Ajmeri Khatoon: Empowered by Bihar Govt Schemes under CM Nitish Kumar, Turning Adversity into Opportunity in Hariharpur Kala

Eight years ago, Ajmeri Khatoon married Salauddin Hamari and started a new chapter in her life in the village of Hariharpur Kala. The couple enjoyed four years of marital bliss before tragedy struck: Salauddin was suddenly paralyzed, rendering him disabled in one leg and unable to work. This unforeseen calamity plunged their once-happy family into a severe livelihood crisis.

Ajmeri's family, including her three children and elderly in-laws, faced a bleak future with no stable income. The family struggled to make ends meet, relying on Ajmeri's occasional labor in fields and homes. Some nights, they went to bed hungry, their circumstances exacerbated by their lack of property, farmland, and a proper home.

In 2020, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar Government’s various schemes started making a real difference on the ground. Ajmeri's fortunes began to change when Ekta Gram Sangathan, under the Sustainable Livelihood Scheme, selected her during a Community Resource Person (CRP) drive. This selection marked the beginning of a transformative journey for Ajmeri. With the organization's support, she received Rs. 20,000 worth of cosmetics to start a business, along with Rs. 7,000 from the Livelihood Generation Fund (LGF) for seven months and Rs. 10,000 from the Special Investment Fund.

Ajmeri began her entrepreneurial journey by selling cosmetics, gradually earning enough to buy a sewing machine. Leveraging her sewing skills, she taught her husband the craft, allowing them to work together. Their combined efforts soon led to the opening of a small grocery shop at their home. As their businesses grew, Ajmeri invested in four goats, a number that has since grown to eleven.

Today, Ajmeri Khatoon runs five businesses: selling cosmetics, operating a grocery shop, sewing, raising goats, and sharecropping. Her entrepreneurial spirit and resilience have transformed her family's financial situation. With total assets amounting to Rs. 1,17,804 and a monthly income of Rs. 10,000 to 12,000, Ajmeri has built a two-room house and purchased essential household items, including a bicycle for her daughter.

Ajmeri’s journey from despair to stability showcases the power of determination and community support. Her success not only ensures a better quality of life for her family but also inspires others in her village. Ajmeri dreams of opening a large wholesale grocery store for her husband and providing her children with a quality education, enabling them to build successful futures.

Ajmeri Khatoon’s story is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with resilience and support, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome. Her perseverance and resourcefulness serve as an inspiration to many, proving that dreams can be achieved through hard work and determination.

Ajmeri’s success story exemplifies the effective implementation of Bihar Government’s initiatives under CM Nitish Kumar, aimed at empowering individuals and fostering socio-economic development. The impact of these schemes is evident in Ajmeri’s journey from hardship to prosperity, highlighting the government's commitment to uplifting the needy and transforming lives at the grassroots level.