Bashamma said that from the days when they had to go through hand loans, many people in the village now turn to her for loans
Published Date – 07:00 AM, Fri – 14 April 23
Kommu Shankaraiah, Bashamma and their buffalo in Anantharam village, Gummadidala Mandal, Sangareddy district.
Sangaredy: Kommu Bashamma and Shankaraiah still frown as they recall the days when they used to seek loans from neighbors to run their homes.
Until a year ago, Bashamma was working as a farm worker in Anantharam village, Gummadidala Mandal, while Shankaraiah worked for a local company. Their son Srinivas used to be a driver.
A year ago, they approached officials for financial assistance under Dalit Bandhu. They used the 1 million rupees they received to buy Srinivas four buffaloes and an automatic trolley so that he could transport vegetables from local farmers to the vegetable market in Hyderabad.
Bashamma now earns Rs 15,000 a month selling milk at local milk centers while Srinivas earns around Rs 45,000 a month. Instead of going to the company, Shankaraiah helps Bashamma look after the buffalo.
Bashamma said that from the days when they had to go through hand loans, many people in the village now turn to her for loans. They spoke to her with respect and admiration for how the family had wisely used Dalit Bandhu’s help to change their fortunes.
The couple were one of 100 lucky beneficiaries selected under the scheme’s first phase a year ago. They also managed to drill a borehole in an acre of farmland that they used to grow cattle feed.
Speaking of Telangana today, Bashamma says they can save Rs 30,000-40,000 per month. They now plan to use their savings to buy more buffaloes to increase their monthly income.
