l
Transforming lives of
urban poor …Success stories under
DAY-NULM
National Urban Livelihoods Mission
Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Government of India
Setting the Context:
This booklet is compilation of
Success Stories of beneficiaries under
various components of DAY-NULM
from the States/UTs. The Success
Stories presented here exhibit the
critical role played by DAY-NULM
mitigating urban poverty and
transforming the lives of urban poor in
the country
Compiled By:
Edited By:
Guidance:
Designed By:
Content
1. Wage labourer turned entrepreneur
2. Hard work always pays with positive outcomes
3. Steps towards prosperity
4. Stitching dreams step by step
5. Adding beauty to life
6. Stepping her way to success
7. Breaking Free
8. Savoring a Dream
9. Dream came true
10. Break the shackles
11. Essences of team work
12. Fortune favours the brave
13. Where there is will, there is a way
14. Nothing succeeds like success
15. Don't give in, don't give up
16. Journey from Skills to Employment
17. Where there is a skill there is a way
18. Success always arrives to those who try hard
19. Dream big and make it happen
Contents
01
Transforming Lives
Today, Millath Gulab Chicken Masala Production Women
Unit is one of the leading spices production unit in Bhadravathi
area of Shimoga district, Karnataka. This unit is not only well
known because of its spice quality but also for cost effective
products.
“It was difficult for us to run the family with our meager
earnings. Even, we worked as a daily wage labourer to earn around
Rs.75/- per day for our living” says Shahina with choked voice.
Changes came in their life, when they learnt about National Urban
Livelihoods Mission and the facilities under the mission. All the five
women joined together and formed a group and planned to start a
Chicken Masala Production unit. Accordingly, proposal submitted
at the Urban Local Body for their unit. They mobilized a savings of
Rs. 68,000/- and soon availed a bank loan of Rs. 600,000/- for their
chicken masala unit under the Self-Employment Pgrogramme
(Group) component under NULM. Group members were
trained in operation of spices grinding, mixing and packaging
machines.
The packaged spice business of the group has been improved
considerably and these days each of the members is earning up to
Rs. 5000/- to 6000/- per month. This income has enhanced their
standard of living and daily life. "Our spices are of very good
quality. There is a good demand also. And with the growth in the
business, we have begun to repay the loan taken from the bank.”
says Shabana Banu. Now, these entrepreneurs are planning to
extend their business throughout the state.
Seeing the success, poor women of their locality are also
mobilized themselves and engaged in various income generation
activities.
Wage labourer turned entrepreneur
“It was difficult for
us to run the family
with our meager
earnings. Even,
we worked as a
daily wage labourer
to earn around Rs.75/-
per day for our
living”
02
Transforming Lives
SHG formation and its sustainability is depended upon the
group dynamics, attitude, interaction and team spirit among its
members. It has been proved in case of Mardanali Niranthara Self
Help Group of Koppal district of Karnataka.
“Once, we saw some officials from the Municipality office
visiting our area, talking to few women regarding formation of
SHG. They mentioned that through this way the women could
leverage some funds to help them grow economically” says
Farredha one of the members. She got interested and started
perusing to few women in the ward to see if they were interested.
Finally, she succeeds and the Mardanahalli Niranthara Self Help
Group formed consisting of 10 members and they started saving
Rs. 100 per month.
They used the savings for internal lending among
themselves with an interest rate of 2%. After 6 months of group
formation, they received Rs. 10,000 as revolving fund under
NULM. As per the individual member‟s requirement, the amount
was disbursed as loan.
All the members of the group belong from poor families
with little education. But, they were determined to take up some
income generation activity. After knowing about NULM, the
group decided to make use of its benefits. They took up a solid
waste management project from CMC Koppal and started
collecting waste from residential and commercial places. This
activity helped the group members financially and their turnover
income exceeds more than lakh.
Soon we received loan amount of Rs.2 lakh under the SEP
component of NULM. This has helped the group members to start
their business. Today, the group members are involved in selling
snacks, roti, fruit, broomsticks and bamboo craft items and getting
profit. Now, they are planning to scale up their roti business on
large and provide engagement to the needy ones.
