A packet of semiya bought in Vijayawada two years ago changed the life of an ordinary housewife. Her journey, which started with a small idea, has now crossed the borders of the country and reached the international level. Mohammed Mumtaz Begum, a native of Tallamudi village in Pedapadu mandal of Eluru district, is successful in the semiya manufacturing business and is standing as a role model for many.

Going into details, when she bought semiya in Vijayawada two years ago, Mumtaz had the idea of ​​why not make them locally. She immediately took steps in that direction. With the guidance of the manager of Chaitanya Godavari Bank in Eluru, she took a bank loan of Rs. 2 lakh and bought a semiya manufacturing machine. She started production at her home using wheat flour and purified water. This machine produces 15 kg of semiya at a time. They are dried, attractively packaged and sold.

Especially during the festival of Ramzan, the demand for their semiya is huge. Dendulur MLA Chintamaneni Prabhakar, who ordered 1,500 packets worth Rs 1 lakh to distribute during the festival, has given her business a boost. Currently, she is sending semiyas to people in countries like Hyderabad, Dubai, America and Malaysia.

Mumtaz's success is not limited to her alone. Her unit employs more than seven locals. This number increases further during the festive season. The workers are paid up to Rs 500 per day. Her husband and younger son help in the business, while her elder son works in Dubai. When her production is low, renting out her machine to others so that others don't have to buy expensive machines is a testament to her service attitude.

Mumtaz is planning to shift her unit to Hanuman Junction for transportation and marketing facilities in the future. She wants women entrepreneurs from self-help groups like her to be given opportunities to sell their products at government exhibitions and fairs.