Malkangiri, 31st Oct 2025: Rina Kabasi, a tribal young woman from Tandapalli village in Malkangiri block, has become a symbol of women’s empowerment and self-reliance. Though Rina could study only up to Class 10 due to financial hardships, she always dreamed of becoming independent and successful.
She first started earning by managing a local mandi (marketplace). However, after the administrative control of the mandi was withdrawn, Rina turned her focus toward running a Mission Shakti Café, where she found her true calling. Since then, she has never looked back.
Today, Rina manages the Mission Shakti Café located in the premises of the Malkangiri Block Office. She has provided employment to 10 women through this initiative and earns ₹50,000 to ₹60,000 per month. Along with running the café, she formed a women’s self-help group named “Yajnaseni DLF”, bringing local women together and helping them become financially independent.
Despite being from a tribal background, Rina has shown great determination and creativity. She ensures that the café offers tasty, high-quality food, which has made it a popular eatery in the area. Whenever official meetings or government events take place, the lunch orders are often placed with her café — providing her with additional income beyond daily earnings.
Members of the Yajnaseni DLF — B. Rajani, Usharani Pradhan, M. Bharati Dora, Tabitha Balia, Sundarama Gacha, Laxmi Khara, Lili Murjia, Sandhyarani Nag, and Amita Majhi — all work at the café, earning a livelihood and supporting their families.
Rina’s success story stands as an inspiring example for other women in the region. She is supported by Kalpana Raul, the secretary of Yajnaseni DLF. Besides the café, Rina and her team also manage nearby hostels, further expanding their sources of income through hard work and dedication.
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