“After our success we feel that there are ample opportunities in
Hard work always pays with positive outcomes
“Once, we saw some
officials from the
Municipality office
visiting our area,
talking to few women
regarding formation
of SHG. They
mentioned that
through this way the
women could leverage
some funds to help
them grow
economically”
03
Transforming Lives
40 years old Asha belongs to a BPL family, which includes
5 members. Her husband was the only bread winner of the family
with a meager income of Rs.3000/- per month. All the family
needs were to be met out of his income, but the income was not
sufficient. It was in 2003, Asha joined the self-help group after
knowing its benefits from Yallamma one of her neighbour. She
started saving and availed internal loan from the group to start
her cloth business.
“I started my cloth business with an amount of Rs.20,000/-.
I could repay the loan promptly and regularly, which motivated
and boosted my confidence for expansion of business by getting
loan amount of Rs. 1, 00,000/- from State Bank of India, Bellary in
the year 2014-15” says Asha. She is earning a profit of Rs.5000/-
per month out of her cloth business. She wants to expand her
business to fulfill dreams of her children. Today her daughter has
completed her graduation in engineering and her son pursuing
PUC, which wouldn‟t have been possible without the support of
SHG. She has invested some of her savings in social security
policies for herself and her family and constructed a Pucca house.
Asha has a future plan to set up a showroom and provide
engagement to the unemployed youth.
“I would like to give a message to all urban poor women
that poverty is not in our house, but it is in our heart and we have
to put own efforts to overcome poverty”, she says with a smile.
Steps towards prosperity
“I would like to give a
message to all urban
poor women that
poverty is not in our
house, but it is in our
heart and we have to
put own efforts to
overcome poverty”
04
Transforming Lives
38 years old Shradha of Koppal district, is now a
successful entrepreneur. She is leading a happy life with her
husband and two children. Earlier, her family had an income of
only Rs. 3500/- per month. Her husband was the only bread
winner for a family of four. With this meager income it was not
possible on her part to provide proper education for her two
children. She had been doing tailoring work at home to support
her family, but it did not help her much. Fortunes changed for
her good when she decided to undergo training in tailoring
under EST & P component of NULM. After successful
completion of training, she also availed a loan of Rs.2 lakh and
invested in her tailoring shop.
“Today I am able to earn an amount of Rs. 7000/- per
month by running a tailoring shop in the city. Now I am leading
a happy and comfortable life with my family. I am happy that I
can fulfill the dreams of my children” says Shradha.
She has a plan to change her tailoring shop to a boutique
as she believes that is where the new generation is attracted to.
She is also looking for more training to update her skills and run
her business successfully. Now she motivates other women in
her locality to follow her footsteps.
Stitching dreams step by step
“Today I am able to
earn an amount of
Rs. 7000/- per month by
running a tailoring
shop in the city. Now I
am leading a happy
and comfortable life
with my family. I am
happy that I can fulfill
the dreams of my
children”
05
Transforming Lives
Saraswathi is a remarkable woman who was born in
a poor family of Chikkaballapur. She read up-to class PUC
and left college at the age of seventeen. Her family has 4
members and husband is a marketing person in the computer
field. The family income was less out of which she had the
challenge to provide quality education for her 11 year old
daughter and 7 year old son.
It was her responsibility of taking care of home and
children with limited income of the husband. Nevertheless,
they were living a happy life. Then, she came to know about
the self-employment program of NULM. She decided to
undergo a beautician training program and joined the
entrepreneur development program. She received a loan of
Rs.1.5 lakh from the Corporation Bank under the SEP
component of NULM for her business of beauty salon and
opened a parlour in the city.
“Now I am able to support my husband by earning Rs.
4,000/- profit per month. The standard of living with my
family has changed a lot. Our children are able to get a
quality education. I do promptly repaying the EMI to the
bank so the bank has assured me of further help of Rs.
5 lakh for the expansion of business in the future”, she says
with confidence.
Adding beauty to life
“Now I am able to
support my husband by
earning Rs. 4,000/-
profit per month.
The standard of
living with my family
has changed a lot. Our
children are able to get
a quality education”
06
Transforming Lives
„I come from a traditional Muslim family‟, says
Sahidunisha, a devout Muslim woman who lives in the
Mithuwada area of Bhopal. There is only a small population of
Muslims in Mithuwada area of Bhopal. Her husband is an
unskilled daily labourer. It was really tough on Sahidunnisha to
feed her 4 children, properly with insufficient income of her
husband. Even, the family had struggled to manage two times
meal in a day. It compelled her to borrow money from private
money lenders and she started selling bangles along with other
items like cream, talcum powder, hairpins etc, on the footpath
(nearby vegetable market). She managed to earn profit of Rs.70 to
80 per day. She also started saving some amount of profit after
repayment of the high rates of interest to the lender.
