In a small picturesque village nestled between rolling hills and lush fields lived a young girl named Radhika.She lived with his father,mother and two younger brothers.Her father was growing vegetables in his field for a living.He sold his vegetables in the town twenty kilometres away from his village.He didn’t earn a lot from it yet he managed the house providing two full meals a day to all and was able to send his children to the village high school.They were happy as they had mutual respect, shared values and unwavering support for each other.
The village was known for its rich tradition and vibrant culture.Though thre men-folk mostly worked in the fields growing paddy,millet, vegetables ,women at home did crafts like crochet, embroidery and dolls to sell in the market.Radhika’s mother was no exception.She had learned the art of making ornaments with beads from her mother and grandmother.After finishing her household chores ,she used to make ornaments.Radhika since childhood was watching her ma giving shapes to beads through threads and making amazing nose rings,bracelets and necklaces ,so after finishing her home works from school she sat near her mother and helped her in making the items.Her love for this art made her learn and make bracelets and rings initially.As she grew up and when she was in the final year of school she had already mastered the art.
She cleared her 10th board exams with a good percentage but her parents didn’t want to admit her to a college in a distant town.Her father said,”no need to read further.Its time to find a suitable boy from our village to get her married.If she reads more it would be very difficult to find a groom.” Her mother approved the decision of her husband.
Radhika kept quiet.She knew how some girls in her village after getting higher education couldn’t get married and had stayed single, living with the complainant parents.She thought of Sudha and Sundari.How bored they feel only cooking,cleaning the utensils and sweeping floors .Their only job was to help their mothers in kitchen and feed others,specially fathers and brothers.
So she took the decision .Let my father get me away by giving me in marriage,but I should pursue a career and earn, not going out of the house but staying with the husband and his family at home.She would make ornaments and that endeavour would be the medium of bringing the satisfaction in her,
Her father found a boy for her.His family depended on agriculture for earning,but the boy having a minimal education ,was able to establish a variety shop in the nearby town of his own.It was a blessing in disguise for Radhika.She asked her husband to provide her with different size of beads with varied colours.He listened to his wife and ordered them at a whole seller in the city.
Radhika’s happiness knew no bound.She thanked God for blessing her with an understanding husband.Radhika started making chains and necklesses.She gave Harish ,her husband,her products to sell them in his shop.Women who frequently came there to purchase talcum powder,soaps and lipsticks started to purchase Radhika’s products.With passing time ,the demands of her ornaments rose and thereby the income.Orders came in large scale.Radhika had to work whole day.
Harish thought of getting a full-time helper at home to cook and do other things, so that his wife found time.He with the help of his close friend Gopal could find a poor middle aged woman who was abandoned by her husband.She had nobody to look after her and she was desperately looking for a house where she could work and get food and shelter.When she came to their house, Radhika found enough time to pursue her passion, making undisturbed.
There at the shop Harish found many new customers who have heard about the beautiful ornaments.One day to his utter surprise.a big car stopped near his Variety Shop.A sophisticated smart lady approached him and asked,” I have heard about the beautiful bead ornaments in your shop.Let me have a look.”
Harish with much excitement showed some pieces.
“Where from you get these? I mean where from you buy these ?”
Harish fumbled, ” I don’t buy these from anyone madam.My wife Radhika makes it at home.”
“O my goodness!!! Such a wonderful wife you have.She is so artistic. Would you mind if I meet her personally?”
“No madam,not at all,blurted Harish . Rather Radhika would love it.”
“Then please sit in my car and take me to your house.” By that time an enquisitive crowd had gathered around the car.
Overwhelmed in happiness Harish said, “Madam wants to go to my house to meet my wife.”
The crowd dispersed and the car moved on.Harish inwardly thought his fortune had started moving forward.
The lady owned a famous boutique in the city.It was renowned for the rustic items she displayed for sale, collected from different parts of India,dresses, jwellery and all.
She had foreign buyers and there by earning a lot .She had artisans all over the country,whom she supplied materials to make aesthetic things.
She discussed with Radhika to make ornaments for her shop.She made a contract with Radhika and Harish agreed.
She gave a huge amount in advance to purchasing beads and asked Radhika to make one hundred necklaces and deliver them within fifteen days.She was expecting foreign tourists soon,
Radhika thought that to deliver so much jwellery in a span of two weeks, she needed helping hands.So
she requested Sudha and Sundari to help her in her business.She also promised to give good salary. Both of them accepted the offer happily.
This way the village girl Radhika became an entrepreneur.Not only she became affluent she also helped many girls in getting employment in her venture.
