Tag: REVIVE Diaries

Farmers in Maharashtra face severe challenges, particularly smallholder farmers, who make up 78% of the farming population and own less than two hectares of land (NSS 77th Round). Further, the state is particularly vulnerable to climate change that affects smallholder farmers who have the least capacity to cope (over 36 Mn Ha land was lost due to unseasonal rains in 5 years). Samhita-CGF, supported by the Walmart Foundation, is implementing a comprehensive intervention to address these challenges across 12 Farm Producer Organizations (FPOs), 7 of which are women-led and located in the Marathwada region, while 5 are mixed-gender FPOs based in the Amravati region.

The program’s distinguishing feature is that it strengthens FPO-farmer engagement by addressing the challenges of both these stakeholders in an integrated manner. At the farmer level, support includes blended financing instruments, skills in climate resilient agricultural practices and connections to social security schemes. Farm digitization (using technology to manage land and crop data) also helps farmers adopt data-driven decision-making. At the FPO level, it strengthens organizational capacity through infrastructure, training, IT solutions and market linkages, with a special emphasis on creating sustainable opportunities for women-led FPOs.

As of August 31, 2024, the program has reached 4,694 farmers (2363 are women), including those who have received access to finance (via blended finance instruments) and 2,217 who have undergone training on climate-resilient farming.

Our experience of working with women-only FPOs: Unique challenges and strengths

The journey of the seven women-only FPOs is not without its challenges. While they share common hurdles with mixed-gender FPOs, they also encounter unique obstacles that require focused support.

Navigating unique challenges

One of the foremost challenges women-led FPOs face is the need for capacity building and training. These organizations often emerge from the grassroots efforts of NGOs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Encouraging women to join and actively participate in FPOs often takes more time than in mixed-gender groups. Transitioning women from a service mindset to managing a profit-driven business can also be daunting. To address this, CGF offers vital support, equipping women with leadership, governance, and financial management skills to operate independently.

Decision-making in women-led FPOs contrasts with mixed-gender FPOs, where men often dominate leadership. Women-led FPOs promote dialogue and inclusive discussions, creating a more supportive environment for women farmers, addressing challenges like childcare, mobility, and safety.

Market access is another hurdle. Women-led FPOs face mobility restrictions, limited bargaining power, and less exposure to commercial networks, making it harder to compete. Mixed-gender FPOs benefit from established networks which are often led by men, while women-only FPOs need tailored support to connect with large buyers.

Technology integration is also challenging. Women-led FPOs face the digital gender divide, while mixed-gender FPOs benefit from men’s greater tech exposure.

Financial constraints also play a crucial role in the sustainability of women-led FPOs. Membership fees can pose a barrier for women farmers, as they often lack access to the share capital needed to join an FPO. Land ownership further complicates the landscape, as land rights typically reside with male household members.

Celebrating strengths

Despite these challenges, the strengths of women-only FPOs shine brightly.  Once mobilized, women-only FPOs often show stronger social cohesion, driven by confidence and shared commitment to collective goals. Their collaborative structures ensures that the FPO’s business interests and the agri/allied activities of its members are easier to align, creating stronger foundations for income growth.

Women-led FPOs focus on long-term social impact over short-term profits. Their dedication to sustainable agricultural practices and strengthening village groups reflects a commitment to improving the socio-economic landscape of their communities.

Empowerment and agency: The journey of women farmers in Maharashtra

When these women first expressed interest in joining the FPOs, their families were often hesitant, if not outright discouraging. Husbands and in-laws often saw time spent in FPO meetings as lost wages and were wary of women attending without male escorts. In some cases, male family members felt the need to accompany them to meetings.

However, as FPO involvement began yielding tangible results—connecting them with government schemes, credit sources, and valuable training—their social and financial status improved. One woman from the Manjiri Sakhi FPO recalled how her family initially restricted her participation but eventually supported her ventures. She said, “Now, my husband asks me if I have an FPO meeting today and even offers to drop me off. They’ve even started sharing household duties to support my ventures.”