In the meantime, she came to know about the National
Urban Livelihoods Mission and its benefits for the urban poor. She
had a dream to expand her business. Sahidunnisha inquired more
about the mission and applied for a loan for her business. She got a
loan of amount Rs.50, 000/- from SBI, under the component self-
employment programme of NULM. Soon she invested more to
expand her bangles business and started flourishing. A regular
income steadied her life. She was able to invest her profit for the
education of her children. She is regularly repaying her loan
instalments and earning a profit of Rs.6000/- per month.
“Today, we don‟t have to struggle for food or depend on
private lenders. I am happy with my business. Soon, I am planning
to open a ladies corner shop in the name of my daughter”, shares
Sahidunnisha with a smile.
Stepping her way to success
“Today, we don‟t have
to struggle for food or
depend on private
lenders. I am happy
with my business.
Soon, I am planning to
open a ladies corner
shop in the name of my
daughter”
07
Transforming Lives
At the age of 36, when most women prefer to relax on the
shoulders of their better halves, fate had left Bimla
without any such shoulders to rest. As a widow, she adorned
multiple roles to get things moving for her and her son, including
the role of a housemaid at her home town. Bimla was adept in
tailoring but couldn't find sufficient orders to rely on it as a primary
income source. Meanwhile, she started a grocery shop from her
home. To increase her business activities, she contacted the nearby
municipality office. Under the SEP component of National Urban
Livelihoods Mission, a loan amount of Rs.50, 000/- was sanctioned
in her name. She received Rs.25, 000/- as first installment and
invested the loan amount in the business.
Gradually she shifted her shop from home to a rented house
and officially launched her grocery shop. Using loan cycle, she
expanded her grocery shop to one stop shop of the locality. She
started selling stationeries and other day to day need products in
her shop along with grocery items. Her daily income now increased
ten folds from Rs.100/ day to Rs.1,000/day. Presently, she is
earning a monthly profit of Rs.6000/-. Prosperity in business
encouraged her for more saving. No wonder, her standard of living
improved and now she owned a Pucca house and didn't need to
compromise on favourite dishes for her son. Moreover, she was
happy that she could give reasonably good education to her son.
Now she focuses on improving her revenues and has plans to
decorate the shop with showcases and other amenities.
Success takes time but one should be determined by will
power along the way.
Breaking Free
She is earning a
monthly profit of
Rs.6000/-. Prosperity
in business
encouraged her for
more saving. No
wonder, her standard
of living improved
and now she owned a
Pucca house and
didn't need to
compromise on
favourite dishes for
her son.
08
Transforming Lives
Preeti is a 25 year old girl who lives in the Durga Colony area of
Bhopal. Discontentment over the family situation led her to seek
change. Hailing from a poor family, after completion of her 12th
standard it was difficult for Preeti to do higher studies. So she left her
studies after 12th class. It was quite difficult in part her father to run the
family after marriage of three daughters.
Running tuition classes for school children at home quelled her
restless spirit for a while, but soon she found that it was not enough to
fuel her drive. The job contributed partly to the family, but she was
dreaming of something more productive. More importantly, Preeti
wanted to do something that would define her identity and carve a
niche around her. She was very much interested in the beauty care
course and underwent the training programme in the nearby institution
of her residence. She not only taught her the basics of professional
beauty care service, but also the dynamics of running this business.
When she came to know about National Urban Livelihoods
Mission, soon she inquired more about the mission in the nearby urban
local body. She submitted her application to start a beauty parlour and
after consideration received a loan amounting Rs.75, 000/- under the
SEP component of National Urban Livelihoods Mission. Presently she is
running a beauty parlour at her home and generating a monthly income
of Rs. 7000/-. Her mother and younger sister are also helping her in the
parlour. Now the family feels happy because of her effort. She has now
become a supporting hand for the family. Her father also feels proud of
her.
“I have a dream to start a modern ladies beauty salon with spa
services”, Preeti says with a smile and confidence.
