Kali came to study in Barli in 2011 and successfully completed the six month training. Now she is an established tailor in Alirajpur. Kali was effected by the Polio virus when she was a child and since years is using a stick to walk but her handicap has not dampened her spirits in any way. She has confidently set up her tailoring shop in Alirajpur haat and is among the top earning tailors there. Kali drives me to her shop in a tri-scooter which she brought with her own earned money. The scooter is specially designed so that she can drive it in spite of her physical disability. On the way she tells me that the training at Barli gave her the confidence to do everything from learning driving to setting up her shop. Confidently maneuvering through the busy traffic of the narrow roads she smiling reveals that she raised the money for her scooter through the tailoring shop and still has a handsome sum of over two lacks in her bank account. The landlady whose shop she rents for her tailoring business is all praise for Kali. Kali shows me her shop with pride and joy. Her shop is filled with recently stitched clothes that will be delivered the next day in the bazaar (market). Kali now has another surprise to unfold. She shows me the gold jewelry (necklace, earings) which she has recently purchased. Her happiness is contagious. Her financially independence has transformed her from the shy, dependent and introvert young girl she was a few years ago to a confident lady. Kali (her name in Hindi means dark) in complete contrast to her name has enlightened not only her own life but also the life of her family especially her younger brothers and sisters whose educational expenses are taken care of by Kali.
