Hard Working Entrepreneur

Barely literate Devkota is a living example of what hard work can do

By KAMALA PARAJULI

What cannot hard work do? There is opportunity everywhere for hard working people. Rukmini Devkota is a living example. She has already proved that even if one is barely educated, hard work pays. Inspired by self-employment, Rukmini invested Rs 5000 in hosiery in the early 1980s. Now her hosiery has capital worth Rs 3 million.

Born in 1960 in Palpa, she got married in 1983. She says: “In hilly areas, girls were not educated properly. I did not get much formal education. But I could do simple reading and writing. When marriage proposals came, I wished I could marry someone who might not be rich, but someone who was understanding. I got what I wanted. I married a simple and understanding officer. He also wanted me to do something in life.”

She made up her mind to work after her marriage. She realized that with her husband’s limited income it was not possible to run the household properly.

“I was determined to work. However, I could not decide on the occupation I would like to pursue. Nor was there any money. When there is a will, there is a way. I borrowed Rs 5000 from my kith and kin. I chose an occupation that I could sustain with the capital I had. At that time, a sewing machine could be purchased at Rs 5000. I bought that machine at installment by paying Rs 2500. I bought threads worth Rs 1000, and spent the remaining money on other things. I started sewing sweaters. I did not have the money to open a shop. We just had a rented room. I kept the machine in a corner of my room and started to work. I had not taken any special training. Nor had I seen good knitted stuff. But I had started the work, and there was no turning back. Initially, I made caps, socks and baby sweaters and sold them in the market. The woolen stuff was consumed in the market quite well. Gradually the demand increased. I was encouraged and I produced more stuff with new designs,” she says.

What can’t hard work bring about? Rukmini’s hard work paid dividends. Her enterprise, which started in a corner of a rented room in Dangadhi, gradually found place in the hill and plain areas of the far-western region. Her small-scale industry, which had just Rs 5000 worth of capital, now stands at three million rupees after two decades. These days, Rukmini is known as a successful entrepreneur in the Dhangadhi market.

Her industry has 32 regular staff, half of them women. Especially, victims of conflict and domestic violence and physically challenged women are working with her. Now she has many big machines, more workers and the working house is big.

On the issue of the remuneration of her workers, she says: “The remuneration varies from Rs 2000 to Rs 11000. There is also a provision of overtime allowance. Still, we have not been able to meet the market demand.”

When she compares her present financial status with that in the beginning of her marriage, she says there has been a dramatic change. She says: “Now my children have grown up. Their education is good. They have a house. There is an enterprise and recognition in society. As I have taken up the financial and domestic responsibility, my husband has been able to dedicate himself fully to political and social activities. Now I think if one has firm determination, he or she can do anything.” From her factory, she earns Rs 25000, after deducting wages, house rent, monthly costs and so on. “This net income is my true dividend.”

Rukmini has not received any training related to her enterprise so far. However, her dedication and hard work and zeal have brought her to this point of success. She is proud of her occupation. “Over one dozen women who were trained in this factory have opened their own enterprise in Tikapur, Joshipur, Attariya, Kanchanpur and Dadeldhura. Even here I have given employment to 32 people. Moreover, I give priority to the victims of conflict and domestic violence and physically challenged women. I have found success and prestige in this undertaking. I have also found happiness and satisfaction here.”

Rukmini Devkota not only uplifted the living standard of her family, she also because an emotional and physical support for people like us. When we rushed to her in times of trouble, she always loved and helped us. She always supported women in distress. She has become a guardian to those who have no one in this world. When I am worried or in trouble, I go to her place. It is like my maternal house,” says Parbati Chaudhary of Dhangadhi.

Thousands of people are loitering around, carrying their certificates of formal education, because of unemployment. This is the situation of our country. A woman of firm determination, Rukmini, though only literate, has been able to provide employment to others as well. She is a source of inspiration in Dhangadhi. She has been spreading the message that women should be economically independent.

Courtesy By : Sancharika Samuh