From Babhna village in Jehanabad district, Bihar, comes the story of a man who refused to let misfortune write the final chapter. Devkant Pandey faced two setbacks in quick succession: a serious bike accident that badly injured his leg, and an employer who refused to take him back after his recovery. Yet it was precisely during that directionless period that he stumbled upon an idea which reshaped his life entirely. Today he runs a slipper-making unit from his village, clocking an annual turnover of ₹5 lakh and supporting five families through the work it generates.
From a Mumbai Salary to Sudden Unemployment
Devkant Pandey was drawing a good salary at a private company in Mumbai when fate intervened. He returned home to attend his brother-in-law's wedding and suffered a severe bike accident during that visit, leaving his leg badly damaged. He spent around six months recovering. When he made his way back to Mumbai and reported to his company, his boss refused to reinstate him. Overnight, the career he had built in the city was gone, and for a stretch of time he had no idea what to do next.
A Relative's Home, and an Idea That Took Root
During this uncertain period, a visit to a relative's house turned out to be the turning point. There, he saw slipper-making being carried out, and that ordinary sight sparked something. He began asking himself whether he could build a similar operation. Back home, he started looking into the business seriously: the process, the equipment needed, and most urgently, where the money would come from.
A Government Scheme Provided the Capital
Funding was the biggest obstacle. Around that time, Devkant learned about government loan schemes for aspiring entrepreneurs. He visited the Industry Department office in Jehanabad and, after persistent effort and considerable struggle, secured a loan of ₹10 lakh under the PMEGP scheme. The package also included a subsidy of ₹2.5 lakh. With that financial backing, he launched his slipper-making unit in 2022 from a single small room inside his own home in the village.
Fifty Supply Points, Five Jobs, One Family Sustained
The business built momentum gradually. Today, Devkant supplies slippers to around 50 locations spread across Jehanabad and Patna districts. The wholesale price ranges from ₹70 to ₹90 per pair. The annual turnover has reached ₹5 lakh, which sustains his household. Around five workers are employed at the unit, and their families too depend on it for their daily livelihood.
A Second Machine Opens a Second Income Stream
Devkant has not stopped at slippers. He has also installed a machine that makes leaf plates, bowls, and disposable glasses. He supplies these items at weddings and similar events, adding another layer of income to the enterprise. He is actively working to scale this side of the business as well. What began as an unplanned pivot after hardship has grown into a small but meaningful operation that feeds multiple households and stands as proof that the right opportunity, found at the right moment, can turn even the worst luck around.
