On the attic of a two-bedroom house, 31-year-old Sundar printed blocks on five-meter sheets and fed maroon dye in the village of Lakhan Majra in Rohtak, Haryana, located in Haryana, about 90 km northwest of Delhi. The room is on three sides and is opened with an iron screen to allow gusts and dry summer monsoons to pass through, but lack a ceiling fan to prevent the dye from drying out.
In another corner of the room, Kaveta, 42, is fully focused on sewing Phatkas (Scarf), hurry to meet the delivery deadline. She travels 4 km from the workplace every day from the neighboring Kharenti Village because there is no public transport on the road to her village.
Sundar and Kavita are members of the Self-Help Group (SHG)In the Rohtak area, they are united under the banner of Unnati Swayam Sahayata Samuh. The SHG group of about 300 women is engaged in block printing, sewing, jute bags and jewelry making.
SHG’s workshop is filled with wood blocks, dyes and lines. A huge “Cadi Revolution” poster, which includes the image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hangs on one of the walls. WoodenMahatma Gandhi’s printing blocks, Modi,Haryana Chief Minister Nayab SainiUsed for various customers.
Stitching financial freedom
Sundar works around Rs 9,000 per month. She said hard work inspired her two children, 9 and 7. She recalled the way they visited her workplace and was shocked by the difficult conditions at which she worked. “Now, when I get home, they’re eager to give me a glass of water and turn the fan on quickly,” Sundar said.
Manta, 47, affectionately called “Manta”ditransparent(Manta Sister) is composed of group members and is the backbone of Unnati. She joined in 2017 after running a beauty salon and shopping to support her family. Her name is Monata, but communication is in trouble and Manta becomes her legal name.
This year, Maita paid a semester fee of Rs 4 lakh for her youngest son, who is studying for a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) in Bangalore. She and her husband, Dhanvantri Sharma, now own the house and commercial plots. The couple has spent Rs 6 million for the BAMS course fee for both sons.
Meanwhile, Kavita saved two rounds after nearly fainting during Navratri fasting. She plans to borrow from the group’s internal loan pool.
Sundar’s husband is a Class IV government employee with a salary of around Rs 20,000, so with his comprehensive family income they have little luxury. “This winter we went to Shimla with the kids. This is our first family entertainment trip ever,” she said.
“Humne Kabhi Koi Kaam Chhota Nahi Samjha. kabhi kisi command ko isliye mana nahi kiya ki woh chhota tha. phir dheere dheere chhote command se bad command Milne Lage (usNever considered any work too small. We never refuse orders just because it is small. Then gradually start getting bigger orders). ” Sundar said.
Members of the self-help group in Haryana engage in hand-painted painting on Rohtak’s sheets on Sunday. |Photo source: Sushil Kumar Verma
National Focus
On July 28, 2024, the Prime Minister praised Unnati SHG in his monthly radio show Mann Ki Baat, noting how their bedspreads, saris and Dupattas are needed. Referring to it is a turning point. Since then, orders have doubled. “In the exhibition, people say, ‘These are sisters ModiJITalked about’,” Maita said.
Praise also silenced early critics, including Santa’s in-laws, who initially opposed her joining the organization. It was Maita who convinced Sundar Her husband asked her to work. Now, Sundar is fully supported.
The group repays the initial Rs 40,000 loan and wins space for permanent stalls in Kadi India and the Saras Gallery Store in Delhi and Hauz Khas. With higher demand, the group now plans to have its operations in the online marketplace to connect with customers across the country.
A lasting pandemic
During the COVID-19 lockdown, the group fulfilled a large number of orders from the university, government offices and local sugar mills despite a Rs 1 less commission per item.
Sundar said some women were reluctant to accept orders at the time, citing a very low commission.di Convince them. “That was a tough time. As the commands of masks continued to flow in, the women’s husbands and children began to lend a hand. As people stared at hunger and lost their jobs, these women earned Rs 600-1,000 a day and worked for several hours a day.”
Later, the committee increased to Rs 1.5 per piece, causing women to scramble to order. ”
Change of mindset
Speaking about her husband’s change in attitude towards her work, Manta shared her experience with gift bags last year on CM Saini’s plan. “We only have six days to deliver it. It seems almost impossible. My husband took me to more than a dozen villages, assigned the cloth to women, and later collected the bags. There were more than 350 women engaged. They had extra hours. Their children and husband helped them too.”
“It’s teamwork,” said Sanskrit teacher Dhanvantri. Although he couldn’t pursue Ayurveda, he proudly said that his two sons are now Ayurveda students.
Manta travels through Haryana and nearby states to attend exhibitions, sometimes ensuring batch orders. Earlier, she would send someone else, but now she prefers to go to quality control and source materials herself.
“Sometimes we get batch orders in these exhibitions. Before, I sent other women from the group, but I wasn’t happy with their performance. Now I prefer to go by myself. I also need to travel to buy fabric for orders. Baniya”.
Sundar’s husband also had inspiration. She smiled and said, “When I went to Faridabad for two days for the exhibition, he took care of the children and cooked.”
In banks, women are now in the face of financial transactions in the family. “When my husband went with me, the staff asked, ‘Are you with Maitadi? ” she said, laughing as her peers joined.
((Edited by Sunalini Matthew)
publishing – May 10, 2025 at 08:56 pm ist
