Internet Saathi unwrapped Puspalata’s way to Success!
Got married when I was just 21, but my woes started when my husband migrated to Bhubaneswar for the Security Guard job in a private company and I was not allowed to go outside the home because of the traditional barriers” – says Puspalata. Living with her two children and in-laws in Barda village of Cuttack Sadar, she had to struggle for 13 years to come out of the customary hurdle and to get connected with the digital world.
With a very low income of her husband, it was quite difficult for her to run the home. Meanwhile, Puspalata didn’t have any alternative engagement except doing the household chores. However, every day she was dreaming for an opportunity to become self-dependent. In the meantime, she became a mother of two kids – a daughter and a son. Life became more difficult with new motherhood responsibilities.
Fortunately, she had learned the skills of tailoring and stitching of ladies garments. Without thinking much she started tailoring work getting orders from her neighbors and relatives to supplement her household income. But, her products were of old-fashion and traditional one, owing to which those were not appreciated by everybody. With meager income, she could not provide her family a better standard of living. However, she was in search of a learning platform to upgrade her skill base and to get connected with more people.
One fine morning, she came to know about the Internet Saathi programme launched by CYSD. “I can’t forget the moment when I got selected for an Internet Saathi and that was a great turning point of my life”, said Puspalata, when asked about her transformation. Through Internet Saathi Programme, she learnt the use and benefits of the internet. Now, she is visiting to different villages of her cluster and meeting different women. “Learning new garment designs from internet, upgrading her skills to cope with the modern fashion have helped Puspalata connecting with number of women to get good stitching orders; and her dress designs are at par with those stitched in Bhubaneswar & Cuttack cities”, says Mamata one of the beneficiaries of Puspalata’s village.
Now, Puspalata is the proud owner of one tailoring machine and earning Rs.3000 per month. When Puspalata was asked, what she would do with her extra earning money from Internet Saathi and stitching, she replied “I will make arrangement of milk and clothes for my in-laws and children” with tears in her sparkling eyes. “I will train another 4 to 5 girls so that my stitching business can grow and the trained girls will be able to earn in a dignified way”.
Puspalata is one of the active Saathies in the Cuttack Sadar Block. Very committed and passionate of her work. “Internet Saathi has brought smile on the face of our family” – said Saisa, her daughter while learning to solve a problem in Mathematics from YouTube.
The woes of rural artisans of both coconut cluster and Pattachitra with the effect of cyclone FANI is still a concern. The first-hand visit of CYSD team to the artisans’ clusters of Puri district witnessed the major craft that suffered the wrath of cyclone was coconut coir craft and Pattachitra along with the handloom textiles. With a view to get a clear picture of loss occurred by cyclone, a team of five representatives led by ‘Kala Aur Katha’, having technical expertise on craft sector, visited the Pattachitra artisans affected villages of Raghurajpur, Sakhigopal, Dandasahi, Badurasahi, Chandanpur of Puri district. The team closely interacted with every Pattachitra artisans to find out their basic requirements. 
