Shakuntala Kuwar sells her toys at the workshop-cum-sale on the premises of Sinha Library. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, Feb. 15: When her husband died in 1995, Shakuntala Kuwar, then a 35-year-old homemaker, had no clue how to raise her two little daughters.

She had never imagined she would have to venture out to earn for her family.

Today, at the age of 50, Shakuntala has become a source of inspiration for several other women who want to become independent.

Shakuntala has not just earned bread and butter for her family but also recognition for her expertise in making toys from clothes.

She is a member of an NGO, Ambpali, that works to promote artisans of the state.

Shakuntala said: “Apart from the work assigned by the NGO, I also train other women back home so that they are able to stand on their feet. There was a time I had to go door-to-door and sell biscuits to earn some money. I was often humiliated by people. Today, I can proudly say I am self-dependent.”

Shakuntala’s journey was arduous and challenging. After losing her husband in 1995, she and her two daughters (five and seven-year-olds then) migrated to Patna from Ara district. It was at this time when her life took a turn. Shakuntala came in contact with Ambpali which has over 5,000 women artisans registered all over the state.

The Telegraph met Shakuntala on the last day of the nine-day artisan workshop organised by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) in association with Ambpali on the premises of Sinha Library.

She, along with many other women, was here to take part in the state-level workshop-cum-sale of handicraft items.

“Earlier nobody recognised my talent. It was Ambpali that gave me a platform. I never dreamt of achieving all that I have in life. I have been able to play the role of the breadwinner of my family. Both my daughters are married and well-settled now,” she said.