EDITOR’S SYNOPSIS
· ACC and the Adani Foundation are empowering rural women in Odisha through the Meri Sangini Meri Margdarshika (MSMM) programme.
· In Bargarh district, Soudamini Biswal now supports her gram panchayat in Aadhaar enrolment, government scheme facilitation, and SHG credit linkages.
· She earns ₹8,000–10,000 per month while enabling other women to achieve financial independence, emerging as a beacon of rural empowerment.
ACC, the cement and building materials company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, along with the Adani Foundation is driving empowerment for rural women in Odisha through its Meri Sangini Meri Margdarshika (MSMM) programme. One such inspiring story is that of Soudamini Biswal, a resident of Bargaon village in Bargarh district, Odisha, who has emerged as a pillar of support for women in her community while securing her own livelihood.
Coming from a middle-class rural family of four, Soudamini studied up to the 10th standard and managed household responsibilities with quiet determination. Her life took a transformative turn when she joined the Meri Sangini Meri Margdarshika (MSMM) programme as a Sangini. In this role, she began assisting her gram panchayat with Aadhaar enrolment drives, supporting eligible families in accessing government schemes, and guiding local Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in availing credit facilities.
Today, Soudamini earns between ₹8,000 and ₹10,000 per month and has become a trusted resource for women in her village. Her efforts have enabled SHG members to move towards financial independence, while her own journey stands as an example of how grassroots interventions can transform lives. By supporting women like Soudamini, ACC continues to strengthen rural communities and promote inclusive development in Odisha.