Differently abled groups script success stories in 2 MP villages
BUDHWA/JOLLY (JABALPUR)/BHOPAL: Overcoming prejudice, differently abled people in two villages of Jabalpur district have come together to grow and market vegetables to earn their livelihood, inspiring many in the area.
The self-help groups in Budhwa and Jolly villages, situated around 50km from district headquarters Jabalpur, include members who are visually, orthopedically and mentally challenged.
Initially, not many were sure of the groups’ success. But for the past two years, the members have been proving their detractors wrong.
Former sarpanch of Jolly village Ghanshyam Dahia was among those who thought the group would not succeed. “Initially I was skeptical but looking at their dedication, I now help them in whatever way I can,” says Dahia.
It was group members like 60-year-old Tara Bai, who lost her eyesight to small pox when she was only 10 months old, who forced people to change their minds. Tara Bai never married and confined herself to her home, doing little jobs around the house for years. But now, courtesy local NGO Tarun Sanskar that helped them form the group and provided training in horticulture, she grows and plucks vegetables and tends to the plots with ease.
“My sense of touch is strong. I can gauge the plant by the shape of the leaves and also if the vegetable is ready for plucking,” says Tara Bai. Other members sell the produce at the local markets.
“I feel good about myself as I am busy. My nephews and nieces and their children see me in a different light as I am earning now,” she says.
Rajjo Bai, who lost her eyesight about six years ago and belongs to the group in Budhwa village says, “I did not have confidence that I would be able to make money by selling vegetables. But the success of the group has given me confidence.”
Parvati Barman, of Budhwa village, who is orthopedically challenged, says: “We grow most of the seasonal vegetables and earn between ₹3,000 and ₹5,000 per season. Our families never buy vegetables.”
The economics and dynamics of the group are simple. Some members have land where they work collectively. The group also leases plots from other villagers on percentage basis.
The money each member earns depends on whether the land is theirs and how much labour they are putting in.
In both these villages, each group has around five-acre plots where they grow vegetables.
Visually impaired Sunita Bai of Jolly village says, “There has been no bank loan so far, but we are trying. Also, if we get one big plot of government land for the group, it would save a lot of energy.”
Jabalpur district collector Mahesh Choudhary is aware of the work being done by the two groups.
“Their work is inspirational and we are doing our best to remove the hurdles in their path,” he said.