Lata Verma's Story
There have been multiple cases of women moving forward in their lives with more confidence and dignity after having become functionally literate and numerate from the TARA Akshar+ programme. Similar is the story of Lata Verma who resides in Baghaura village of Kachhauna Block in Hardoi District, with her family of 5 people.

Like many other women of her village, Lata could not get the chance to attend school during her childhood due to her family’s poor economic condition. Even after getting married and having two kids, she always yearned to have the ability to read and write, but for years her wish couldn’t get fulfilled. When TARA Akshar+ came to her village, she shared, “The first thought that came to my mind was that finally I would also be able to read and write like my brothers and my children”. Instantly, she enrolled herself with the programme.

Her initial journey was not as easy as she had thought. While on one hand her husband resented and didn’t approve of her going to classes every day, on the other, she wasn’t able to understand what was taught in the first few days. But she held her ground. Eventually, with her courage and hardwork, she completed TARA Akshar+ as well as Gyan Chaupali. Not only did she learn to read and write through the informative sessions and discussions held in the Gyan Chaupali, she realised that the ‘purdah’ custom had been holding her back her entire life. It was then that she decided that it was time for her to move on and not live in purdah anymore.

Learning the importance of hygiene from Gyan Chaupali, Lata along with her husband got a toilet constructed in their house. She also underwent a tailoring and stitching course organised by the programme along with RSETI Hardoi. Then she applied for a bank loan to procure a sewing machine for herself. Additionally, she also opened a small kirana shop in her house. She is now able to earn a profit of upto INR 300-400 per day. As a result, she is now getting construction done in her house (additional rooms). She is overseeing the construction activity all by herself. Since TARA Akshar+, Lata’s day is completely packed – household work, running the shop, buffalo raring, work on the fields, overseeing the construction. She shares “If after becoming literate, I do not use every minute of my day constructively, it is not fair."

Neelam Soni's Story
Skill development programmes are playing a major role in changing lives of women in all parts of India. One such programme of the Development Alternatives Group “Livelihoods to Self-Reliance” programme has impacted lives of many women in different villages by providing them skill sets which can help them in earning and becoming independent. Here is the story of Neelam Soni who resides in Imaliya village of Sumerpur block and Hamirpur district with her family of 4 members.

Neelam belonged to an economically weak family and being a married woman, she had more responsibilities on her shoulder. One day she met one of the representatives of the Prabhat Skill Development Centre who informed her about the various skilling courses. She decided to join the Assistant Beauty Therapist Course. After completing the course, she opened her own beauty parlour by investing an amount of INR 85000/-. She also sells cosmetic items at her parlour, artificial jewelry and provides services for bridal makeup. She is happy as she is now independent and is earning a decent amount of money which has improved the economic status of her family. ■

Ankita Rai & Divya Mehrotra
arai@devalt.org, dmehrotra@devalt.org