By Pratik Ranjan
In the small block of Peterbar in Jharkhand, India where daily routine rarely changes, a woman named Nitubala Devi chose to do something different. She wasn’t just starting a business— she was determined to improve how people washed their clothes and challenged the norms in place for years.
Nitubala Devi, like many others in her community, washed clothes daily with locally available detergents. But she noticed a problem—no matter which brand she used; the results were unsatisfactory. The detergents were either ineffective or too harsh, making her hands rough and uncomfortable. Those rough hands and unimpressive cleaning results became an everyday struggle, not just for her but for many in her village. And unlike most, she decided to do something about it.
The Spark of Innovation
Determined to bring a real solution, Nitubala Devi took a bold step into the world of detergent-making. She reached out to PRADAN, a well-known development organization, to discuss her observations. She voiced what many had felt but never articulated—the need for a detergent that was both effective and gentle. PRADAN saw her determination and provided the support needed to help transform her vision into reality.
With a fire in her heart and faith in her idea, Nitubala Devi invested ₹30,000—a sum that was no small feat for someone from a modest-income family. To put it in perspective, her family’s annual earnings barely crossed ₹1 lakh, making this investment nearly one-third of their livelihood. Some of the money came from a loan through her Village Organization, while she arranged the rest from her savings. This was not just about money; it was a testament to her conviction.
The First Batch: A Moment of Truth
With PRADAN’s guidance, Nitubala Devi procured the necessary raw materials and, with her own hands, mixed them to create her first batch of detergent. As she watched the powder take shape, she knew she had stepped onto a path where there was no turning back. The real test, however, came when she used it herself.
The results were beyond her expectations. The clothes were visibly cleaner, the formula was milder on the hands, and the detergent foamed easily—unlike the commercial products that required a higher quantity to generate bubbles. She felt so confident in her creation that she threw an open challenge to anyone, even me too saying “Bring any detergent from the market, and I will compare it with mine. You will see the difference yourself.”
Beyond the First Batch: A Dream Takes Shape
For Nitubala Devi, making a detergent that worked was just the beginning. She wanted to bring it to market, to let others experience the difference. She single-handedly explored packaging options and found a vendor who could provide packets for her product. She ordered 100 packets of 500 grams each, filled them with her homemade detergent, and took her first steps as a businesswoman.
Challenges That Couldn’t Break Her
Her journey was anything but easy. At every step, she faced resistance:
- People questioned her decision to enter an industry dominated by giants with decades of market control.
- Financial struggles loomed large. Risking ₹30,000 was a bold move for someone whose family had so little.
- Social barriers were immense. In a rural society where women are often confined to household roles, stepping out and becoming an entrepreneur was itself a revolution.
But Nitubala Devi refused to be confined by expectations. She was vocal, she was fearless, and she was determined. Her story is not just about detergent—it’s about breaking barriers, about proving that courage and persistence can carve new paths even in the most unlikely places.
The Legacy of a Visionary
Nitubala Devi’s journey is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always come from fancy labs or corporate boardrooms. Sometimes, it starts in a small kitchen, with a woman determined to change the way her people live. Hers is not just a story of business; it’s a story of resilience, vision, and the unwavering belief that even the smallest steps can lead to monumental changes.
From a small place in Peterbar’s neighboring communities and beyond, her detergent is more than just a cleaning agent—it is a symbol of empowerment, a testament to the fact that change begins with one brave decision. And for those who doubted her, Nitubala Devi has only one answer—clean clothes, clean hands, and a cleaner path to self-reliance.
(This blog is prepared as part of the LIFT-Us initiative.)
