”I was constantly reminded that I shouldn't rely solely on my husband. I felt that women should stand on their own two feet, and that if they could earn money, their self-esteem would definitely increase. That's when I got involved in the sewing business.”
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The sound of the sewing machine starting in the morning continues to ring in my ears until the evening. This sound also increases my confidence. However, my struggle to operate the machine was not easy. Until two years ago, I was limited to the boundaries set by household chores and family.
The responsibility of earning a living for the family was on the shoulders of the husband. He would get up and go to work. When I saw him alone, the question 'Can't I do anything?' always haunted my mind. I kept saying that women should stay at home.
I am now 28 years old. My house is in Amargadhi Municipality-5. I am doing a sewing business in a small shop in Tufandanda. I was repeatedly reminded that I should not depend on my husband alone. I felt that a woman should also stand on her own feet, that if she can earn, her self-esteem will definitely increase. It was then that I joined the sewing business.
I gradually convinced myself that 'I can also earn'. I convinced my family. At that time, the Integrated Development Society provided an opportunity for sewing training. I also participated in the training.
Even though the earnings from hard work are small, I can sleep soundly. My self-esteem is increasing. At first, it seemed like a difficult task. I was afraid to operate the machine. My hands would shake. After practicing, my hands would become stiff. My confidence also grew. After the training, I did not have a big dream. I started working with a small investment. However, I had made up my mind to work hard. Two years ago, I started a sewing business by saving 50,000 rupees. I bought a small tin box in Tufandanda by paying a monthly rent of 4,000 rupees. Thus, ‘Pramila Sewing Center’ was started in a small shop.
Nowadays, I open the shop at 10 in the morning. On normal days, I work till 5-6 pm. During festivals and wedding seasons, I work till 9-10 pm. I usually sew three-four pairs of clothes a day. I earn between 1,000 and 1,500 rupees a day.
That income has helped a lot in fulfilling the financial needs of the family. This income has also brought about a change in our daily lives. Now, I don't have to worry about eating in the evening and morning. I can eat home-cooked food. I cook dal, rice, vegetables and sometimes meat. All this has been possible with my own earnings. I sometimes have to eat lunch at the shop, and apart from that, I have covered my food expenses. Earlier, I had to think a lot when I had to spend money, but now it has become easier to buy clothes, eat food and meet my household expenses. Eating food cooked with my own earnings gives me a special satisfaction.
After I became established in the business, I decided to teach others. I am currently teaching sewing to four women. I have also given them work on a piece-by-piece basis. They are earning while learning. Their household expenses are also running from this. Women should support women. It gives me satisfaction to make others self-reliant. My family is with me on my journey. My husband and other family members have supported me.
They say, ‘Whatever you do, do it well.’ Now I feel proud. I don’t have to keep asking my husband for money. Even if the earnings of hard work are small, I can sleep soundly. My self-esteem is increasing. What I have learned in life is that there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have to learn skills, you have to work.
Presented by: Tarkaraj Bhatt
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