Dayaram Vashisht/Faridabad (Haryana)

Designer bangles made by Afsana Choudhary, 42, of village Salai, Hapur district of Uttar Pradesh, are a rage even among people in foreign lands.

Starting her business small, Afsana has displayed her art of bangle-making in 19 countries, so far. Her business has grown so much that she has appointed her nephew to handle sales.

Afsana Chaudhary's journey from a school dropout to international fame is a saga of focus and hard work. Her father was an inspector in the Agricultural Mandi Committee and he wanted his daughters to study. He sent both his daughters to a school in Hapur. However, back then society followed strict restrictions on girls’ education.

Afsana had to leave her studies even though she did not want it.

In 2000, "Action India Organization", an NGO based in Delhi, offered training to women in making designer bangles as part of their campaign to empower rural women through self-reliance.

Some 50 women participated in this three-month course, and Afsana mastered this art.She loved it and soon established herself as a skilled handicraftsman.

In 2001, Afsana put up a stall of her handmade bangles.at the Hhandicrafts Faire at in Delhi Haat. This was for the first time for her to step out of her home for work.

Her handmade bangles received tremendous appreciation and she hit great sales. This boosted her confidence and she decided to take her art as a full-time business.

Afsana continued working hard to take her art to the global level. She participated in a handicraft exhibition in China in 2014. This was for maiden flight and she said her “happiness knew no bounds.”

Afsana's handmade bangles being sold at Surajkund Mela

The experience of staying in a five-star hotel in China was unforgettable for her. Her art was highly appreciated there.

Her next international exhibition was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2015. Again, her handcrafted bangles were a rage and she made great sales.

Two years later Afsana expanded her business. She also started making designer necklaces, earrings, eyeglass chains, bracelets, anklets, belts, flower sticks, etc.

Her business had increased in volume and sales.

Afsana never borrowed money from family to set up her business. Whenever she needed money for raw materials, she would take a loan from the NGO and repay it in time.

Soon her turnover was in several lakhs.

fsana Chaudhary got married in 1997 and has two daughters. Her elder daughter finished her MBA and is working in a high position in a company in Gurugram.

After the business grew, he also included his nephew Savage Ali in his work, so that the businesses could be expanded further.

ALSO READ: Javed Dar's effort to clean village stream triggers Valley-wide campaign

Afsana Chaudhary's dream is to make every woman self-reliant. She wants to train women in design and help them launch their businesses.