Hard work and expertise can help women establish their identity: Sharon Kumar

Patna, August 11: (ABN) Aamna Khatoon, a resident of Dostiya village in Purnia block of Sheohar district, has proven the adage "where there's a will, there's a way". Once forced to suppress her skills due to financial constraints and social restrictions, Aamna has now become a symbol of self-reliance and women's entrepreneurship. Her lacquer bangle business not only earns her lakhs of rupees annually but has also created permanent employment opportunities for over two dozen women.

Before her marriage, Aamna possessed the skill of making lacquer bangles. She recounts that her life after marriage was filled with the struggle of raising four children and managing the household on a limited income. Her husband worked as a tailor in Ludhiana, making it difficult to make ends meet. However, after joining the Jeevika Self-Help Group and Bagmati Gram Sangathan in 2017, her dreams got new wings.

Inspired by the group and with the support of her husband, Aamna took her first loan of Rs 40,000 from the group in 2020. After a six-year hiatus, she resumed making lacquer bangles by purchasing raw materials from Sitamarhi. Local shopkeepers appreciated her excellent craftsmanship, and she earned a net profit of Rs 7,000 in the first instance. This success boosted her morale, and she expanded her business while repaying the loan on time. Her handmade lacquer bangles were in high demand at fairs, earning her a direct profit of Rs 70,000.

Aamna says that her home-based business has now transformed into a successful industry with an annual turnover of Rs 15-20 lakh, earning her a net profit of Rs 5-6 lakh. Her beautiful lacquer bangles are not only sold in over 25-30 shops in Sheohar and Sitamarhi but have also gained recognition in fairs across Patna, Delhi, Gurugram, Varanasi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Deoghar.

According to Jeevika authorities, Aamna has not only changed her family's fortune through her hard work but has also provided employment to 13 people in the village, including 10 women associated with Jeevika. Aamna, who has repaid 100% of the Rs 9.75 lakh loan taken from the group, is now determined to take her business to the international level with a new investment of Rs 20-25 lakh. Her journey, which began from a humble start, has become a source of inspiration for millions of women in Bihar.

Congratulating Aamna on her success and extending good wishes, Rural Development and Public Relations Minister Mr. Shravan Kumar said that by joining Jeevika, lakhs of rural women are writing their own destiny and rapidly moving towards self-reliance. The government is providing full support to various groups through Jeevika. I extend my good wishes to Aamna Khatoon, associated with the lacquer bangle business, and hope that other women will also establish their identity through their skills and hard work, inspired by her.