Savoring a Dream
“I have a dream to
start a modern ladies
beauty salon with spa
services”
09
Transforming Lives
55 years old Nabinoor is an orthopedically handicapped
person with more than 40% of disability. On rent basis, he was
running an auto rickshaw to earn bread and butter of his family of
13. He was not able to earn enough to support his family because a
larger share of his daily income goes to pay the rent of the auto. He
belongs to a below poverty line category, family, where they were
struggling for two times standard meals in a day. Due to his
physical disability and lower level of education, he even could not
dream to opt any other livelihoods options.
Meanwhile Nabinoor came to know about National Urban
Livelihoods through the awareness programme of urban local
body. He always dreamt to have his own auto rickshaw so that he
could earn enough to support his family. His dream materialised,
when he applied for a loan under the SEP component of NULM and
received a loan amount of Rs.1.5 lakh to buy an auto - rickshaw.
Now, he has been able to earn Rs. 15,000 to 18,000/- per
month and making regular repayment of the loan installments to
the bank. Undoubtedly, the standard of living of the family has
been improved. Nabinoor is now happy and satisfied.
Dream came true
He always dreamt to
have his own auto
rickshaw so that he
could earn enough to
support his family.
10
Transforming Lives Here is a story of Sohanbai aged 45 years old of Nagda, Ujjain
who runs her tea stall from morning to evening to earn livelihood her
family. Due to very miserable financial condition Sohanbai had to leave
from school after completing just 4th class. After a few years, her father
arranged her marriage to Badrilal of Ujjain who was an unskilled labour.
Sohanbai and her husband along with five children used to live in
extreme poverty. The overall condition of the household was quite
miserable. But it became more pathetic when her husband also tortured
her after being drunk day after day. After some years it was impossible
to run her family consisting her husband and five children with the very
little income of her husband. Moreover, the torture of her husband was
increasing incessantly. She was completely hopeless. One fine morning
her husband left her with no reason. She was helpless with her children.
She was not earning and she was completely dependent financially on
her husband to run her household. Even she did not have food to eat
during those days.
“Early morning at 5.00 am to till 10.00 am, I worked in the houses
of four families to mopped, cleaned clothes, utensils to manage meals for
my family” she says with filled eyes. But the earnings from working as
the maid was not sufficient for her family.
She came to know about NULM from the community organiser
and applied for a loan. She received a loan amount of Rs. 50,000/- under
the SEP component and started to run a tea stall in the local market. She
has been scaling up gradually her business with the help of loan amount.
Presently, she is earning Rs.7, 000/- per month and opened a savings
account in the bank also. Her success inspires a number of poor women
of her locality and their family to prosper and be a part of social
development.
Break the shackles
“Early morning at
5.00 am to till 10.00
am, I worked in the
houses of four
families to mopped,
cleaned clothes,
utensils to manage
meals for my family”
11
Transforming Lives
The essences of team work leading to success proved in the
case of women SHG members of ward no 20 of the Mandsor
Municipality area, Madhya Pradesh. Taking advantages of the
benefits offered by the National Urban Livelihoods Mission, the
women are running Radhaswami Bachat Ebam Sakh Samuha (SHG)
and opted papad making as their predominant activity. The group
has been active since 2014. Since the date of group formation, the
members were used to save Rs.100/- per month. The group received a
revolving fund of Rs.10, 000/- under NULM, which raised to the
group corpus value to Rs.25, 000/-. Then the group members were
decided to start some income generation activities.
A few of the group members were involved in making papad
and used to sell in the nearby shops to make money for themselves. It
was merely to earn a penny more and get through the day. Then, they
decided to prepare papad, badi, pickles during their spare time
because of good market demand. The group received a loan of Rs. 2
lakh under SEP component of NULM. Their collective efforts right
from the purchase of raw materials to marketing of the food products
lowered the operational cost and increased the overall profit. Today,
after repaying the instalment of loan amount, each member is earning
Rs.1500/- per month. Savings, investments and timely financial
support have provided a space for incipient identity to them. Now,
they are happy and dreaming to succeed more in their business.
Word of their financial acumen and success is slowly spreading
across the town and the SHG is earning recognition as financial
advisor.
Essences of team work
Word of their
financial acumen and
success is slowly
spreading across the
town and the SHG is
earning recognition as
financial advisor.
12
Transforming Lives
Getting success in life, particularly in career, by its very nature,
a challenging endeavor, and achieving success under incredible
personal odds is certainly a great accomplishment. Defying all obstacles
of life, a 20 year girl from the Ranchi district of Jharkhand named
Anima Soreng proved everyone a point. „Success is hard earned‟, she
says with a smile. Her story is truly a reflection of Poverty to Possibility.
