Bhagwanta Bai, From Manual Scavenger To Entrepreneur

Bhagwanta Bai was asked by her mother-in-law to join the profession and clean dry toilets. Initially, she could not eat after doing this job, but gradually she got accustomed to it. Daily discrimination was part of her life - from not drinking water offered by her to treating her like an untouchable by not letting her enter temples or allow her to eat in a restaurant. Even her children were discriminated against in school. Bhagwanta found support from her family when she decided to join the Usha Silai School in Mandsaur. The 7-day training changed her life. Once she started her Silai School, women who avoided talking to her now get clothes stitched from her and pay a visit to her house. She can now enter temples. Even financially, she is better off, "Don't have to depend on my sons or husband," she says proudly.