The gradual change in their stories reflects the broader empowerment women have experienced through FPO engagement, linking them to resources like subsidies and crop insurance, and formalizing their roles as entrepreneurs.

Challenges along the path to empowerment

Despite these successes, the women of these FPOs still face significant challenges. A considerable knowledge gap exists in areas such as financial literacy, technology, and market strategy, which limits their ability to fully capitalize on available opportunities. Many women struggle with understanding modern business practices, particularly digital transactions, which hinders the progress of their FPOs.

Social norms also remain a barrier. Women farmers still face scepticism about their ability to manage organizations in the traditionally male-dominated field of agriculture. One member of the Vijaylaxmi Sakhi FPO shared, “When we started, people doubted us. They would say, ‘They’re women… how good can they ever be?’”

Additionally, financial constraints limit their ability to invest in technology, expand production, and reach new markets. Women still face difficulties in accessing larger markets, often relying on middlemen who take a significant share of their profits. As one woman from the Manjiri Sakhi FPO explained, “We grow good-quality produce, but reaching the market is difficult. Without proper transport or connections, we depend on middlemen, and it’s hard to get a fair price for our efforts.”

A case study on Transforming Lives: Sangita Mahanvar’s Journey from Marginal Farming to Empowerment

In the serene village of Dudhodi, Sangita Mahanvar’s life was once confined by traditional expectations. As a marginal farmer, she toiled alongside her husband and son, tending to their crops and caring for their eight cows.

Her turning point came when she participated in farmer training sessions organized by a local NGO(Swayam Shikshan Prayog). It was here she discovered the potential of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and joined Sarayi Sakhi Producer Company in August 2023. In January 2024, when she learned about the Returnable Grants program of Samhita-CGF funded by the Walmart Foundation, she seized the chance to change her destiny.

With a grant of INR 10,000 and her savings of INR 2,500, Sangita applied for a Khoya-making machine through the PM-FME(Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises). scheme, which offers a generous 90% subsidy on food processing equipment. With the support of her FPO, she navigated the paperwork and, within a month, proudly purchased the machine valued at INR 1,25,000.

Sangita’s innovation transformed her family’s livelihood. Previously, they sold 50 liters of milk daily at just INR 30 per liter. Now, she crafts 20 kg of Khoya from that milk, selling it for INR 180-200 per kg. This shift has generated an impressive additional monthly income of INR 15,000.

Reflecting on her journey, Sangita shares, “This machine has changed the whole dynamics of my house. I have moved from being an agricultural laborer to running my own business.” Today, she not only takes orders but also purchases milk from her neighbors to meet demand. With her sights set on expansion, Sangita plans to acquire more cows and invest in an additional Khoya-making machine, solidifying her role as a thriving entrepreneur and a role model for aspiring women in her community.

Key lessons from rural women farmers: Shaping our approach to empowerment and growth

Through our extensive work with rural women farmers, several key lessons have emerged, each of which has significantly shaped our approach to empowering these women and strengthening their communities.

Access to resources: Bridging critical gaps

Many women, despite being the primary labor force in agriculture, don’t own the land they cultivate, making access to financial support difficult. We introduced blended finance initiatives such as Returnable Grants (RG) and Credit Guarantees (CG) to provide capital without land ownership.

Balancing multiple roles: Empowering through shared responsibility

Rural women farmers juggle household chores, farm work, and FPO participation. This can overwhelm them and hinder income generation. To address this, we plan gender mainstreaming sessions to educate their male counterparts on shared responsibilities.

Resilience in the face of climate change

Women farmers are not only more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change but also more adaptable. Supported by FPOs, they’ve shown resilience in adopting climate-smart practices. We conduct regular training to equip them with the skills needed to face climate challenges.

Tech access: Empowering decision-making

Technology has transformed decision-making for FPOs. By onboarding our 12 FPOs onto the Doordrishti platform, we’ve provided women farmers with real-time data, enhancing their decision-making and helping them navigate the agricultural market.

