Tuesday , 1 July 2025
The Taste of Resilience: A Village Woman’s Recipe for Self-Reliance
The Taste of Resilience: A Village Woman’s Recipe for Self-Reliance

The Taste of Resilience: A Village Woman’s Recipe for Self-Reliance

“Even if someone said anything, I never paid attention. I just kept working and today, women around me are starting their own businesses too. That’s my real happiness.”
— Archana Lahan Koch.

In the small, serene village of Bamun Gaon (Barika Chuburi), nestled in the heart of Tezpur, lives a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana Lahan Koch, whose entrepreneurial spirit has quietly inspired a movement. As a determined women entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana Lahan Koch, founder of Archana Food Product & Tiffin Service, began her journey back in 2008, preparing small batches of pickles and traditional Assamese ‘pithas’ from her kitchen. What started informally became a registered business in 2017. Since then, it has grown into a recognised household venture in her community.

A Rural Entrepreneur’s Business Born from Tradition in Tezpur:

Archana’s connection with food isn’t just commercial — it’s cultural Even if someone said anything, I never paid attention. I just kept working and today, women around me are starting their own businesses too. That’s my real happiness.”
— Archana Lahan Koch.

In the small, serene village of Bamun Gaon (Barika Chuburi), nestled in the heart of Tezpur, lives a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana Lahan Koch, whose entrepreneurial spirit has quietly inspired a movement. As a determined women entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana Lahan Koch, founder of Archana Food Product & Tiffin Service, began her journey back in 2008, preparing small batches of pickles and traditional Assamese ‘pithas’ from her kitchen. What started informally became a registered business in 2017. Since then, it has grown into a recognised household venture in her community.

A Rural Entrepreneur’s in Tezpur: A Business Born from Tradition

Archana’s connection with food isn’t just commercial — it’s cultural. She prepares bamboo shoot, jujube, and olive pickles. Each jar carries the authentic taste of Assamese seasons. Alongside these pickles, she specialises in cherished ‘pithas’ like Tilor Pitha, Narikol Pitha, Ghila Pitha, and Tel Pitha, preserving culinary traditions that are slowly fading from urban kitchens.

In 2018, she formally expanded her venture to include a tiffin service, catering to local needs with home-cooked, hygienic meals for working individuals and families. As a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana ensures each home-cooked meal reflects simplicity, trust, and affordability.

As a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana’s work goes beyond food; it’s a quiet act of leadership for other women in her village.

Family as a pillar of support

Unlike many women who face domestic resistance, Archana’s story follows a different path. Her husband stood by her side as she decided to formalize her food business in 2017. Today, her son and daughter-in-law actively contribute to the tiffin service, making it a true multi-generational enterprise.

However, her family’s support doesn’t eliminate the structural limitations she faces. Archana works from a modest home where space is scarce. Inspired by her, more women from her village have begun launching their own ventures, turning kitchens into platforms for economic freedom.

Skilled Before Certificate: Learning that built on experience

As a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana’s ability to blend traditional skills with certified training shows how grassroots women can become self-reliant leaders. Archana’s progress as a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur is not accidental — it’s built through hard work and strategic learning. Over the years, she has completed multiple government and institutional trainings in food preservation, entrepreneurship, and intellectual property. She holds certifications from:

Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) – 2023

Tezpur University (IPR & Enterprise Development) – 2023 (she participated in the workshop this link is provided for the reference only)

Department of Agriculture, Assam – 2020 (Fruit & Vegetable Preservation)

She is also an active member of Tupiya Local Women, a collective supporting micro-entrepreneurs. What sets her apart is not just her willingness to learn, but her ability to apply that knowledge effectively — even without any digital marketing, website, or e-commerce platform.

A Living Example of Empowerment

In a field often dismissed as “women’s work,” Archana has carved out a legitimate path and respected as a rural woman entrepreneur in Sonitpur market. More importantly, she has become a source of inspiration. As she modestly puts it:

“Women around me have started their own businesses — pickles, ‘pithas’, and even other products after seeing what I’ve done. I didn’t plan to lead, but now I feel proud.”

Her leadership is quiet but transformative, reshaping what’s possible for women in rural Assam, especially those traditionally confined to domestic roles.

More Than Just a Business: From Kitchen to change

At first glance, Archana’s story may seem simple — a woman making food and selling it. But beneath that simplicity lies quiet strength. In a society where rural women are often expected to stay within household boundaries, she chose learning, growth, and leadership — entirely on her own terms.

Each product sold, each customer served, and each certificate earned became more than milestones. They became messages.

Still, her journey is a reminder that dedication alone isn’t always enough. The lack of space, missed government opportunities, and absence of digital access continue to limit her growth — just as they do for many rural women entrepreneurs.

How a Rural Entrepreneur in Tezpur Sparked a Quiet Kitchen Revolution

Her story as a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur stands as a powerful example of how grassroots leadership can emerge from the heart of everyday life. Archana Lahan Koch’s journey from a humble kitchen in Bamun Gaon to a trusted local business name is not only a tale of resilience and family strength — it is also a story of community leadership.

Leading in the Community: From Mahila Samiti to SHG

Beyond her entrepreneurial achievements, Archana actively contributes to the social fabric of her community. For the past year, she has been serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Barika Chuburi Bamun Gaon Mahila Samiti, a women’s collective that organizes events such as International Women’s Day, annual sessions, and youth-oriented programs. Through this platform, they helps felicitate students who secure first division in HSLC and HS examinations and also honors elderly women above the age of 80 — celebrating their lifelong contributions.

In addition, she leads as the President of her village’s Self-Help Group (SHG), further amplifying her role as a community leader committed to women’s empowerment. Whether through food or fellowship, Archana continues to build spaces where rural women are seen, supported, and celebrated.

As a rural entrepreneur in Tezpur, Archana’s work goes beyond food; it’s a quiet act of leadership — one that inspires other women in her village to rise, participate, and take pride in their identity.

If you believe in supporting authentic, homegrown food ventures, and want to experience the flavors Archana lovingly crafts in her kitchen — from seasonal pickles to traditional pithas –you can connect with her directly at [ 6000049344 ] to learn more or place a request.

Fore more inspiring journeys of women entrepreneur from Sonitpur, visit our official Website Women Entrepreneur in Sonitpur

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About Riya Borah

Student of Tezpur University and Intern at Edupur Foundation

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