Minati Sabat is a dynamic entrepreneur and educationist from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, dedicated to social transformation. Through women’s self-help groups, nutritious millet-based ventures, and visionary school leadership, she empowers communities, promotes sustainable livelihoods, and drives inclusive growth with a strong focus on education and women’s empowerment.
From homemaker to trailblazer, Minati leads the Om Sai Ram Self-Help Group since 2019, owning Millet Shakti Café near Kalinga Stadium. Her outlet serves ragi-based delights like noodles, pakodas, laddoos, and hot meals, sustaining 17 women daily while supporting 120 through stitching and processing. Trained in millet tech around 2017, she scaled from cloth bags to a buzzing café backed by Odisha Millets Mission and Mission Shakti—proving superfoods can drive economic independence for slum and tribal women. Minati's passion spans marathons for social causes and fashion flair, embodying resilience. Her story—from SHG roots to millet mogul—ignites women's agroecology and business aspirations across Odisha.
Minati's rise wasn't without hurdles. Early days involved convincing SHG members to shift from traditional tailoring to millet processing amid skepticism about market demand. She tackled this through hands-on training sessions, partnering with government schemes for subsidies, and innovative marketing—like millet-based snacks at local events. Today, her café thrives on repeat customers seeking gluten-free, nutrient-rich options amid rising health awareness post-pandemic. Her focus on quality sourcing from tribal farmers ensures sustainability, creating a ripple effect of rural income generation. Looking ahead, Minati plans to franchise Millet Shakti across Odisha districts, integrating e-commerce for millet products and expanding school scholarships for underprivileged girls. Her mantra—"Empower one woman, uplift a family"—fuels ambitions to scale Mission Shakti's model nationwide. Through grit and innovation, Minati Sabat continues redefining success for Odia women, one millet grain and classroom at a time.
