Gitaben now has two vegetable carts

I got a chance to meet Gitaben on my visit to Gandhidham in Gujarat. Gitaben's husband was out for selling vegetables. Her children were playing in front of their house. Gitaben's close relatives are her neighbours and they had applied for a loan together. Most of them are into vegetable-selling business.

Gitaben had received a MIlaap loan for expanding her business. I wanted to discuss its impact on her family. "My husband already had a cart. We bought a new one with the loan amount. We also purchased the initial stock. Our income has almost doubled."  I asked her how she manages work and takes care of her children. "Usually, my relatives take care of the children. But after the delivery of our second child, I decided to take a break for a few months. I plan to get back to work soon."

Gitaben and her husband sell onions and potatoes as these are in regular demand throughout the year. They procure these from a wholesale market in the city and sell these on their handcart in the city. "The profit varies depending on the demand and supply, but most of the times it's good enough. The summer months are the toughest as we have to bear the sun, which makes the vegetable-selling process quite difficult." 

I thanked her for her time as she got back to her work. ack to her work.