entrepreneurs, sharing her insights and experiences. “If I can do it,” she tells them, “so can you.” Her initiative has ignited a spark in other women, proving that traditional skills, when leveraged with the right knowledge and support, can create profitable ventures.
The award is not just a recognition of Rupali’s success but a symbol of the impact she has created in her village and beyond. Her vision of expanding her brand to a national level and empowering more women continues to fuel her journey.
Rupali’s story exemplifies the power of resilience and the spirit of entrepreneurship. From a homemaker struggling with financial uncertainty to an award-winning businesswoman, she has paved the way for countless others to follow in her footsteps.
Her journey, supported by the YouthAid Foundation, is a beacon of hope that reminds us all: when opportunity meets determination, anything is possible. Today, Rupali dreams of taking her tamarind delights from Abhepuri to the world, spreading both flavor and inspiration along the way.