Looking forward

These lessons have profoundly informed our approach. Increasing access to credit, co-creating solutions based on traditional knowledge, and building climate resilience are central to ensuring rural women farmers have the tools and support to thrive.

Background

As per the state level data of 2023,1088 farmers tragically ended their lives in eight districts of Marathwada, Maharashtra’s most drought-affected region. This is the region with one of the highest rate of farmer suicide in India. The changing climatic patterns resulting in erratic rains only add to the farmer’s woes.

What’s missing? The answer lies in first educating the farmer about climate change and supporting their transition to climate-resilient agriculture alongside diversifying their sources of income. To address this Samhita-CGF has been committed to supporting and improving farmer’s lives by providing them with returnable grants (RGs) to support farmers with their capital needs. Alongside financial support, farmers are also provided training on climate-resilient agriculture that helps them increase their resilience to climate-related disturbances, such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and erratic rainfall. They are taught various techniques for efficient crop and water management such as drip irrigation, land leveling, crop rotation, cover crops etc. These trainings also offer the farmers insights into sustainable farming practices and alternative livelihoods. This approach not only helps them adapt to the changing climate but also aids in breaking the vicious cycle of debt and poverty.

Findings and Insights

By working closely with grassroots organizations and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Samhita-CGF has successfully impacted numerous farmers in the region. The positive change is becoming evident, as seen during a recent field visit to Tuljapur, Dharashiv, and Solapur districts, where in-depth interviews and group discussions revealed farmers sharing stories of improved incomes and multiple sources of revenue.

Many farmers who earlier followed the traditional single cash crop system had transitioned to a “one acre farming” model where multiple crop varieties are grown on a single acre for both income and household consumption. This approach allows the farmer to be self-sufficient and sell surplus crops, reducing the risk of loss if one crop underperforms. It also provides the family with a nutritious diet through diverse crop production. These farmers received the Returnable Grant from Samhita-CGF for Rs 10,000 and invested it in either buying cattle or on improving their crop production by diversifying varieties of crops and get more agriculture equipments. This has resulted in the farmers becoming self- sufficient which has significantly reduced their financial stress. Most of the farmers we met from different FPOs across various villages reported such success stories with some incomes reaching as high as Rs 1 lakh per month. These changes are also inspiring neighboring farmers, who are eager to learn new farming techniques and diversify their income streams.

{Case study: One such farmer successfully transitioned from a single cash crop system to a “one-acre farming” model. With a Rs 10,000 Returnable Grant from Samhita-CGF, the farmer purchased a cow to further diversify his income through dairy farming. The cow gave birth to a calf, increasing the herd to two, which provided a valuable additional income. Beyond dairy, the farmer set up a vermicomposting system to produce organic manure and installed a biogas plant for cooking. Both the farmer and his wife manage the farm and non-farm activities, making them fully self-sufficient without relying on outside help. This transition significantly boosted their income and alleviated financial stress, allowing them to lead a more sustainable and independent life. They expressed deep gratitude to Samhita-CGF for the support and training that helped them adopt climate-resilient agriculture and diversify their livelihoods.}

Challenges and way forward

Samhita-CGF’s model of returnable grants and climate-resilience training is proving to be a powerful catalyst for change in Marathwada region. However, a lot of white spaces still exist where farmers need to be supported to be able to sustain their livelihoods. Some of the major challenges that farmers continue to face are getting fair prices for their crops, infrastructure for storage and processing, organic farming certification and establishing market linkages. Some FPOs have managed to receive support from the government for getting organic farming certifications and establishing market linkages but majority of them continue to struggle with everyday operations of running the FPO due to paucity of funds. The farmers showed willingness to receive additional training on organic farming, market linkages, and branding for their product. Hence, more efforts towards capacity building of the FPOs need to be made so that farmers can be benefitted further and have sustainable livelihoods. Given the success of Returnable Grants and training on climate resilience agriculture provided by Samhita, we now plan on supporting the FPOs for market linkages via ONDC.

