Ajit Panda has an inspiring story about a brave mother in a small Odisha village who upgraded her skills to better her family’s prospects. Jagnyaseni’s story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, determination and the pursuit of opportunities can lead to remarkable change
In the remote village of Tetelpada in Budhidarha Panchayat in Odisha’s Kalahandi District lives Jagnyaseni Bag, a mother of four who has faced and conquered significant challenges to secure a better future for her family. Jagnyaseni’s life is a testament to resilience and determination.
Theirs is a family of six – Jagnyaseni and her husband have three daughters and a son. Two years ago, their situation was bleak. The eldest daughter, Urbashi, had just completed her Plus-Two exams and dreamed of pursuing higher education. However, financial constraints made it impossible to afford the admission fees. “We were devastated,” recalls Jagnyaseni. “She had to discontinue her studies as we couldn’t arrange the needed amount. She cried, but when she saw us depressed, she consoled us and said time would change our situation.”
A digital literacy training programme organised by Karrtabya helped her enhance
her tailoring skills.
Determined not to let her siblings face the same fate, Urbashi joined her parents as a labourer. Her sacrifice ensured that her younger siblings could continue their education. Meanwhile, the family’s three acres of land provided food for only a quarter of the year, leaving daily wage labour as their primary means of subsistence. Even the younger children contributed, working during school vacations to support the household.
Despite these hardships, Jagnyaseni remained hopeful. She believed that with the will to change, their situation would improve. This belief began to materialise when Urbashi discovered an opportunity to train as a nurse, free of cost. Without hesitation, she pursued it and was accepted into a two-year government-sponsored programme that not only provided training but also a stipend. She has now completed the first year.
With Urbashi’s future on a promising path, Jagnyaseni turned her attention to her own growth. Although she had basic skills in tailoring, her earnings were minimal – between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000 a month. That changed when a volunteer from Karrtabya, an NGO supported by Reliance Foundation focused on empowering people through digital literacy, reached out to her. Jagnyaseni participated in a digital literacy training programme organised by Karrtabya and learned how to leverage platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp to enhance her tailoring skills and business acumen.
With the help of YouTube online tutorials and subscriptions to tailoring channels, she acquired knowledge of contemporary designs, trends and customer preferences. She began to create new, stylish garments, especially for women and girls, who previously had to travel to Junagarh to access such services. By sharing updates and pictures of her work through WhatsApp, Jagnyaseni established a loyal customer base, built on timely delivery, seamless communication, and exceptional customer service. As a result, her tailoring shop, once limited to alteration and repair services for villagers, has become a go-to destination for bespoke clothing.
Jagnyaseni’s average monthly income has increased to Rs 6,500-7,000, enabling her to better support the education expenses of her children. Confident in her abilities, she has diversified her income streams by adding a fancy store to her business. Her story is a powerful reminder that even in the face of adversity, determination and the pursuit of opportunities can lead to remarkable change. Her journey is not just about survival but about thriving and ensuring a better future for the next generation. Through courage and perseverance, Jagnyaseni has transformed her life and become a beacon of hope for her community, showing that with the right support and a strong will, anything is possible.
(The writer is a photojournalist based in Bhubaneswar.)
from Webdoux