Sonadei Nag’s journey from abandonment to empowerment showcases the transformative power of women’s collectives. Through SHG support, agriculture, and entrepreneurship, she overcame societal barriers to secure a future for her children, inspiring her entire community to thrive.
Women in Indian society are assigned complex, multiple roles, accompanied by expectations to fulfill them silently, often without protest and sometimes against their own wishes.
Even her husband’s house, where she lives after marriage, ceases to belong to her if she is separated from him or if he abandons her. This raises a difficult question: What truly belongs to her, and how is she expected to survive in society?
During my time as a development executive with PRADAN (a civil society organisation), I met Sonadei, a Dhurwa tribal woman for the first time during an orientation session we were conducting to form Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission in Kakalgur village, a remote and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected area of Darbha block in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh.
She stood at the back, quietly listening, and was the second-last woman to join the group that day after so much hesitation. At the time, she seemed weighed down by her circumstances. Her husband had left her three years earlier, and she had returned to her parental home with her three children, hoping for support.
But her brothers refused to take responsibility, leaving her with no one to rely on.
Also Read: How these rural women shatter stereotypes
Though she was emotionally shattered, she resolved to fight for her children’s future. To survive, she worked as a daily labourer in paddy fields and collected forest produce such as tamarind, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and incense to sell at the local market.
Each day brought new challenges, and meals were often humble – rice with leafy vegetables from the forest or pulses when she could afford them.
Still, she felt the sharp sting of loneliness, especially during emergencies when she lacked support, whether for medical expenses or something as simple as new clothes for her children.
As we worked with women like Sonadei to form SHGs, it became clear that these groups were not just financial tools but also powerful support networks. Through her SHG named Munga Phool, Sonadei attended training on savings, inter-loaning, and her basic rights.
For the first time, she opened a bank account, both for herself and her group’s savings, and discovered the empowerment that comes from financial independence.
When her child fell ill, she borrowed Rs 2,200 from the SHG for treatment, which she later repaid. She also accessed the SHG’s bank credit linkage and used Rs 5,000 to purchase mahua (Non Timber Forest Produce). Within two months, she earned a profit of Rs 7,200 from selling them, a significant achievement that boosted her confidence.
Encouraged by this success, she ventured into poultry rearing. We guided her through the process, ensuring her hens were vaccinated and de-wormed through the village’s pashu sakhi (livestock volunteer). Thanks to this care, none of her 12 hens died, and she sold them for Rs 300 each, adding Rs 3,600 to her income.
Agriculture became another area where she excelled. She had previously earned Rs 3,200 from a modest investment of Rs 250 in cowpea cultivation after getting residential training on low-cost horticulture cultivation technology and pest management from our organisation.
Motivated by this, she took a loan of Rs 1,400 from her SHG to invest in bitter gourd cultivation and a nutrition garden.
Though landless, Sonadei boldly asked her brothers and mother for a piece of homestead land. With input from the village’s agri-entrepreneur and guidance from our agriculture trainer, she followed best practices step by step.
Also Read: Claiming the streets: SHGs, women and public spaces
So far, she earned Rs 13,800 from bitter gourd sales, and more is expected from the next harvest. With this income, she was excited to buy a saree and new clothes for her children for the upcoming Diwali festival.
Sonadei’s journey is not unique. Sixty-three other women from her village have followed her example, forming a vegetable cultivation cluster specialising in bitter gourd. Through their collective efforts, they have transformed the identity of the community.
An area that was once known for the influence of the Maoist movement is now recognised as a hub for agricultural innovation, led by women.
Beyond agriculture, the women have begun actively participating in Gram Sabha meetings, advocating for jobs under the MGNREGA scheme and presenting their collective demands.
They have taken on the responsibility of inspecting anganwadis and schools to ensure better implementation of the ICDS programme. With growing trust in modern healthcare, they now visit the nearby primary health centre for medical needs, moving away from superstitious practices. They are also caring for pregnant women and raising awareness about menstrual health.
Their collective spirit shines during their annual event, celebrated like a fair with sports and cultural activities, where they invite the men of their panchayat to join. The women’s achievements have earned them praise from their male counterparts, reflecting the growing respect for their leadership and community contributions.
Sonadei’s story is about much more than income generation. It captures the daily struggles of a single mother defying societal norms to secure a better future for her children.
Each day brings new challenges, but her resolve remains firm. Her journey serves as an inspiring example for women who find themselves abandoned or widowed, proving that they, too, can overcome adversity.
Sonadei’s success is not just personal. It reflects a broader transformation, as the women now engage in agriculture, local governance, healthcare, and social initiatives. Together, they’ve redefined leadership and challenged traditional norms.
Also Read: Tharu women revive their craft towards financial freedom
The lead image on top depicts Sonadei Nag, a Dhurwa tribal woman from Bastar who persevered to make a better future for herself and her children. (Photo by Dhanamali Mahananda)
Dhanamali Mahananda is currently posted as Assistant Director in the Directorate of Treasuries and Inspection, Bhubaneswar (Odisha).