This blog was authored by Ipsita Gupta.

In the pursuit of comprehensive financial inclusion innovations, Samhita-CGF’s pioneering network alliance is steadfastly working towards addressing the credit gap experienced by underbanked communities and micro-entrepreneurs. To assess our progress in this initiative, we are excited to introduce a revolutionary method for measuring and improving credit impact outcomes for informal sector enterprises by introducing four key indices – the Income Index, Economic Empowerment Index, Women Economic Empowerment Index, and Resilience Index. These indices are intricately crafted to offer in-depth insights into the economic well-being and resilience of communities. Let’s explore the significance of these indices and understand their vital role in evaluating the impact of informal sector enterprises and the households they support.

The significance of indices

Indices are vital tools for tracking progress and measuring the change in various aspects of communities. For instance, the Reserve Bank of India’s Consumer Confidence Index reveals that consumer sentiment rebounded significantly in the last quarter, reaching an index value of 118.8, indicating a growing confidence in the economy. This data points to the importance of understanding the sentiments and perspectives of consumers for effective economic policies. An index is thus “a single, unique numerical value tracked over a given period as a time-series”. Some of the other common indices measured in India are MoSPI’s consumer price index (CPI), BSE Sensex, air quality index (AQI), RBI’s financial inclusion index, etc.

In 1990, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) transformed the landscape of development theory, measurement, and policy with the publication of its first annual Human Development Report (HDR) and the introduction of the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI, born from Amartya Sen’s revolutionary “capabilities approach,” emphasized the importance of human well-being beyond income. This pioneering index inspired the creation of other impactful measures, with the latest HDR published in 2022.

More recently in July 2023, NITI Aayog came out with the progress report on multidimensional poverty index, which derives its methodology from the Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) published by Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

The choice of the indices by Samhita-CGF

In an increasingly interconnected world, the need for robust indices cannot be overstated. Traditional economic indicators often fall short in capturing the nuanced challenges faced by different segments of the population. The Income Index, Economic Empowerment Index, Women Economic Empowerment Index, and Resilience Index are tailored to bridge this gap. Below is a snapshot of the same.

According to a recent UNDP report, the global Gender Development Index (GDI) shows progress, but it also highlights the persistent gender disparities in education and income in various regions. This underscores the importance of specialized indices like the Women Economic Empowerment Index to address these specific challenges. Similarly, the Resilience Index aims to measure the ability of the proprietor’s household to withstand any exogenous or endogenous shock, given the sustainability offered by the growth of the enterprises through capital and other intervention support provided by Samhita-CGF.

Indices as a means to track our commitment to the vision for supporting the informal sector

Through the REVIVE Alliance, Samhita- CGF envisions to empower communities through data-driven insights and targeted interventions. Our recent impact assessment shows that through this alliance, we have catalysed the advancement of livelihoods for over 5,50,000 informal workers and entrepreneurs in just three years. This includes more than 4,40,000 women who have benefited from multiple interventions under the alliance, showcasing the potential for transformative change. We believe that by accurately measuring and understanding economic empowerment and resilience, we can implement interventions that have a lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families.

The resounding success of REVIVE looks at the next phase where we aim to irreversibly increase incomes and improve the livelihoods of 2 million participants over the next 3 years, and 10 million workers and MSMEs in 5 years (with at least 50% being women) through multi-year, multi-intervention support of participants. We aim to not only facilitate the graduation of small businesses into the formal economy, but also provide evidence to demonstrate the creditworthiness of these segments as a whole and create a new market for formal lending for banks, NBFCs, and other FIs. Our co-created pre credit score (PCS) will be used as a proxy for a formal credit rating and be required as a scheme prerequisite. (We elaborated more on PCS here.)

