Parveen’s Journey of Hope | Empowering the Street Vendors
In the bustling markets of Santosh Nagar and Gautum Nagar, Parveen’s husband will always be found selling clothes for babies. Ever since Parveen got married, she has supported her husband by doing home-based work, specialising in stitching clothes, especially undergarments for children. While her husband ventures into the streets every day to sell their creation, Parveen takes care of their precious daughter and diligently sews 50 to 70 pieces of clothing each week.
Despite their perseverance, Parveen and her husband have faced an ongoing struggle to sustain their income throughout the month. Although her husband manages to earn around INR 4000–6000 per month, a substantial portion of their earnings goes towards household expenses and the procurement of raw materials. Additionally, they have the added pressure of paying the broker, who provides them with a spot in the bazaar for the vending. Parveen explained, “We spend almost INR 50–100 per day just to secure a vending spot. Some vendors can afford better locations with tarpaulin sheets for roofs. However, what truly challenges us is when we spend that amount and have no sales for the entire day.”
Under these difficult circumstances, the lack of awareness about available social security measures further increases their vulnerability. In response to these pressing issues, Upfront, partnering with Nav Srishti, initiated a community outreach programme to raise awareness and facilitate access to relevant social protection schemes for street vendors and their families. Through these programmes conducted with the members of the community, Parveen learned about the Sukanya Samridhi Yojana.
Learning about the scheme’s savings and investment benefits for her daughter’s future, Parveen discussed it with her husband. With the unwavering support of the field team, they opened a savings account in their daughter’s name at the Post Office. Determined to provide better opportunities for their little one, Parveen made it a habit to invest a portion of their income into the scheme every month. This practice proved fruitful, allowing them to save around INR 2500 over the past six months.
Encouraged by this positive experience, Parveen took another proactive step towards securing her family’s wellbeing. With the assistance of the field team, she registered herself under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. This programme granted Parveen and her family access to up to Rs. 5 lakh in health insurance at affiliated hospitals, ensuring comprehensive coverage for various medical services.
Parveen’s journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of social protection schemes. Through awareness and active participation, she and her husband are able to secure a brighter future for their daughter. As Parveen and her husband continue their journey as resilient street vendors, their dedication and determination remain an inspiration to others facing similar struggles. By empowering individuals like Parveen with knowledge and access to social security measures, we are trying to create a more inclusive and supportive society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed.
