The tale of unconditional love and ever growing prosperity

After a series of surprising events that morning, we arrived outside the house of Mamtaj Bibi. Unlike the other houses, this house seemed to have a different vibe. A corner house, well lit, made with mud and stats that were beautifully put in various designs and a door-less entrance! While I stood there admiring the beauty of the mild sun rays falling on this cottage-like house, Mamtaj came from inside her house to welcome us. Her adamant decision to not let her guests sit in the heat made us all sit together on the extended platform in the front. I stood next to Mamtaj who was accompanied by her daughter and a small child. Looking at the naughty boy, I asked his name. “Shaheen”, he replied. He was Mamtaj’s youngest son who goes to ‘anganwadi school’ (the nursery schools in rural India). She has four children. Her eldest daughter was married and the eldest son was married to Salima, who stood at the doorstep of the kitchen trying to secretly see what is happening. Salima was shy and blushed every time she was asked to come outside. She worked with Mamtaj in her ‘aari embroidery’ micro-enterprise. Mamta’s younger daughter, Jhumma,  studies in class eight. She is also an active participant in the business. Mamtaj began the enterprise seven to eight years ago. They weave patches of various designs that are then sold  to the wholesalers in various markets across the village and even in Kolkata. The designs made are of fine quality and clearly show the artist in them. These are used thereafter to make the designer sarees, lehengas, suits and a variety of other garments. Her Business allows her to earn Rs. 6,000- Rs. 7,000 a month approximately.

While we were still busy talking to one another, Mamtaj’s husband entered the house from the back entrance. He worked at a poultry farm and had just returned to have an afternoon’s break. Their eldest son also worked with his father at the farm. Together they made Rs. 4,000 - Rs. 5,000 a month. The family’s tight bonding was evident from their light-hearted conversations with one another. They were all each other's emotional and financial strength. Everyone in the family gave in their best to make each other’s life journey more meaningful.

Mamtaj showed me the piece of embroidery that she was recently working on along with her daughter and her daughter in law. The beauty of the work made me appreciate her immensely. Although, it was even more appreciable to see her pass on the credit to the two ladies who sat next to her and all the others in her family. Mamta said to me, "They all support me and that's what has made me come this far." Her genuine eyes showed just what she had said in words. Her family was the reason why she worked so hard and they were also the reason how she could work so hard! The beautiful moments I spent with Mamtaj and her family will remain captured in my memory always. I waved them all bye and thanked the for the warm welcome.