Archana Jana stays in Bargachia, Howrah district of West Bengal. She got married at the age of 20 to Sukumar and has three children, two son and a daughter. Sukumar use to be karigar (labour) in making sholapith (shola) products used in decorating Hindu idols, in home décor and in creating the headgears of brides and grooms for a traditional Bengali wedding. Most of families in that area are into making these items. These items have a niche market but the karigars were paid low and it was very difficult for them to run their family. The condition of Jana family was also the same. Archana used to share the workload. After some years, Sukumars's health condition became such that the Doctor at the Howrah Hospital advised him not to stress himself and not to do heavy work. Archana then decided to carry on the work of her own, while her husband was under treatment. She started her own business, taking loan from VFS and buying the raw materials directly. At that time her loan was Rs.2000. She is now having a loan cycle of Rs.12000 and she has now employed karigars under her. Her income is now more than Rs.200 per day. She found lifeline during though times and thanked VFS for the service provided to them.
