Bhubaneswar: According to the Economic Survey issued by the government of Odisha, the workforce participation rate was 39.1 percent in January-March 2021 relative to 45.4 percent in 2019-20 whereas the unemployment rate increased from 7.7 percent to 13.7 percent in January-March 2021, this suggests that the pandemic led large-scale unemployment and had its adverse employment effects.
However, another notable point noticed here was the gender gap between employment opportunities. Nearly 50 percent of females work as unpaid helpers in rural areas of Odisha, however, Sabita Oram from a small village in Odisha has been an inspiration to many. Her story is a testimony of how new-age women when empowered, contribute to the economic welfare by improving the quality of life of their families and also supporting their local communities to move forward.
Oram has had the passion to serve the people of her village. Her passion got a push after she discovered Spice Money, India’s most admired rural fintech company that offers employment opportunities to rural youth to become nanopreneurs, also known as Spice Money Adhikaris.
Spice Money uses its robust technology infrastructure to offer various financial services including enabling people to transact with their bank accounts at a nearby kirana store in a quick, convenient, and cost-effective manner through its vast network of over 10 lakh Adhikaris covering 95% of India’s rural pin codes. Besides cash withdrawal, deposit and remittance, consumers can access multiple services like bill payments, travel ticketing, insurance, and government services, among others.
Spice Money proved to be a game changer for Oram. She signed up on the Spice Money app and became an Adhikari simply with a smartphone and an internet connection. Becoming a Spice Money Adhikari enabled Oram to serve her passion for helping the people in her village along with having financial independence and stability of income.
After more than two years of working with Spice Money, Oram prides on calling herself a successful entrepreneur. She not only runs her own Smart Banking Point but also offers door-to-door service to the old & specially-abled. She feels empowered by standing on her feet and encouraged by her personal growth.
Oram intends to continue providing banking services to her community in the long run. Oram’s story is a burning point and motivation for many girls in her village to be independent and grow financially.
Oram’s case exemplifies how a smartphone, an internet connection and a passion for thriving and succeeding in life can provide rural women with a wealth of prospects. Oram has expanded her role as a Spice Money Adhikari to include mentoring those who aspire to excel as Adhikaris. Technology is paving new roads every day and generating jobs in rural India. Everyone has the potential to succeed with a little awareness and a desire to learn.