She has been an icon of success in her locality.
Grown up in extreme economic hardships and gloomy social
surroundings, she understands the true value of hard work and
earnestness to achieve anything in life. The father was the only bread
earner for the family. But misfortune struck her as a bolt from the blue,
when father‟s death came as a rude shock for all in her family. Now she
was compelled to earn for a living. “It was so terrible and forlorn
feeling for me”, she remembers.
In spite of all difficulties, this valiant girl never left her
education. Being a Graduate, she always wanted to support her family
income. Her education came handy in tutoring students of nearby
locality and earn an income for the family. Fortunes took a lucky turn
when she came to know about NULM and its Skill Training and
Placement Programmes. She readily grabbed the opportunity and
enrolled for training in „Bank Accounting‟ and „Computer Course‟.
The successful completion of training and her constant fortitude
to succeed has finally fetched her job as Samvad Expert in Soochana
Bhawan She is candid on her attainment and leaves a message that
“hard work never goes unrewarded. NULM has undoubtedly changed
my course of life for a positive, which I had never imagined”.
She rightly crafted the story of tragedy to triumph.
Fortune favours the brave
But misfortune struck
her as a bolt from the
blue, when father‟s
death came as a rude
shock for all in her
family. Now she was
compelled to earn for a
living
13
Transforming Lives
Pawan Saw, a youth of twenty-five is a perfect illustration of
perseverance, grit and determination in the face of persistent adversity.
Coming from a typical joint family, where his father is the only earning
member with inadequate income, it was far more a distant dream for
him to aspire for a good career. The pressure from family constantly
dragged him back.
But, a „never say No‟ persona and strong willed boy like him
met all shortcomings head on and could able to complete his
graduation in Economics. Soon he went for job haunting both in public
and private sectors, but to no avail. The tough and competitive realities
of the present day job market made him realize that he must acquire
and equip himself with industrial skills and knowledge. The Skill
Training and Placement programme under NULM came to his rescue
and he did his Diploma in Computer Application. The zeal and
enthusiasm came to the fore when the training institution also assured
him of a good placement once he clears the trade successfully.
His sincere effort was soon recognized when he impressed
everyone by his performance and skills. Pawan was selected as a
Computer Operator in Jansamwad Kendra in Ranchi with a starting
salary of Rs. 5000/- p.m. Commenting on his struggle-filled life, Pawan
says, “I had always wanted to help in sustaining our family, but
couldn‟t figure out how. Joining of employment through skill training
and placement programme has changed my life. Now, I have a job and
I am contributing my earnings for my family”.
“Believe that you possess powerful reserves of will and
endurance and your belief will help create the fact”, he articulates.
Where there is a will, there is a way
“Believe that you
possess powerful
reserves of will and
endurance and your
belief will help create
the fact”
14
Transforming Lives
Life has not been easy for this Tribal girl Suman since her
childhood. Resident to Ranchi Municipal Corporation, she finds her
home among big eight member family. Deprived of many necessities
of life, she has seen several dreams shattered in the past, felt defeated
and wanted to quit on their dreams. With little options around, she
has chosen the journey of self-empowering. She kept on fighting with
the odds and never allowed any situation to stop her pushing for a
good life for her and family.
Father‟s scanty income was hardly enough to meet the needs of
her big family. Being the eldest among her sibling she felt the
responsibility to take it upon her to support her family. Her sheer grit
and determination made her look for options and she chose to make a
living by teaching to children of her locality. Continued to study on
her own and became a Commerce graduate.
Soon she realized that “the only way I know to get started is by
learning a marketable skill and getting to work” and was inquiring
about Employment through Skill Training and Placement Program
under the National Urban Development Mission. Without any second
thought, she enrolled herself for Banking and Accounting Course. She
has never looked behind thereafter. Employed in Soochana Bhawan
as Samvad Expert, she has brought qualitative changes in her life and
managed to enhance the drifting family standard as well. Now, she
seems to be managing quite well. With moist eyes Suman recollects,
“NULM is indeed a big boon for poor people like us, living in remote
areas of small towns”.
„I feel liberated!‟ she quips emphatically.
