Sonia Bharti 
Digital Service Center, Tharwai Village, Prayagraj 

“I was initially unsure, but my husband believed in me and encouraged me to take the leap,” says Sonia Bharti, a resident of Tharwai village in Prayagraj. Today, she runs a Digital Service Centre from her home—bringing essential digital services closer to her community. 

Before starting her enterprise, Sonia was a member of a Self-Help Group in her village. Though she had the aspiration to start a business, limited exposure and lack of confidence held her back. Access to even basic services in her village was difficult. Students and residents often had to travel two to three kilometres for photocopies, online applications, or document printing. 

Her journey changed when she participated in the Entrepreneurship Development Training organised under the Holistic Rural Development Project (HRDP) Prayagraj, implemented by Humana People to People India in partnership with HDFC Bank Parivartan. During the practical sessions, Sonia identified a gap in local services and decided to establish a Digital Service Centre—an idea that was uncommon in her area. “I realised that people in our village had to travel far even for small services. That is when I decided to open a Digital Service Centre,” she explains. 

After completing the training in September 2025, Sonia inaugurated her shop on 30 November 2025. Setting up the business was not easy. With limited experience in handling financial transactions and interacting with customers, she had to overcome personal fears and social hesitation. She started the centre in a room of her house, allowing her to balance family responsibilities while running the business. 

With project support of ₹20,000 and her own investment of ₹30,000, Sonia purchased essential equipment including a laptop, printer, lamination machine, and biometric scanner. She also received mentoring support and relevant IT accessories to establish the centre successfully. 

Initially, she began with basic services such as Aadhaar printing, photocopying, result downloads, and admit card printing. Over time, she expanded to include stationery items and small consumer goods. Today, her Digital Service Centre serves residents from nearby areas, and she earns approximately ₹4,000–₹5,000 per month. 

“Earlier, I depended on others for income. Now, I earn on my own and manage my expenses independently,” Sonia shares. 

Determined to grow, Sonia continuously upgrades her skills through online learning and ongoing guidance from the project team. She has applied for certification to operatea Common Service Centre (CSC), which will enable her to offer a wider range of services including government applications, banking and insurance services, digital payments, and e-commerce support. 

Her journey reflects more than economic progress. It represents confidence, independence, and social change. By stepping into entrepreneurship, Sonia has challenged traditional expectations and demonstrated new possibilities for women in her community. “I believe every woman should be able to earn and make decisions for herself,” she says with conviction. 

Today, Sonia Bharti stands as a role model for young women and girls in Tharwai village. Through skill development, financial support, and continuous mentoring, the Holistic Rural Development Project has not only enabled her to establish a digital enterprise but also strengthened her voice as an independent and confident community leader.