Kalpana Saroj – CEO Kamani Tubes

Kalpana Saroj was born in a Dalit family, but she fought against all the discrimination and followed her dream. She was married at a very young age. Kalpana faced serious financial issues, especially during her sister’s medical treatment. That was when she was triggered to be financially independent and earn money.Saroj was born in 1961 in Roperkheda village in, Akola, Maharashtra, India, to a Marathi Buddhist family, the eldest of three daughters and two sons. Saroj’s father served as a police constable at Repatkhed village in Akola. Kalpana Saroj was married at the age of 12 and lived in a slum in Mumbai with her husband’s family. After suffering physical abuse at the hands of her husband’s family members, she was rescued by her father, left her husband and returned to her village to live with her parents. She attempted suicide after being ostracized by the villagers.At the age of 16, she moved back to Mumbai to live with her uncle. She started working in a garment factory to support her family. Using government loans for scheduled caste people, she successfully started a tailoring business and then a furniture storeToday, she is the CEO of Kamani Tubes and has made the company reach heights. Her journey gives hope to all the women to never give up.