Nothing succeeds like success
“NULM is indeed a
big boon for poor
people like us, living
in remote areas of
small towns”
15
Transforming Lives
"Don't give up; don't give in - just get back up and start
rebuilding your life as quickly as possible" pronounces this boy from
Ranchi, named Arjun who is an Intermediate Science drop-out. Pegged
by poverty, he could not be able to complete his formal college education
and was forced to look for employment to support his family.
His family, which depends on Agricultural income never had a
regular return. It has been just a subsistence living. His quest for work
and employment was, however futile as he had no formal skills mastered
meant for industrial needs and purpose. Unable to find any meaningful
employment, he was growing restless, depressed and sometimes
agitated.
His focused endeavor landed him with a positive platform when
Arjun came to know about free training and placement program under
National Urban Development Mission from one of his friends. He visited
the MICA Education Centre where he felt extremely encouraged after
knowing the world of opportunities ahead if he masters one.
Arjun opted for the Computer Course and worked hard during
his training. The Skills acquired paid off well in his job search and soon
he got engaged as a Computer Operator with Jansamwad Kendra. Arjun
is very happy with his employment and more so because he can now
support his family. His parents are elated and extremely proud of him.
Now, he is planning to complete his graduate studies.
“Don‟t be satisfied with your present record of achievement.
Strive every hour to turn better into best”, he advises.
Don’t give up, don't give in
“Don‟t be satisfied
with your present
record of
achievement. Strive
every hour to turn
better into best”
16
Transforming Lives
"It was very early on in my life that I had to come across
hurdles," Imdad, son of a daily wage labourer from Ranchi
mentions. A family which was struggling to make a living and in a
hand to mouth condition, I could not stay silent watching this
misery.
It was sink or swim, and sinking wasn't an option. What
kept me going was an inner drive, an inner hunger to prove to
myself and others that anything is possible. Yes, there came many
obstacles, but I never stopped. I always found a way to move
around the obstacle. In order to continue his studies and support
family, Imdad started doing part time job at an early age of 16.
He got to know about the free placement linked training
program under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission. He
readily undertook training in Computer Application along with
regular counselling and guidance. Soon he was better placed in
retail giant Big Bazaar, Ranchi as Computer Operator. His decent
income of Rs.6000/- p.m. is helping his family members leading a
better standard of living. He admires, “Such effort of government
related to Employment through Skill Training and Placement
program under NULM is improving the skills of youth and adding
value to their lives”.
“You can make the impossible become attainable!”, if you
are persistent in your effort, he says.
Journey from Skills to Employment
It was sink or swim,
and sinking wasn't an
option. What kept me
going was an inner
drive, an inner hunger
to prove to myself
and others that
anything is possible
17
Transforming Lives
“Thanks to the free skill training and placement program
under NULM, which I feel lucky to receive to enhance my market
required skills and understanding to fetch a proper employment.
Without the dedication and continued support of this program, this
opportunity would be impossible at this time in my life. It is providing
me with the tools necessary to build a successful career and more
importantly, I am more confident in myself. I believe that I can achieve
my goal and accomplish so much in my life.” says Sisiliya, a tribal girl
from Ranchi. Being trained in Computer Application Course along with
adequate receptive and expressive language skills under NULM, she
has become more confident and optimistic.
Employed in Soochana Bhawan as a Computer Operator, she
savoured as one of the bread earner for her family of four. Sisliya is a
truly happy girl now, happy that she is able to support her family
financially. Her self-reliance has turned her into a responsible,
confident and determined girl.
Her higher studies came to a grinding halt, with the sudden
death of her father. Her mother worked hours as a daily wage labourer
to earn a living for the family. Looking back on her struggle-filled life,
Sisliya says, “I had always wanted to help my poor mother in
sustaining our family, but couldn‟t figure out how. At that time, the
situation was quite worsened for us”. Now, she is just better off and
dreams of continuation of education.
“It feels like a flood, at last, has come down upon our dry river
bed”, she expresses with appreciation.
Where there is a skill there is a way
"Thanks to the free
skill training and
placement program
under NULM, which I
feel lucky to receive
to enhance my market
required skills and
understanding to
fetch a proper
employment”
18
Transforming Lives
Whatever is your problem, your obstacles surely cannot be as
difficult to overcome as that of the humble bumblebee. The notion is
apt for this twenty five year girl from Ranchi, Suchita Gari. She has
taken the impending adversities and difficulties of her extreme poor
background in her own stride and has proven her tenacity. Grown up
in an extremely poor family and in deprived condition, she attributes
her success to her ability to let go of his internal fears and take control
of the situation. All I did is “I got ready to set sail”… come what may.
