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Sector: Community Based Livelihood (Non
Farm)
Sudesh thought she had everything, including the
perfect married life. She was happy in the home
of in-laws and took full responsibility for the
daily chores. One day she noticed her husband
was having a difficult time walking and asked
him about his health. He ignored her questions
and continued on with his work. Surprised by his
reaction, Sudesh went to her in-laws and ask ed
them if they knew what was wrong. They told her
to keep her mouth shut and to never bother them
again. Sudesh obediently listened to the
requests of her in-laws and never brought up the
topic again. However, in the back of her mind
Sudesh constantly worried about her husband’s
condition and could not understand why everyone
was being so secretive.
This was just the beginning of a series of
difficulties that Sudesh would encounter. Her
in-laws started to mistreat her and verbally
abuse her. Her brother in-law would curse and
degrade her until she would break down into
tears. Not knowing what to do, Sudesh turned to
her husband and begged him to make the abuse
stop. He once again ignored her pleas and told
her to keep quiet. Sudesh felt alone and feared
her new family. She continued to perform her
duties and endured the mistreatment. However,
one day Sudesh overheard her in-laws whispering
in the next room. She stopped her chores and
listened to what they were saying. She kept
hearing her name but could not make out what
else they were talking about. Finally, she
realized that her husband and in-laws were
planning her murder. Sudesh’s heart stopped and
she secretly packed her bags and left her
husband and his family.
With no money and only the few possessions she
had, Sudesh went to her parent’s home. They were
shocked by what had happened but told Sudesh to
try and reconcile with her in-laws. But Sudesh’s
in-laws never tried to contact her and soon she
and her husband got a divorce.
Sudesh, unable to provide for herself, decided
to start working. She joined CORD’s Community
Based Rehabilitation sector and worked for four
years. She enjoyed interacting with local
villagers and had the strong inner desire to
help others. Sudesh’s parents on the other hand
were worried about their daughter living alone
and providing for herself. Her brothers were
insistent on Sudesh marrying as soon as possible
because they did not want an unmarried sister
bringing shame to their family name. They
decided on her behalf to have her re-married to
a man in Delhi. Within two days, her marriage
was completed in court. Sudesh had no say in the
situation and desperately wanted to continue her
work at CORD. But her pleading was of no use and
she was married off for the second time.
 Like
her first marriage any signs of a happy married
life were short lived. Sudesh found out that her
husband already had a wife and was involved in
many other extra-marital relationships. Shocked
and on the brink of suicide, Sudesh had lost all
hope. She felt helpless and had no one to turn
to this time. Her married life was once again
full of lies and deceit and she could no longer
bare the pain. Fortunately, a CORD worker who
had found out about Sudesh’s condition reached
out to her. At this point, Sudesh had no money
and was living on the daily wages she earned
doing miscellaneous tasks. The CORD worker
encouraged her to get sewing training at the
center. Sudesh agreed and knew this might be the
only way to better her condition. She took her
training very seriously and learned how to make
salwar kameez (traditional Indian clothing for
women) and bags. The training not only taught
Sudesh how to sew but helped her gain back the
confidence she had lost. She grew gradually and
her skills were refined over several phases of
training. Soon Sudesh started buying raw
materials and making high quality bags and
clothing. She opened a bank account and saved
money so she could expand her business.
Today, Sudesh works at Guru Dhara, a Self Help
Group store run by women. She takes orders and
teaches young girls how to sew so that they can
earn their livelihood. She is currently teaching
in the villages of Ujjain Virta and Bodard Balla
in the district of Kangra. Her goal is to help
women become self sufficient so that no one will
ever be in the helpless position she was once
in. This once down trodden woman stands
confidently before her class and helps them
become authors of their own fate.
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