In the heart of Ahmedabad, the L.D. Engineering College is home to a successful canteen run by a remarkable woman named Punam Parmar. Her journey from a small village to managing a thriving catering business is nothing short of inspiring. Punam hails from Nandej village in the Daskroi taluka of Ahmedabad district. Despite only completing her education up to the 10th grade, she has shown extraordinary entrepreneurial skills. With the help of a financial loan from the government, she has become a symbol of self-reliance and empowerment for women in her community.
Punam’s culinary venture began with the support of the Gopi Sakhi Mandal, a self-help group aimed at uplifting women through financial assistance. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) provided her with a loan of 30,000 rupees. This support enabled her to kickstart her journey towards self-sufficiency. Before starting her canteen, she had a small eatery in Ahmedabad, which did not succeed. However, after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, she returned to her village and opened a snack shop.
In 2025, with the community investment fund assistance from the Daskroi Taluka Panchayat, Punam started her catering business at the L.D. Engineering College canteen, operating under the name Gopi Fast Food. She now manages this canteen with the support of eight to ten staff members, including her children, who help her in various ways. The canteen operates daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 PM, serving delicious, home-cooked meals at affordable prices. The menu includes traditional Gujarati thali, Punjabi thali, and Kutch specialties like dabeli, vadapav, sandwiches, and more.
The canteen is always bustling with students enjoying their meals. Punam takes great pride in ensuring that the food is not only tasty but also nutritious and prepared with love. She offers a variety of vegetarian dishes, which are popular among the students. The canteen has become a go-to spot for many, and Punam’s daily revenue is approximately 10,000 rupees.
Punam’s story is a testament to the power of determination and support. Women like her, who are part of the Gopi Sakhi Mandal, have faced numerous challenges, both financial and social. However, with government assistance and their collective effort, they are moving towards financial stability and empowerment. Punam dreams of expanding her business and further contributing to the economy of her village.
As she continues her journey, Punam Parmar is not just running a canteen; she is paving the way for other women to become entrepreneurs. Her success story highlights the importance of self-help groups in transforming lives and communities. In Gujarat, where women’s empowerment is gaining momentum, Punam is a role model for many aspiring female entrepreneurs. Through her hard work and resilience, she is making a significant impact in her village and beyond, proving that with the right support, anything is possible.
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