At 54, Charanjit Kaur never imagined that learning to make jute bags would one day secure her financial future. A resident of Bhagwanpura village near Samrala, the grandmother has emerged as an inspiration for many women in her village, encouraging them to work and become self-reliant.Today, leading companies and NRI clients place regular orders with her, helping her run a flourishing handmade jute bag business.Speaking to The Tribune, Kaur said she had studied only up to Class 8 and faced financial hardships early in life.“There were financial problems at home and our family was large. I decided to learn jute-bag making. Though I had some idea about it, I did not receive much support initially. Still, I went to Samrala and learnt the craft through training at KVK centres. After that, I started receiving small orders and gradually the business picked up. Today, leading companies place bulk orders with me,” she said.Sharing details of her venture, Kaur said the scale of work depends largely on orders. She receives bulk orders from companies such as Tata and Jonty Agro, while NRI clients often purchase the bags to carry abroad due to their convenience and durability.“There are lean periods too, when there are no orders. But on an average, I earn up to Rs 50,000 a month. Around a dozen women are now associated with me and work together in this business,” she added.Besides running her business, Kaur also trains women and girls in nearby villages.Apart from managing her own business, Kaur has also taken up the responsibility of training women and girls in nearby villages.“Village panchayats often invite me to train women and girls in making jute bags. It gives me immense satisfaction to be financially independent. Not only am I self-reliant, but my family is also involved in the business as it provides good returns,” she added.The cost of a jute bag ranges between Rs 45 and Rs 100, depending on its size and design. Specialised storage bags made for NRI clients can fetch as much as Rs 1,000 per piece.For Kaur, the journey from a village homemaker to a successful entrepreneur stands as a testament to her belief that women must strive to become self-reliant.