"I could not go to school. But I have become able to send my kids to a good boarding school and that's a dream come true," said Sita, who's running multiple businesses in Tikapur. She added that the greatest satisfaction is to be economically sound and capable to raise children well.The three businesses of Sita have varieties - cycle workshop, grocery shop as well as meat shop. In total, she makes net profit of over Rs 30,000. "That's enough to educate children in good school, run daily expenses as well as save some amount," Sita gladly stated.
While huge number of ex - Kamlaries and other people from poor background in Dhangadi continue reel under poverty, Sita changed her fate with support of nothing than a cooperative.
In 2013, Sita could get loan of Rs 20,000 from a cooperative called Kisan Bahuudeshsiya Sahakari Sanstha. Since she had not received training for any sort of business, she decided to invest the amount for her husband. Her husband Ramkumar Chaudhari, who was an amateur cycle repairer, established a workshop with the money. The couple's life begun to embrace just happiness and prosperity since then.
"It is true that money is power. There was time when I would hesitate to express myself in front of others. Now, as I'm standing in own feet, I feel so free. It is very important to become independent," Sita remarked. She added that economic independence boosts confidence and shapes ones personality. "As we feel confident, we can help not only ourselves, but also lead others. I feel good that I'm also showing way to many here," she said.
After Ramkumar started making good money through the cycle workshop, Sita set up a pork shop. However, as the pork shop was not faring well, she started selling chicken. Meanwhile, she also learnt repairing of cycles through her husband.
"I developed so much interested in the repairing work that I later did pretty well in that. While I was running my meat shop, I also gave time to cycle repairing," Sita informed. According to her, customers love her work. "Once I mend their cycles, they don't have to come back for long. People are quite happy with my work and I also enjoy it very much," Sita said.
Most of the people in the locality are dependent on cycle for mobility. Around 1000 people in Ganeshpur area of Tikapur, where the bycycle workshop is located, have cycle. And Sita is the person in demand when those cycles need any fixing or repairing. In addition, she also has a grocery shop which also fetches her good profit.
"After failing to get employment, we had come to Tikapur. We were unknown what would unfold in days to come, but there was will to make life better," reminisced Sita. In lack of education or any other remarkable skill in hand, it was tough to get going in the town. Entire year passed in search of work, she said.
"Things changed as I became member of a women's group. I came to know that we could get loan without any collateral. I went for that then," said Sita who had subsequently become central member of Upahar Women Farmer Development Center. "That was my turning point. I have not looked back since then."
There are many houses of ex- Kamaiya and Kamlaries in the locality. Among those stands one distinctly attractive - Sita's house. "I don't spend all what I earn. Quite a big chuck is saved in bank," Sita proudly informed.
Sita is one among over 30,000 women in the region to receive loan from the cooperative, which has been providing small loans to local women since a decade. According to Prakash GC, program chief of Tikapur branch of the cooperative, 3200 women from Tikapur alone have been provided loan for several business ventures. "Women willing to do some business for better income are encouraged. Local women's groups are linked to us and the women are provided loans easily," he remarked.
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