Parvati- An Icon for Rural Women

Parvati is from Kheriya Purohit village of Deeg tehsil in Bharatpur district. Her family was solely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. Besides household chores she also helps her family in farming. However, it was difficult to make ends meet given the vagaries of nature which meant their current income was insufficient. She was worried about her children’s education and future.

LHWRF introduced Tulsi Mala program in her village through SHG which is close to a pilgrim place. Parvati joined this SHG and availed a loan of Rs. 20,000/- to start Tulsi Mala making business. LHWRF arranged a loan for her through Rashtriya Mahila Kosh(RMK). Apart from making Tulsi Mala, Parvati also set up a small grocery shop. She looks after the shop during the day and makes Tulsi mala in her spare time. With her sincerity and dedication, she began to earn Rs.5,000/- per month and her grocery shop also flourished. LHWRF extended a second loan of Rs.25,000/- through RMK to her. Today, Parvati has not only repaid both the loans on time but became an important earning member for her family. Her earnings helped the family to construct a permanent house. Her children are now assured of a good education.

Parvati has become an icon and an inspiration for other women in the village who have also taken up tulsi mala making.