TIVIM: Here’s a couple whose story defies stereotypes and exemplifies mutual support. Meet Geeta and Baban Chari, two pillars of their community, who carry forward their family legacies, earning both respect and admiration.
Geeta Chari’s journey began in a modest household in Old Goa, where her mother sustained the family by making papads. Those were the days when papads were in high demand, and the production was a laborious, manual process involving traditional drying methods on mats.
“Our mother raised us with sheer hard work, papad-making,” says Geeta, a pioneer and a motivating force for various Self Help Groups (SHGs) in Tivim. She has become an inspiration to many, offering guidance on maintaining vibrant SHGs and providing tuition classes to children. Geeta didn’t rest or rely on her husband’s income; instead, she chose to carry forward her mother’s legacy.
“It wasn't easy at all,” she admits. “I pondered the idea for a long time, discussed it with my husband and children, and received their wholehearted support. That’s when I started Mahalaxmi Graha Udyog, a home-based industry.”
Geeta, like any determined Goan, had a vision of proving herself to the world and preserving her family’s legacy. “From the moment I gained confidence in myself to start and run this business, the journey was filled with bumps. Despite all the talk about women empowerment, the ground reality is disappointing. It’s just a slogan,” she laments.
Her attempt to secure a loan of Rs five lakh from the Khadi and Gram Udyog Ltd for a machine from Pune became an arduous ordeal. “The bureaucracy and lethargy at every level were discouraging,” Geeta recalls. “The ‘come tomorrow or next week’ attitude was disheartening, and the pandemic delayed things further. However, I never gave up. I knew I would prevail.”
After enduring endless paperwork and bureaucracy, Geeta became an entrepreneur. She started making papads using her mother’s recipe, and her unique offerings are now in demand far and wide, from Pernem to Usgao and Ponda.
Geeta firmly believes that her ‘Tarvoti’ papads will soon become a household name. “Since we started using the machine, we must have sold about 50 kilos of papads, and we even make ladoos,” she proudly states.
Despite her success, Geeta feels that the administration doesn’t take women empowerment seriously. “Some officers are so indifferent that gender makes no difference to them, as long as they receive their salaries,” she remarks.
On the other hand, her husband, Baban Chari, hails from a respected family of mechanics. He, too, embraced his family’s legacy with pride. “We come from a family background of mechanics. Mechanical work runs in our blood, and I wanted to carry the family tradition forward,” he shares. Baban’s educational background was modest, but he was determined to make a name for himself in the field of mechanics. “I didn’t have the resources or support to pursue further education, so I ventured into this business,” he explains. His journey wasn't without struggles, but at the age of 21, he built his own garage, and the rest is history.
Both Geeta and Baban have been pillars of support for each other in their respective fields. “Work is worship for me,” Baban emphasises. “I am fully committed to both work and family. Customer satisfaction is my priority, and that's why people come to me from far and wide for vehicle repairs.”
Baban’s expertise even led to him building the first Eicher vehicle in 2006, a pioneering achievement at the time. “I can handle any type of mechanical work, and over the years, I’ve mastered this craft,” he says with pride.