Image Source: Thebetterindia
In 2014, Krishna Yadav stood proudly before the Prime Minister of India, clutching the N G Ranga Farmer Award. From namak roti (salted bread) to national recognition, her journey is a story of resilience, struggle, and triumph.
Born in Daulatpur, Uttar Pradesh, Krishna never went to school. Early marriage and homemaking responsibilities followed. She moved to Bulandshahr with her husband and had three children. Life was modest—until her husband lost his job.
They started a vehicle business which failed, forcing the family to sell two 150-gaj houses. With no money for vegetables, they survived on flatbread and salt.
With just ₹500, Krishna moved to Delhi and sought help from her father. Jobs were scarce, and without education, rejections were constant. Eventually, the family turned to sharecropping—growing vegetables for a share of the harvest. But profits were slim due to middlemen.
While watching TV, Krishna learned about a Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) training on value addition of crops. Inspired, she joined and started making pickles from karonda (black currants).
Though she'd seen pickles made before, the training taught her precise methods—measuring, preserving, and extending shelf life naturally.
She started small—selling pickles on a roadside table with pots of free drinking water to attract passersby. Samples turned into purchases, and Krishna moved to local melas and fairs.
Her products became popular, and soon the brand ‘Shri Krishna Pickles’ was born.
Starting with karonda, Krishna added a wide range of products:
Today, Shri Krishna Pickles runs a five-storey production facility in Delhi NCR, producing over 20 quintals daily with a thriving customer base and impressive turnover in crores.
Krishna Yadav has earned numerous honors:
“What matters is that today, I can walk with dignity,” says Krishna. “As a woman who couldn’t read or write, I now have a car, a bungalow, and a business I built with my hands.”
Her husband and eldest son now help run the business. Krishna remains deeply involved and continues to innovate. Her message to others is simple:
“Success isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. If I stop working now, I will lose everything I’ve built.”
Krishna’s story is an inspiration for women, homemakers, and unskilled workers everywhere. Her advice:
“Do not let failure stop you. If one door closes, ten others open. You just need the courage to knock.”
From the dusty lanes of Daulatpur to running a multi-crore empire, Krishna Yadav's story proves that with belief, grit, and relentless effort, anything is possible.