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Kalpana Saroj (Birth & Early Childhood)
Kalpana Saroj was born in 1961 in Roperkheda, Maharashtra, in a Dalit family facing social discrimination. Her parents were farmers, earning barely enough for survival. She also faced caste-based discrimination at school. Despite social hurdles, she was a bright student and wanted to study further. -
Child Marriage & Abuse
She was forced into marriage at just 12 years old due to societal norms. She then moved to a small village with her husband’s family, where she faced severe domestic abuse. She was denied proper food, clothes, and even basic dignity in her new home. She even tried to seek help but was silenced. Consequently, she suffered depression and at one point, attempted suicide due to unbearable abuse. -
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Return to Home with a New Hope
Her father rescued her and brought her back home, but society shamed her for leaving her husband. She decided not to remarry, which was rare for a woman in her community. She realized she needed to become financially independent to escape the cycle of oppression. She then moved to Mumbai with her father in search of work and a fresh start. -
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Struggles in Mumbai
She did her first job in a garment factory, earning just ₹2 per day. She was compelled to work for long hours in extreme conditions, barely making enough to eat. She also faced exploitation as an uneducated, poor girl in a big city. She started taking night classes to complete her education. Unfortunately, she lost her father during this time, which was another huge setback. -
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Small Beginnings
She took a ₹50,000 government loan under a welfare scheme. She then started a small tailoring business, sewing clothes for local customers. Later, expanded into furniture-making, investing in a workshop. She slowly gained respect and confidence as an entrepreneur. She then began supporting her family financially. -
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Expanding her Business Empire
She ventured into real estate, using her earnings to buy and sell land. She also built multiple small businesses, including furniture, construction, and textile. Through sheer hard work, she became a respected businesswoman in Mumbai, creating jobs for others. She realized the power of business in changing lives and started mentoring others. -
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Rescuing Kamani Tubes
Kamani Tubes, a major metal manufacturing company, was bankrupt with ₹116 crore debt. Workers approached her, believing she could revive the dying company. She took control of Kamani Tubes in 2000, despite having no experience in the metal industry. During the revival process, she faced threats, legal issues, and corporate politics while trying to rebuild it. She refused to sell the company and instead chose to restructure and pay off debts. -
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Turning Kamani Tubes Profitable
As the chairperson of Kamani Tubes, she successfully cleared all outstanding debts in just a few years. She also revamped company operations, focusing on efficiency and modern technology. She restored workers' salaries and benefits, earning their trust. By 2006, Kamani Tubes became profitable, marking her as a business icon. -
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Becoming A National Business Icon
She expanded into infrastructure, real estate, and manufacturing industries. She also became a role model for Dalit entrepreneurs, proving that caste and gender are not barriers to success. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2013 for her contribution to industry and business. She was and is recognized as one of India’s most powerful self-made women. -
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Her Legacy & Continued Success
She now leads a ₹2,000 crore business empire with interests in various sectors and also mentors aspiring entrepreneurs and funds startups. She works towards empowering Dalit communities through education and employment initiatives. She is known as India’s “Slumdog Millionaire”, proving that resilience and determination can overcome any obstacle.