IT Worker Returns Home, Builds Event Business in Ballia

When Ankit's father's health declined, the choice became clear: family came first. The IT professional left his job with a US-based company in Delhi and returned to his hometown of Ballia, uncertain how he'd rebuild his career in a smaller city.

At a friend's suggestion, Ankit attended a seminar hosted by the local District Industries Centre. There, he discovered the CM YUVA Yojana, a government program offering interest-free loans to young entrepreneurs. The support made starting a business suddenly feel possible.

"I thought, with this kind of facility in my hometown, why should I go back outside for a job?" Ankit recalls.

He launched Home Decor Planner, offering event planning and decoration services for birthday parties, haldi and mehendi ceremonies, and corporate gatherings. The business focuses on intimate events of 20 to 50 people, providing complete theme-based decoration and event management.

The loan application process moved faster than expected. With help from DIC officials and Union Bank, Ankit secured roughly Rs 4.5 lakh (about $5,400) after contributing 10% himself. "I only had to provide the required documents; the rest of the process was handled smoothly," he says.

Today, the business employs three to four regular workers, hiring additional help as orders increase. Ankit's venture has inspired others around him to explore the same program. A former customer who runs a beauty parlor applied for support, and one of his employees launched an independent setup.

The Ripple Effect

What started as one man's necessity is now creating opportunities across Ballia. By staying close to home, Ankit manages both family care and business growth without compromise. His steady approach has allowed him to build stable operations while showing others that entrepreneurship at home is possible.

The transition from corporate IT to small-town event planning wasn't the career path Ankit imagined, but it's become something better: a source of steady work, local employment, and proof that sometimes going home means moving forward.