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From Construction to Confection: Women Find New Life
12 Sep
Summary
- Women transitioned from construction sites to making modak.
- Modakghar now runs five shops and ships nationwide.
- Business recognized by World Records Book of India in 2024.
A Pune-based enterprise, Modakghar, has transformed the lives of many women by offering them dignified employment in sweet making. Many employees, like Yellama Kalal, previously worked at construction sites, facing grueling hours and unstable work. Now, they create traditional modak and other delicacies in a supportive environment.
Founded in 2009, Modakghar started with a modest production of 1,000 modak per day. By 2023, production had surged to 3 lakh modak, with a target of 10 lakh for the current year. During Ganeshotsav, the factory produces 18,000 to 20,000 modak daily, with ambitious plans for the festival's first day.
This initiative provides consistent work for women, especially during monsoon seasons when construction activity slows. Modakghar now operates five shops across Pune and supplies orders to cities like Delhi and Kolkata. The business, bolstered by Bharati Medhi's vision and her son Akash's digital integration, aims to preserve traditional craftsmanship.
In 2024, Modakghar achieved a significant milestone by producing over 3 lakh handmade modak, earning a place in the World Records Book of India. The factory fosters a strong sense of community, where daughters sometimes join their mothers on days off, reinforcing the family-like atmosphere.
