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