Sushmita Bera

“I rose from abandonment and hardship to build a life of dignity, strength, and hope for my daughter.”

I was born and raised in a modest village as the only daughter of my father, Ashish Babu, a humble pandal craftsman. My father spent his life building beautiful structures for others’ celebrations, even though his own life had very few. Still, he raised me with love and the hope that I would have a better future.

After completing my secondary education, I got married to Vijay Babu, who worked in a construction company. For the first two years, my life felt peaceful and full of hope. But everything changed when I became pregnant. My daughter, Sonata, was born prematurely, and due to complications during childbirth, I became partially paralyzed on the right side of my body.

During this difficult time, my husband abandoned me. He cut all ties and refused to take any responsibility for me or our daughter. I returned to my parental home, where my father took care of me with endless patience and love. With his support and my determination, I slowly learned to walk, write, and work again using my left hand and foot.

To support my daughter and myself, I started doing small jobs like hair removal work. I earned little by little, managing our daily needs, my medical expenses, and my daughter’s education. Later, my life changed when I met a BFLP Educator Didi. Through the Bandhan Financial Literacy Project, I learned how to use an ATM card, protect myself from cyber fraud, make safe online transactions, and understand the benefits of insurance and long-term savings.

Even with limited income, I began saving regularly—around ₹1500 whenever possible. These savings were not just money for me, but a symbol of my determination to build a better future for my daughter.

Today, my dream is to give my daughter the opportunities I never had. She is bright and hardworking, and I want to support her education fully. I have no desire to return to the life that once abandoned me. Instead, I want to show how far I have come.

My journey has been full of pain, but it has also made me strong. Today, I stand not as a victim, but as a woman who chose to rise.