55-year old widow shows way to success

Gurgaon, Apr 16 (UNI) At 55, when most women practically give up everything in life, she is producing organic fertilizers and medicinal plants for sale and even looking after her family.

''Kaam karne mein bahut ruchi hai, aur bhi bahut kuch sikhungi (I love working. I will learn many more things),'' says this woman from Badshahpur village of the district someone whenever advises her to sit at home.

Santosh, a poor widow, had lost her husband some years ago. Then she decided to shoulder the responsiblity of running the family despite having sons and daughters-in-law who are capable of taking on this responsibility. She turned her five-acre farm to the best possible use for growing medicinal plants and producing organic manure which she sells to farmers.

She has proudly displayed a board 'Rasayn mukt kheti' (organic farming) at the entrance of her house. She has brought out her own visiting cards and has also circulated a hand bill on 'Santosh Prakritic Upay Kendra'.

Santosh's life underwent a change about one and a half years back when a representative of an NGO (SNS foundation) approached her and persuaded her to become a member of NABARD's Self Help Group (SHG).

A new SHG 'Nav Durga' was then formed in the village and Santosh became its member.

She started saving regularly Rs 50 per month in the beginning and Rs 100 per month later. She then went for a training in vermicompost at Kurukshetra which was arranged by the NGO.

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