In the vibrant city of Bhagalpur, Bihar, a revolutionary twist to traditional Holi sweets has taken the town by storm. Priyanka, a dynamic woman entrepreneur known as ‘Millets Mahila,’ has introduced ‘Millets Malpua’ – a healthy, nutritious alternative that’s flying off the shelves just in time for the festival of colors.
This isn’t just any sweet treat. Made from nutrient-rich millets like bajra, jowar, and ragi, these malpuas are drawing crowds from surrounding areas. Orders are pouring in, with hundreds lining up at her doorstep, eager to savor this innovative delicacy during Holi celebrations.
Priyanka’s journey began with the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. With a loan of 1.17 lakh rupees under this initiative, she kickstarted her millet-based venture. What started as a small dream has blossomed into a thriving business producing over 60 millet products, from khichdi and kheer to halwa and idli.
‘PMFME empowered me to turn my passion into a profitable enterprise,’ Priyanka shares. ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s women-centric schemes have made us feel independent and strong.’ Her products cater to all meals – breakfast to dinner – and are especially popular among health-conscious consumers, including diabetics who can enjoy the malpuas guilt-free.
The PMFME scheme, launched on June 29, 2020, as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat, focuses on formalizing micro food units nationwide. It provides financial, technical, and business support to entrepreneurs, promoting ‘Vocal for Local’ in the food processing sector.
As Holi approaches, Priyanka’s millet malpuas symbolize a perfect blend of tradition and health. This story of grit and innovation from Bhagalpur is inspiring women entrepreneurs across India to chase their dreams.