“Being the reason behind my parent’s happiness is a true blessing”; shares 15 year old Puja Tharu. Born and brought up in a community where sons are preferred to daughters, being a girl child was tough for the Tharu family. The community did not let the Tharu family live in peace as Puja was their only daughter. They asked the family to see traditional healers, try herbs, medicines and what not.
Life was tough for the family. Her father worked as a farmer while her mother looked after the family. Puja was loved by her parents and her grandparents. They fulfilled every wish of Puja and were brought with love and care. It was the society that questioned her mother and blamed her. “I used to get very angry at such comments made by my relatives and neighbors but my mother always told to be to calm as every person has its day to shine”; she shares.
Puja was a good student at school. She knew her parents had worked hard to fulfill her wishes and wanted to give them back in return. “I wanted to support my parents. Especially my mother who has always been the strongest person I have ever known”; Puja shares.
Joining the Sangarsah SAMVAD Center turned out to be the best decision Puja had made. She was able to capture a lot of knowledge regarding various social issues in her community. She feels proud that she and her SAMVAD friends were able to discuss the issue of gender disparity in the society. “Our plays, door to door campaigns helped to discuss the social evils like dowry, child marriage in open. We also were able to spread awareness and be a part of minimizing and ending these acts”; she shares. Among many lessons learnt at the Center, Puja’s mind was stuck on the need of being “independent” as a woman. She understood that being independent of husband, son, in-laws, and parents will only make the female more vulnerable and weak. Thus she decided to talk about this to her parents. Upon discussing with her family, she decided to take NRS 10,000 from her SAMVAD Center in terms of IGA support to start a fish farming business.
They had a piece of land where they were farming. The family decided to start the fishery business. So far the family has sold 4 quintals of fish in the market. “We sell fish at the cost of NRS 180 per kilogram”; shares Parvati, Puja’s mother. They have a profit of NRS 50,000 so far. “The money earned is used for family expenses as well as we are saving for her future”; her mother shares. The fishery business requires less time and effort compared to seasonal farming. Her parents are proud of their daughter who has shown them a path to earn.
“I feel happy when I see my parents happy. The people who used to pass negative comments today tell my mother that she is lucky to have a daughter like me”; she shares with a laugh. The family plans to extend the business soon. They are still understanding the market and getting in touch with dealers and sellers. They want to start another pond of fishery soon. As of Puja she wants to study and become a business woman. She wants to be independent and strong to be able to provide a good lifestyle for her parents who deserve it.
She has proven that girls and boys are equally capable when they are provided with opportunities and one should be able to grab it and make the most of it on time.
