Stories of #BuildingIndiaTogether

Jhumpa Dutta |

Walking the Path of Entrepreneurship

I am Jhumpa, twenty-eight, from a small village in Chowhatta, Birbhum, West Bengal, where most families live below the poverty line. I learnt Kantha embroidery from my mother and joined the Chowhatta Kantha Stitch Cooperative Society to support my family. Working long hours, I learnt to stitch clothes and eventually opened a small shop from home. Thanks to AIACA and the Flipkart Foundation, I learnt new skills, quality standards, design, and how to market my work on social media. I also learnt to manage a team of artisans and take responsibility for the final product. Today, I oversee payments for my fellow artisans and ensure they are paid promptly. I could pursue my dreams only because of my family's support and the opportunity given by AIACA and the Flipkart Foundation. Thank you, from me and the women in my group.

Ritika |

Progresses on the Road to Achieving her Dreams

"I am currently working as a telecaller, and the certified training at Pratham InfoTech not only helped me land this job but also helps me get better at it every day. Today, my parents are very happy and proud that I have a well-paying job that takes me a step closer to my dream of becoming a police officer. I want to thank PIF and the Flipkart Foundation for not only empowering me financially but also for bringing a change in my parent's mindset." Ritika resides in Sion Koliwada, Mumbai, and recently completed her Higher Secondary Certificate. She lives with her mother, a homemaker, and her father, an electrician, while her younger brother stays at a hostel for school. After her 12th board exams, Ritika knew exactly what she wanted, to become a police officer. While preparing to graduate and take the enrollment exam, she looked for work but struggled with communication and IT skills. She then learnt about the free digital and soft skills training offered by Pratham InfoTech Foundation. After convincing her family, she began learning skills that brought her closer to her dream. From using a laptop to mastering interviews, Ritika grew confident enough to attend job fairs, earning her father's support along the way. After seven attempts, she finally succeeded. Today, her job as a telecaller supports her through graduation as she works toward becoming the police officer she has always dreamed of being.