Now that she could support her family of seven, where father is only
other earning member, working in a private farm.
After graduating in Commerce, it was very difficult on her
part to study further. She had to do tuition classes for earning some
money to support her family and preparing for competitive
examinations as well for getting an employment.
To her good fortune, Suchita came to know about Employment
through Skill Training and Placement program under the National
Urban Livelihoods Mission. She enrolled herself for most sought after
Computer Course. After successful completion she was rewarded
with a job of Samvad Expert in Soochana Bhawan. „You need
perseverance,‟ she says. "Stay positive and keep trying, the answers
will be forthcoming. As Suchita says, 'just do it‟.
She has carved out a niche as a successful girl, more
importantly from such a poor background. Being in job is one of the
greatest highs. Now, the standard of living in her family is slowly
improving and she aspires to go up further in the career ladder.
“Success always comes to those who try hard enough and
long enough!” she opines.
Success always arrives to those who try hard
“Success always
comes to those who
try hard enough and
long enough!”
19
Transforming Lives
Hailing from the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, which has
long been at the center of Naxalite-Maoist insurgency, the story of
Seema, 21 years truly depict the audacity and enterprising attitude of
this girl from a small city of Deoghar. Like any other girls her age,
Seema envisions many dreams and aspirations in her eyes for a bright
and successful future for her and also for her family.
Life hasn't been easy for Seema though, who has been burdened
with only two working hands in her family of five. Father is a daily
wager, the earnings hardy meet their ends. He is therefore constrained
to other vocations like selling toys for some extra income. To her utter
misfortune, her mother also lends her hand as a maid in nearby
localities. She has in fact seen poverty from close and has understood
her parents‟ frantically struggling day in and day out to meet the
family needs. Being a daughter, she has developed a deep sense of
responsibility within her which is remarkable for a girl of her age.
Throughout her struggling career, Seema has, however remained
optimistic and refused to let her poverty deter her from thinking,
planning and dreaming.
Thus arose the beacon of Hope, She came to gather information
from a Community Organiser about employment prospects through
Skill Training and Placement Program under National Urban
Livelihoods Mission meant for poor candidates offered her ray of
optimism and hopefulness in the first instance and was absolutely
determined to take this opportunity of free training and placement
support for improving her job prospects and also avoiding extreme
economic vulnerability. She exhibited matchless courage and tenacity
to amend her fortunes.
Dream big and make it happen
“I believe that I can
achieve my goal and
accomplish so much
in my life"
20
Transforming Lives
With professional training and guidance from the BASIS team, in the trade
of Retail Management, which has seen a great upsurge in the past decade and
with great potentialities in the job market, she took the lessons meticulous. She
was beaming with confidence and determination. She has quickly shown interest
in the world of diversified commodities, sales markets, market segments,
diversification of businesses, advertising and campaigning, and marketing
research, etc. She was absolutely resolute and firm to work hard and find an
employment.
Seema has now completed her training successfully and proved her
acumen to be the most confident and determined learners amongst her batch.
During the training, she was extremely focused, dedicated and sincere towards her
assignment and displayed a very positive attitude to learn right from the
beginning.
Today, after successful completion of training, Seema is working at Big
Bazaar, one of the very prestigious retail outlets in Deogarh, earning around
Rs.6000/- per month (supported with extra perks and incentives) and working with
absolute zeal and enthusiasm. Her profession offers wide scope for exploring new
companies that get introduced into the market and offer various products.
Needless to say Seema is a role model for all girls of her locality. She has
defied all evident odds to actualize her dreams. Even though from a poor
conservative family, Seema has demonstrated the confidence to relocate to
Deogarh town, for her job. The economic prosperity for her family has followed
her success. She aspires to rise to the position of Floor Manager soon by
enhancing her skills in the trade. From a shy introvert village girl, she could
transform herself as an energetic, dynamic girl beaming with confidence. Now she
says with sureness that, “I believe that I can achieve my goal and accomplish so
much in my life!"
Seema believes in the saying “dream big and make it happen” and feels
proud of her family.
l
National Urban Livelihoods Mission Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation
Government of India Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi-110011 www.mhupa.gov.in / www.nulm.gov.in
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