In the village of Harsukh Ka Pura, 14-year-old Tejpal was once trapped in the cycle of generational labor, expected to follow in his father’s footsteps as a carpet weaver. His father, Ramdas, had spent 30 years in the trade, and Tejpal had already spent three years weaving carpets for more than 10 hours a day, which had taken a toll on his health. His mother, Sughar Shri, a housewife, wished for a better future for her son, but societal norms and financial constraints kept him from pursuing education.
However, in July 2011, change knocked on Tejpal’s door when an instructor from an educational support center persuaded him to enroll. This was a turning point in his life, despite his father’s initial resistance to schooling. Inspired by her son’s step towards education, Sughar Shri joined the Radhe-Radhe Self-Help Group (SHG) in September 2011. Through the SHG, she secured loans three times to invest in buffalo purchases and fund her children’s education, ensuring that Tejpal and his siblings would not have to endure the same hardships.
With the financial stability brought by her buffalo-rearing business and the empowerment gained through SHG meetings and Campaign for Women and Child Rights (CWCR) programs, Sughar Shri became a strong advocate for her children’s future. Her efforts allowed Tejpal to dream beyond the confines of carpet weaving—he now aspires to become an engineer.
His story is a testament to the power of education and community support in breaking cycles of poverty and child labor. Through determination, Tejpal and his mother have carved out a new path, proving that change is possible when opportunity meets resilience.