Meet The Entrepreneurs - Madhuri Karn

Madhuri's husband was abusive, and an alcoholic. He started beating her up the very next day after their wedding. She was 18-years-old when she married him and was perpetually living in fear of him. She moved back to her parents' home when she couldn't take it anymore. Now, she is 28-years-old and a mother to a 7-year-old boy who she's sending to a good school.

Her story in her own words: I got married 10 years ago. But my husband was violent, and harassed me for dowry. He would hit, abuse, restrain me, and even try to kill me. Somehow, I survived and escaped alive. Had I lived on there, he would have killed me.

I gave up and returned to my parents, they were so worried and sad. I was pregnant, and worried about how my old parents would take care of me and my child. I would possibly have become a farm labour. I had forgotten how to smile.

But then, I became a part of the Usha Silai School Programme.

Today, I am financially independent, I can buy whatever I or my son need. My family is living well, my child is happy and I can send him to a good school. Now I advise other women to work and become independent. And I am teaching my skill to other girls so that they never find themselves helpless, so they become independent, so they make silai their profession.

I am happy where I am today. I am independent. I rarely remember the pain and torture my husband put me through, because I am so busy with my work.