CASE Study
“If there is a will, there is a way”
Name of the Beneficiary- Shanti Devi
Name of the village: Bada Gaon
District – Dausa
State – Rajasthan
I am Shanti Devi, belong to a poor family of Sain caste in Bada Gaon. My husband was a Barber and he died 25 years ago leaving my children and me alone. We have only half Bigha of land. After his death, the burden of the family was on me, but somehow I managed to get my children married and handed over the half Bigha of land to my sons who turn by turn cultivate it every year. Besides that my sons go to work in other people’s field for daily wages. They have children to be looked after and I didn’t want to become a burden for them, though they are ready to look after me.
Meanwhile I happened to meet Adhikar team and I Shared my problem with them. They spoke to me on widow pension scheme and they got the form filled and applied for it in Panchayat. After 3 months my pension got sanctioned and started getting Rs.500/ per month. But this was not enough to meet all my expenses. In Bada Gaon village readymade handloom garments are being made by the people. Raw mateirals after cutting it for the desired garments are provided from the factory to the villagers and they get the garment ready and return to the factory. I too wanted to stitch the garments but I had no money to purchase a sewing machine. I expressed my desire to Adhikar team. And they asked me to join SHG and start saving so that I could buy a sewing machine. I did so. Meanwhile, I learned to stitch the readymade garments from a lady nearby who was also doing the same thing and I taught my both the grand children too. After learning, I took loan from SHG and purchased a machine and started stitching the garment along with my grandchildren. The factory people give us Rs50/ per day per person. We have to stitch only two to three hours per day. I am grateful to Adhikar team for showing me the way. Though I am old, I am happy that I am able to earn my living. “If there is a will, there is a way”