After Losing Her Father At A Very Young Age, Laboni Shouldered The Responsibility Of Her Family

Delhi: 21-year-old Laboni Baidya, a resident of Katapukuria village in Kolkata took charge of her family, defied all the odds and changed the course of her life and that of her family's. Nine years ago, Laboni wasbusy enjoying her life, studying and playing with her friends, like any 12-year-old. But life came to a standstill with the sudden demise of her father. Laboni's father left her with her two elder siblings, in the care of their mother. The death of her father not only took away her childhood, but alsoput a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders. Laboni's mother being the only bread earner had to work for long-hours as a farm labour in others people's farms. Her meager earnings were insufficient to meet the basic needs of a family of four. Given the economic conditionof her family, Laboni, the youngest of them all, dropped out of schooland started taking chargeof the household chores along with her siblings.

Inclined towards sewing since childhood, Laboni's uncle helped her purchase a second hand sewing machine. Pursuing her hobby, Laboni started learning and practising sewing at home. And then she joined USHA Silai School programme in 2015.

Under USHA Silai School programme, Laboni not only honed her sewing skills, but also learned new techniques and styles. From learning about the basics of stitching garments like churidar, salwar, kurta, and patialato learning new stitching techniques and fashionable styles like different kind of blouses, hand stitching, Laboni learned it all from the professionals.

Determined to uplift her economic condition and provide a better life to her family, Laboni turned her hobby into her profession and opened her own sewing school in 2016. Since then she has trained 20 women and is currently training seven girls to stitch. Today, Laboni has a steady monthly income of Rs 5,000.

She was also shortlisted to be part of the team of 32 USHA Silai School women to work on the fashion label with professional fashion designers. This design label, launched at the Lakme Fashion Week 2018 will be sold at multiple outlets across the country.

Content in her new and improved life, Laboni plans to resume her studies andchase her dream of getting a government job. She believes this willhelp her support her family better than she currently does.

Also Read: Here Is How A Sewing Machine, Training And Sheer Perseverance Made E. Iruthayamary, Financially Independent