A Story of Determination, Women Power, and Belief
Some milestones are not just achievements – they are emotions, struggles, teamwork, and belief coming together. Delivering our first order of 1 ton traditional rice varieties to BigBasket was one such unforgettable milestone in my journey.
I am working at a Common Facility Centre (CFC) involved in rice value addition under the SIDBI-funded initiative Project REVIVAL – Rice Enterprise for Value Addition of Indigenous Varieties and Livelihood. This project focuses on promoting traditional rice varieties, supporting farmers, and creating livelihood opportunities, especially for women.
I am working at a Common Facility Centre (CFC) involved in rice value addition.
When we received our first bulk order from BigBasket, it was a proud moment. It was proof that our efforts in reviving indigenous rice varieties were reaching larger markets. But along with the excitement came unexpected challenges.
Challenges That Tested Us
Our facility was still under development. We had not yet received essential equipment like the destoner machine and weighing machine. Proper utilities and infrastructure were also not fully ready. Processing a 1-ton rice order without proper machinery and utilities was extremely complicated.
At that moment, we had two choices: step back or step forward.
Giving up was never an option.
We accepted it as a challenge and made a firm decision to complete the order successfully.
The Strength of Women Who Refused to Give Up
Our centre is completely women-oriented. Every stage of the work like cleaning, sorting, lifting, stitching, packing everything was done entirely by women. There were no men involved in the process.
I had immense trust in my team, and my team trusted me.
They lifted 26 kg rice bags, something people usually expect men to do. But these women proved otherwise. Some of them had stitches in their stomach from previous surgeries, yet their determination never faded.
For three continuous days, they sat and carefully sorted 1 ton of rice. This was not simple work. It required constant attention to remove even the smallest stones or impurities. Their eyes strained from continuous observation. Their backs ached from sitting long hours.
Still, they continued.
They worked from 9:00 am until 8:00 pm every day. After such exhausting work, they still had responsibilities waiting for them at home , cooking dinner and taking care of their children. Yet they chose to stay late, sacrificing their personal time, only to ensure the order was not delayed.
Their commitment was not just to the work, but to the purpose.
The Final Push
After completing the sorting, the rice was packed carefully and loaded onto the truck. But the work did not end there.
At 8:30 pm, I traveled to Thanjavur to dispatch the courier, ensuring everything was completed without delay. I returned only at 11:00 pm, physically exhausted but emotionally fulfilled.
When the order was finally sent successfully, we all felt something beyond happiness. It was a deep, heartfelt feeling of accomplishment.
At 8:30 pm, I traveled to Thanjavur to dispatch the courier, ensuring everything was completed without delay. I returned only at 11:00 pm, physically exhausted but emotionally fulfilled.
When the order was finally sent successfully, we all felt something beyond happiness. It was a deep, heartfelt feeling of accomplishment.
Conclusion: More Than an Order : A Beginning
This first delivery to BigBasket was not just about supplying 1 ton of rice. It was about resilience. It was about courage. It was about women proving their strength beyond expectations.
It showed that even without proper infrastructure, even without machines, even with physical pain and personal sacrifices, determination and teamwork can overcome any obstacle.
This milestone belongs to every woman in my team who believed in the mission, trusted the process, and gave her full effort despite all hardships.
This is not just the completion of an order.
This is the beginning of a larger journey – a journey of empowering women, reviving indigenous rice varieties, and building sustainable livelihoods.
We did not just deliver rice.
We delivered proof that determination has no limits.
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