Like many women in rural Uttar Pradesh, Preeti Khushwaha was forced to cut short her studies at a young age due to family compulsions. Discontinuing her studies remained a big regret for 36-year-old Preeti and she felt that because of the lack of education, she would never be able to do anything more with her life. Her family married her off at the age of 18 years after which, as a wife, she was expected to restrict herself to running the household, have children and manage the survival of the family with the meagre income of her husband. She was not allowed to step out the house and work. But she had other dreams which motivated her to break the rules and take the charge of improving her life and the life of her family. She defied societal pressures and with her husband's cooperation she learnt stitching. She now runs a USHA Silai school, imparting skills to many girls and women living in and around her village.
While talking to NDTV about her journey from fighting for survival to becoming a Master Trainer, Preeti, who lives in Mustafabad village of Bangarmau block in Unnao, Uttar Pradesh said,
I was very young when my father was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. He was already earing very less, just Rs. 2,200 per month but his disease took a bigger toll on my family's situation. My elder brother and I had to give up our education in order to save money being spent on our studies and take up petty jobs to contribute to the household and ensure treatment for my father and the continuation of the education of our three younger siblings. We were facing terrible financial crisis. However, I still regret discontinuing my education even though back then it was needed to be done.
As she turned 18-years-old, Preeti's father decided to get her married but her life was not easy even after the marriage. Her husband had an unstable job and finances were always a worry. Preeti said,
My husband's family was also facing financial crisis. I remember, me, my husband and my two children were basically dependent on the mercy of others. I used to be scared for the future and always used to feel that I have to do something to change the future of my family. But, I used to be very scared too because I couldn't even complete my education, and so who would give me work and how would I earn.
Somehow, Preeti managed to complete intermediate education in 2010, about five years after finishing high-school. While talking about her passion for education, Pradeep Kushwaha, her elder brother said,
After moving out we realized how important education is. Preeti was keen about education and so we filled private examination form. I tried to I helped her in every way that I could and the results were amazing. She cleared all her exams!
In 2011, that she met a volunteer at a local NGO (Non-Governmental Organisation) that was implementing a livelihood programme in the village. She got a chance to attend the orientation conducted by that NGO where she got to know about USHA Silai School. This gave her some hope of fulfilling her dream of having a better life with her husband and children. She registered herself for a 7-day residential training from USHA International Limited.
The next challenge that came her way was to convince her husband and parents-in-law to let her participate in the training. Preeti recalls,
Being from a very conservative background, my family rejected the idea of their daughter-in-law staying somewhere outside the house, with a bunch of strange women, even if was for some skill training. It took a lot of convincing from me but at least my husband agreed to let me take a chance. He even helped me in my endeavour. I will always be thankful to him for this.
A married woman leaving her house for work for a week may not sound like a big deal in cities, but in rural Uttar Pradesh it was nothing short of a revolution. After a week that was spent being trained in sewing, stitching, embroidery and tailoring, Preeti returned to her village armed with a sewing machine certificate, signage board, syllabus book and a service manual from the Usha international Limited. She was all set to start the first Silai school in her village.
At this point in her life, she faced next big challenge- Convincing the families in her village to let their daughters and daughters-in-law to learn stitching from her and help them earn an income of their own. She said,
I returned from my training excited to impart what I learnt to other women and girls in the village. But there were no takers initially. I was crushed. But I did not let my disappointment end my dream. Even though I was heartbroken by the lack of response, I decided that I would do what it takes to convince people.
Preeti also started stitching clothes for others in her village. Soon she got three students to join her tailoring school. And as the news spread through word of mouth, by the end of the year she had 30 students. Preeti said,
It was not easy at times I used to fall sick but I had that passion to do something in life. I am the first woman in my family and in my village, who has started her own business.
In 2019, Preeti got selected for Indian Quilting workshop held in Chennai where she mastered hand quilting.
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In March 2019 she opened a new School on rent at Takia, Bangarmau, Unnao which is approximately 10 kilometre far from her village. Preeti did not stop with just the Silai School. She wanted to scale up her work and generate employment for others. She said,
Now, I have purchased a place where I am going to build a big hall so that at least 10 to 12 people can work there with me. For a long time in my life, I had struggled for money. So, I want to create opportunities for women who are struggling as I did. They can come and work with me.
Her newfound confidence and skill has also earned respect in the village. Now her both children had got admission in a good school and she is able to give additional tuition fees for their studies.
So far, Preeti has trained over 500 women from her village and about 1,000 from the nearby villages. Five of her students have opened their own Silai schools in the nearby villages. Today on an average she teaches 24 students every day. She has five sewing machines in her school where she teaches a variety of stitching skills from basic garments to embroidery. She also earns good amount from stitching suit, frock, and other garments for ladies. Overall, her monthly income now is over Rs. 20,000 for which she thanks USHA International. While signing off, Preeti said,
I am so grateful to USHA and all the teachers of USHA Silai School who have helped be become financially independent and live a better life. They have supported and motivated me so much. My husband, who has been so kind and supportive to me at every step, has been my big strength over the years. He gave me the confidence to go out and make a career of my own. I am glad that I am able to help others too in their struggles.
Also Read: With 3,500 New Silai Schools In The State, USHA And West Bengal Government Uplift Thousands Of Women
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