Agartala, 1st September 2026 : Shubhadra Didi of Purba Laxmibill in Bishalgarh, Sepahijala district, is turning her artistic skills into a sustainable livelihood by making idols of Hindu deities.
During a field visit, TRLM CEO Tarit Kanti Chakma, along with the DMC of Sepahijala district, BMC Bishalgarh and other TRLM officials, visited her enterprise and appreciated her efforts.
With a Rs 2.20 lakh loan from TRLM, Shubhadra expanded her idol-making business. Last year, she sold Durga Puja idols worth around Rs 3.5 lakh, receiving orders from different parts of Sepahijala, Gomati district, including Maharani and Udaipur, and Agartala.
With Diwali approaching, she is currently busy making Goddess Kali idols, priced at around Rs 25,000–Rs 30,000 each. She also produces Lord Ganesha idols costing approximately Rs 12,000–Rs 15,000.
Her sons and daughter-in-law actively assist her, making the venture an example of family-based entrepreneurship and livelihood generation. Shubhadra’s journey highlights how financial support, traditional skills and determination can help rural women build successful enterprises and achieve economic independence.
