Pooja Devi: Hailing from the remote border village of Pathwal in Kathua district, Pooja Devi comes from a modest, low-income family. She began her entrepreneurial path in a simple way-selling homemade pickles and local household products to make ends meet. But driven by determination and a passion for healthier food, she took a transformative leap. Today, she proudly runs the region’s very first millet-based restaurant, a shining example of rural innovation and grit.
Pioneering J&K’s First Millet Restaurant – A Game-Changer in Border Area
After a full year of successful operation, Pooja’s venture has become more than just a business-it’s a beacon of hope. Her restaurant serves delicious, nutrient-packed millet dishes that blend tradition with modern tastes, including millet dosa, momos, samosas, and classic bajra/makki rotis. What started small has grown into a sustainable source of respectable income, while inspiring neighboring women to dream bigger and achieve self-reliance.
Government Boost Under HADP: Turning Dreams into Reality
Pooja’s success story received crucial support from the Agriculture Department through the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP). A generous 50% subsidy helped her set up the restaurant, proving how targeted government schemes can empower grassroots entrepreneurs. This backing, combined with family support, has allowed her to focus on promoting “Shree Anna” (millets) as promoted nationally, while building a thriving local enterprise.
Empowering Rural Women: Economic Freedom, Skills, and Confidence
Pooja’s initiative goes far beyond her own success-it’s sparking a wave of change among rural women.Through millet-based products like cookies and flour, self-help groups are finding new income streams, leading to greater financial independence. Women are now mastering modern skills such as packaging, marketing, and even basic data analysis-equipping them for today’s world. With economic stability comes stronger decision-making power in families and communities, from choices about education and health to investments. The ripple effect? Boosted nutrition for children and households, higher confidence levels, and women emerging as role models for social upliftment.
Why Millets Are a Superfood Powerhouse – Health Benefits You Can’t Ignore
At the core of Pooja’s menu is pearl millet (bajra)-a gluten-free nutritional superstar loaded with calcium, fiber, iron, and magnesium. It’s a natural ally for stronger bones (thanks to high calcium and phosphorus, helping prevent osteoporosis), smoother digestion (high fiber fights constipation and keeps guts healthy), and better blood sugar control (low glycemic index makes it ideal for diabetes management). It aids weight loss by keeping you full longer, supports heart health by lowering cholesterol and regulating blood pressure (with magnesium and potassium), and even promotes glowing skin through antioxidants. For anyone with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, it’s a perfect, wholesome alternative-delivering sustained energy without the downsides.
(The writer of this story is Nirjala Goud, a student of Journalism and Mass Communication)