Out in a beautiful world- Nagalaxmi

Nagalaxmi never ventured out of the house for the fear of being mocked at by the people of her village. She had a hunchback and a sad enough reason to isolate herself even as she was rebuked by her parents on several occasions.

While Nagalaxmi's siblings went to school, she never dared and merely dreamt of accompanying her peers for a movie or an outing.

Life could not have been crueler for a terribly bored and disillusioned Nagalaxmi, when ActionAid's partner NGO (help group), Narendra Foundation offered her help. Naganna from the help group met Nagalaxmi during a survey being conducted for the disabled.

It was only Naganna's adamant stand and constant persuasion that convinced Nagalaxmi to attend PWD-SHG meetings that were to discuss various government schemes available for the disabled.

This one step encouraged her to undergo repeated training programmes with leadership and self-esteem themes organized by Narendra Foundation. The once timid and shy Nagalaxmi now leads her group, “Sanga”. With a new zest for life and dollops of self confidence, a girl, who, never once stepped out of her house participates in programmes in Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Stories like Nagalaxmi's are an eye-opener for all those discriminated and discouraged individuals, who give up without even trying. Today she earns a living and even contributes an income to her family.