The year is 2018; Shanti Devi and her husband, Ramesh Bhuiyan, travelled to distant Banaras from Kita village, located in the Peshrar block of Lohardaga. Like many others from their state, they are annual migrants to the far away brick kilns.
“Bhatte par dhoop mein kaam karna padta tha aur apne bacchon par dhyan nahi de pati thi. Andar ye bhi dar lagta tha ki bacchon ko kuch chot nahi lag jayein.” [We had to work under the scorching sun at the brick kiln, and we were not able to pay attention to our children. I also felt scared regarding the safety of my children] – Shanti Devi
Shanti Didi no longer migrates to work in brick kilns. Her children go to school and also to a tuition – ‘worth ₹600 per month”- she proudly says. The family has bought new mattresses and a fan and recently got an electricity connection and a functional bulb.
In 2018, Shanti Devi enrolled in The/Nudge Institute’s Economic Inclusion Program [EIP]. She now generates sufficient income through agricultural activities like vegetable cultivation in her kitchen garden and rearing livestock. Shanti Devi’s husband, Ramesh’s confidence in her has grown. She can now manage things independently, he says. Although he occasionally migrates, the nature of the migration has shifted to safer, shorter distances within the state.
Shanti broke an endless cycle of poverty. With courage and support, she found purpose and prosperity closer to home. Her resilience lit the path to stability.
Note: In order to ensure the confidentiality of the program participants, their names have been changed.
