Patna, September 17 (Daily Kiran) : Manoj Kumar Sharma, once a coaching teacher struggling to meet his family’s needs, has now become a successful entrepreneur in Patna. His journey from searching for a stable job to running a business that employs around 25 people is a testament to his determination and the support he received from the Prime Minister‘s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).
After completing his graduation, Sharma faced the challenge of finding employment. He began teaching at a coaching center but found it difficult to sustain his family. Seeking better opportunities, he moved to Kolkata, where he worked for a company manufacturing medical furniture. After gaining experience, he realized that he could establish a similar business in Bihar.
Upon returning to Patna, Sharma launched a medical furniture manufacturing unit named Caterpillar Solutions. His ambition extended beyond running a small operation; he aimed to grow it into a larger enterprise. However, securing capital proved to be a significant hurdle. To overcome this, he applied for assistance through the PMEGP scheme.
Sharma credits the efforts associated with the scheme and the support from KVIC for propelling his project forward. Currently, his factory employs about 25 workers, and its medical furniture products are sold beyond Bihar. The company’s annual turnover is approximately ₹1.75 crore, with plans to increase it to ₹5 crore in the coming year.
Despite facing numerous challenges while starting his business, Sharma found encouragement from the institutions involved in the scheme and the KVIC team. Today, he is self-reliant and expresses gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the KVIC team. Wishing Prime Minister Modi a happy birthday, he shared that he plans to celebrate with Diwali festivities.
Sharma also urged the Prime Minister to continue supporting similar initiatives for the youth. For employees like Kamlesh Vishwakarma, local employment means the chance to stay with their families. Previously working in Delhi, he struggled to balance income and expenses. Now, working at Sharma’s factory allows him to return home daily, providing stability for his family.
Local employment has made it easier for workers to care for their children. Sudama Kumar, another factory worker, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for more factories to reduce the necessity for people to migrate for work. He previously worked in Gujarat but found the earnings insufficient. Returning to Bihar, he found work in Sharma’s factory, where both job satisfaction and wages are commendable.
Gautam Kumar, who once worked in Delhi, highlighted the challenges of being away from home, which affected his children’s education and family life. After learning about the new factory in Patna, he joined and now enjoys a routine that allows him to balance work and farming while spending time with his family. He hopes more factories will open in Bihar, providing local job opportunities for many who currently seek work far from home.
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