Last September, in 2025, the Bihar Idea Festival concluded at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna. YourStory launched the festival under its initiative, The Bharat Project, in collaboration with the Bihar Industries Department and the Chandragupt Institute of Management, Patna (CIMP). The objective was to take entrepreneurship beyond metropolitan cities and select groups of people, reaching young people in smaller towns and villages and helping them turn their business ideas into reality.

Shital Kumari was among those present at the event. She wanted to start her own business but had several questions. What business should she start? How would she get started? Where would the money come from? And what would happen if her efforts failed?

Life had already exposed her to numerous challenges. Taking the risk of starting a business was not easy, but she decided to take a step towards turning her idea into reality.

Nearly a year later, Shital's efforts reached an important milestone. Through YourStory's Shuru Kar initiative, she received funding of Rs 1 lakh for her startup, GomatiRoots. The funding came from Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO of YourStory and The Bharat Project. For Shital, the amount represented more than financial support; it was also a sign of confidence in her idea.

Through GomatiRoots, Shital aims to give Bihar's traditional badi and other indigenous food products a distinct identity. She wants badi, a traditional lentil-based food product that has been part of Indian households for generations, to establish itself as a trusted brand in the market.

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