Sangita’s Shop

Sangita’s Shop

It wasn’t her shop to begin with. Sangita Devi’s husband Vipendra Pal, a daily wage worker, used to run the small grocery shop as part time to help the family meet ends. Meanwhile, 40 year old Sangita stayed at home and take care of her four daughters—oldest 17 year old and the youngest 10 year old. The family saw some tough times as it was very difficult relying on a single person’s wages. Moreover,  Vipendra’s earnings as a daily wage labourer took a hit during the lockdown and even in the months after that.

Oxfam India met the family from Mohiudinpur village in Nagar Nausa block in Nalanda through one of its project. The Oxfam India-HDFC initiative, titled ‘Project Utthan’, contributes towards the socio-economic empowerment of people from marginalised communities by aiding with sustainable livelihood options and improving access to essential services (especially women) across 15 villages in three blocks in Nalanda.

Oxfam India’s Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP) team stepped in and the couple were told about the conditional cash transfers for economic support to eligible women entrepreneurs to set up/revive/scale up their business/trade. Sangita’s eyes lit up. She told us of a lot of plans that she had made but was unable to implement it due to money constraints.

“My husband runs this shop as part time business. If I get some money I will add some cosmetic items and others ladies item. I have seen women of my village have to walk a lot to reach a cosmetics shop outside the village,” said Sangita.

With INR 12000, the financial support from HRDP, she gave the shop a new lease of life. She now calls it her shop. “I have taken this shop away from my husband,” she laughs. Sangita has decorated her shop and purchased some racks to keep the glass bangles safely.

Both Sangita and Vipendra are now contributing to the family. While Vipendra looks for work as a daily wage labourer, Sangita Devi at home runs the shop full time. She is earning INR 3000 a month through her shop.

“I am very thankful to HRDP team for giving me this money. It has ensured that I will be able to continue my children’s education and give them a better future.”

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