She earns her bread-Phool Basan's success story

Phool Basan is a classic example of endurance and hard work.

She was six when she was married off to an agricultural labourer. After reaching puberty Phool was sent to her husband's house, who was anyway having a tough time taking care of his big family of two sisters and parents. The family starved for several days.

Least they'd wished for in such crisis, Phool became pregnant with her first child. A new born only added to endless worries in the family. The next year Phool mothered another child; and was left with no choice but to assist her husband in the fields.

Fortunately, the government was encouraging self- help groups those days. Phool was encouraged to join and form one such group called Sangha.

The group basically initiated saving schemes and had Phool's group save up to Rs 15000 in the next few months. Phool took a loan of the amount, since she was leading her group to purchase some goats. She reared them, the number of goats multiplied and Phool sold them for good money.

She instantly became a success symbol and a living example for other women.

Phool was soon noticed by the Metanin programme and elected as a Metanin by the people in her village. Her enthusiasm had her climb one level to another. It was not only health camps she organized but also learnt to diagnose malaria.

Hers is an out and out success story that narrates not only Phool's capability of becoming a successful bread earner to her family but a strong example for others in her society.