I didn’t go to school, because in our village, women and girls who went out of the house were looked down upon. I used to fetch water from the well from a very young age.
My parents worked as farm labourers. I was the oldest of six children.
When my father was not doing well at work, he sent me to my maternal grandfather’s place. Longingly I used to watch my cousin brothers go to school. Then one day my uncle enrolled me in the same school. I was 8 or 9 years old then.
At school I enjoyed reading and writing. My teachers were very good to me and recognised my capabilities.
In fact, the school refused to give me a transfer certificate when my father came to take me till he promised to enroll me in my village school. My uncles also insisted that I should continue my education.
When I attended school in our village, I’d gather other girls in my village and take them along. Some of them started attending a few classes too.
However, our village school had only up to class VIII. By the time I finished it I was 17. To continue, I would have had to go to the town which was quite far.
So my parents wanted to marry me off in the village. My grandfather intervened. He got me married to a better family when I was 18. My husband’s father was in a government job and better off financially too.
My husband and his family decided to let me stay at my parental home for two years as my husband was doing his BA. I raised two children after going to my marital home.
There was not much employment option in the village. Also, my kids were too young. So I stayed home but had that urge to do something.
When in 2013, Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI) started training people in various skills, I decided to join. I’d finish my chores at home and go for the training. I learnt to make soft toys.
After the training, I started making soft toys and then opened my own shop. Now a few women work in my shop. I’m happy that I’m giving them employment.
I always encourage women to become self-reliant.
Sawai Madhopur RSETI nominated my name for a National Award in 2018 for my work.
I am honoured to say that I was selected and received a certificate and five lakh rupees grant.
I have always believed that hard work is rewarded. It never goes waste. The need is to be honest and diligent in one’s efforts and the rest falls in place.
Read the story about Verma’s entrepreneurial venture here.
Photographs by Jaikishan Patel – Unsplash, Shoma Abhyankar, Jayesh Jalodara – Unsplash.
Reporting by Shoma Abhyankar, an independent journalist who writes on culture, heritage, food and environment.
