As India stands at the cross-roads of change, development and urbanization; it results in widening the gap between rural and urban India. Most of the metro cities boast of a population greater than 10 million, owing to migration. This migration occurring within the nation, is referred to as, internal migration. There are several factors that lead to migration from rural to urban regions, categorized largely under ‘Push and Pull factors’. Push factors are poverty, unemployment and starvation – pushing people out of their villages. While pull factors are aspirations, better lifestyle and economic opportunities that can be availed in metro cities. In all likelihood, a combination of these two factors are at play in migration.

Anuradha is one such woman, hailing from the western district of Uttar Pradesh – Gorakhpur. Their family held rudimentary and regressive beliefs, owing to which Anuradha was married soon after she turned a teenager (15 years); leading to discontinuation in her studies. At this young and susceptible age, Anuradha had no alternative but to rely on her spouse and his family. Anuradha’s father-in-law worked in Kolkata, and they migrated to Kolkata for a better life and opportunities.

When Anuradha got pregnant, she went to Delhi as her parents had migrated to Delhi for better income. After staying in Kolkata for five years, her husband did not find the city very lucrative and beneficial. He decided to migrate to Delhi, in the hope of better income and more work. Anuradha’s husband began to assist his father-in-law in his work of carpentry. He began to earn Rs. 4000-5000 which barely helped put food on the plate, and survive in a city like Delhi. Anuradha, her husband and their children stayed along with their parents (and Anuradha’s siblings) for a long time; but as their children got older, they realized that they must save money and move out of this house.

Anuradha recognized that they cannot move out of the house unless they get an additional source of income. She, therefore, wanted to support her husband and contribute to their childrens’ future and welfare. This is when she learnt about Usha’s stitching and sewing training program for women from PARAS India. She was chosen for the 7-day residential training program wherein she received a certificate, a signboard and a sewing machine from Usha, at the end of the training. After opening up her Silai School, she mobilized women to come to her school with the help of the NGO partner. Usha’s training created a strong foundation of ‘stitching & sewing’, enabling her to build the skill further through her hard-work.

Today, Anuradha is a teacher at her Silai School and teaches 12 learners from her slum area. Hitherto a housewife and married as a child, Anuradha never gained the confidence to interact with people freely. After opening up Usha Silai School, she has undergone a transformation that has benefited her personally and professionally. The changes in her personality have been brought about due to her entrepreneurial skills.

Anuradha and her husband moved out of her parents’ house, and have built one room set with kitchen in Nand Lal Basti, Delhi. As their children were growing, it became difficult for nine people to live in one small house. They had to take a loan to build this one room house with kitchen, but it provided them immense joy, as they are living on their own for the first time. Anuradha is earning Rs 3000-4000 from her Silai school and other stitching and sewing work that she receives. She spends most of her money in her children’s education.

Anuradha’s is also part of the team that organizes ‘Kishori committees’. Kishori committees are local meetings organized at the local office of PARAS India to discuss issues being faced by these women. One of the primary objective is to hear out their problems, and other underlying objective is to inform them about their rights, entitlements and the benefits that can be availed through different government schemes, NGOs etcetera. Anuradha has ‘turned over a new leaf’ as she is not only financially independent, but is also aware about issues like – education, health, menstrual hygiene, women rights etcetera. Anuradha is more than thankful to USHA and PARAS India for the holistic development of her personality which has, in turn, empowered her in different ways. Anuradha is a change maker at heart, as she realizes the potential that lies within the women living in India. She wants to teach other women the skill of stitching and sewing as well. Usha Silai School has made her self-sufficient, and channelized her potential by teaching her a useful and sustainable skill like ‘stitching & sewing’.

“Even when it was difficult to earn two square meals a day, I dreamt and aspired to create a better life. Now, I encourage women to become financially independent, and empower themselves by channelizing their potential effectively.”

–Anuradha