Manjulata, a tribal girl of 19 years, got married to Dhruba Charan Mohanta of Taramara village in Thakurmunda Block of Mayurbhaj in 1997. Dhurba is the third son of Mahendra Mohanta, who is having four sons with a family of 20 members. The family members fully depend on farming & daily wage. Mahendra used to cultivate 1 acre of own land and 2 acres on share cropping basis following traditional method of cultivation. As a result, the agricultural production was limited within 4 quintals per acre and whatever they produce from agriculture that hardly continued up to 5 months. But, they could manage their livelihoods supplementing wages out of daily labour, the second livelihood option of the family. 4 daughter-in-laws of Mahendra including Manju used to collect Sal leaves and prepare plates out of leaves. They sell the leaf plates in nearby market and spend the earned money for procuring rice and dal. This process continued till 2005 as there was no other option for improvement of the family. In the meantime, Manju became a mother of 3 daughters.

 Being a farmer’s daughter, after her marriage Manju was observing that her father-in-law had been practicing broadcasting method in paddy cultivation. Out of 3 acres of land, production of paddy comes maximum up to 12 quintals per year. Manju, with confidence, insisted her father-in-law to change the existing traditional pattern of cultivation and to adopt line sowing for better yield and she committed to support in applying her advanced knowledge gained from the training imparted by CYSD in 1996. But Mahendra did not accept Manji’s advice. Rather, reluctantly allowed Manju and her husband Dhurba to start line sowing paddy cultivation in one acre of land on trial basis. Surprisingly, the result was very good – the production increased to 8 quintals from 4 quintals. Since then not only her family members accepted this innovative method of agriculture, but the entire villagers of Taramara adopted line sowing method after seeing the magical progress brought out by Manju.

The story of Manju does not end here. The first child of Maju was a daughter. The problem arose when she gave birth a second girl child.  The in-laws were much reluctant in accepting a second girl child. The issue further increased when she delivered to a third girl child. Manju shared the issue with her husband and motivated him for adopting family planning. Her husband was agreed but the parent-in-laws strongly opposed it. But, Manju being a headstrong lady, could visualize her children’s future and better education. Taking the permission of her husband she underwent for Tubectomy sterilization in 2006. Presently, her three daughters have successfully completed their High School Certification Examination securing First Division each. The first daughter got married at the age of 22, the second daughter is continuing her Graduation and the third one has taken admission in +2 (for higher secondary education). “I will not give marry to any of my daughter before attending the age of 21 years, as I am aware regarding the consequence of child marriage”, shared Manju, a proud mother of three daughters.

Educating her 3 daughters and giving one daughter’s marriage could only possible when Manju became an active member of Taramara Women’s SHG group promoted by the Child Development Project of CYSD. She was motivated to initiate a goat rearing project through availing a loan of Rs.5000 from the SHG. With the amount she procured 3 female goats in 2008 to start goat rearing in a small way and later received another she goat as gift from her father. With the proper care, she could increase the goat population up to 15 within 3 years’ time. Meantime, she has repaid the loan taken from the SHG. “We are living a happy life and the goat rearing is the real source of our happiness. We are getting food from agriculture, but meeting other household requirements from goat rearing. At the time of financial need, we needn’t have to borrow money from anybody, but we meet the requirement by selling a goat”, shared Manju delightfully while paying her thankfulness to CYSD team.

 Definitely, a woman can bring changes in the society, if she gets a chance! The responsibility of our society is to give her a space to demonstrate her innovation.