In a world where change is the only constant, it is imperative that we have the tools to adapt and grow. The Income Index, Economic Empowerment Index, Women Economic Empowerment Index, and Resilience Index are the embodiment of our commitment to creating a brighter, more prosperous future for all. (We deep dive into one of the indices, Women Economic Empowerment Index, here.) With these indices as the basis of measurement of impact on each beneficiary’s life, we can assess not only the number of beneficiaries but the degree to which the impact was created in the life of each individual. These indices would give a deeper insight into the impact REVIVE is creating and will aid the alliance to dive deeper into the challenges and opportunities to support and impact many more lives. 

 

This article was authored by Abhishek Gupta, Ipsita Gupta, and Varnika Jain

Artisan: Salma Ben Rajanpur, Gujarat

Supported by STFC’s sewing training

44-year-old Salma Ben comes from the Rajanpur area of Gujarat. “I am an all-rounder,” she says when asked about her skill set that makes her a growing artisan and micro-entrepreneur. “I have my sewing, tailoring business that runs out of my house. I do all kinds of work – cutting, designing new patterns, stitching, tailoring, etc.”

Salma Ben has been associated with STFC for the past three years and it all began with the advent of COVID-19. “Everything was shut. My husband lost his job. We had no income to make ends meet,” says Salma, who is a mother of three daughters and two sons. “All my children have passed class 10th except one son who is still studying. None of them are working and so I was the only provider at that critical time,” she adds.
This kind of crisis was met by Salma after she was determined to find new work. “I was asking everyone if there was a way to find more work. And this is when through a relative, I was introduced to STFC. They instantly became my pillar of support as they pulled me into their tailoring training and the first thing I ever made for them were thousands of masks,” remembers Salma.

At that point when many households were struggling with basic income, STFC began running its training programs and onboarded women who could make masks, cloth bags, basket bags, etc. This training usually consists of about 25 women in each batch and continues for about 3 months totaling nearly 45 hours. “I feel so fortunate that STFC provided me with free training when it was most needed. Earlier, I was doing tailoring work but that didn’t amount to much income majorly because I was dependent on local orders, which would only come at festivals or weddings. Also, the sewing machine was an old one and it was only during the training that I was introduced to a better machine that helped me do all tasks without depending on others. I also learned very critical skills such as cutting, and pattern drawing/designing – which earlier, I had to get done from someone else thereby losing further money,” explains Salma.

 

The training was crucial in not only their support but also in providing raw materials and equipment at zero cost. “I had earlier taken private classes but since I had to purchase my raw material, I could not continue those classes for long. It became a super expensive affair,” she says. Adding to this, Salma ben was introduced to a pool of determined women just like hers who took charge of their households at such a crucial time. “I was in such awe to see so many neighboring women just like I come out of their houses and learn a skill and become an entrepreneur. My husband still makes very little income- about INR 3000/month and with the support of STFC, catering their orders alone amounts to INR 8000/month. Right now, without my support, we can’t run our family. And without STFC’s support, I couldn’t have reached here”.

Salma ben has not only been influenced by so many other women like her but has also inspired many other women who have joined the training courses and are determined to work towards raising their income levels. “During COVID, I used to work for 10-12 hours straight. But then I fell sick and could not sit for so long. I have trained my daughters and now they help me in finishing orders.”

While Salma ben has still not named her business, she is determined to reach an income of INR10,000-12,000/month by taking more orders through STFC.

 

 

 

“During these tough times  I was struggling, distressed and did not have any stable source of income. This is when the Returnable Grant came to my rescue.”

Fatima encountered many Pandemic induced ups and downs before she could conquer a state of being independent and having a reasonable growth in her business. She is a beauty entrepreneur based in Sangam Vihar of Delhi.

“People were scared to come to the parlour and instead started calling parlour services at home. And even when people started going out they were more comfortable taking parlour services at my home rather than visiting my parlour. And few who were coming to the parlour were getting their towels or band for their safety and hygiene,” says Fatima on the impact of COVID-19 on her business.  

Before the pandemic, she was also  conducting beauty training sessions and provided a 6-month training session with 2 hours of class every day and charge a fee of Rs 500 for each trainee. Everything was going on smoothly in her life until COVID-19 engulfed her in unexpected turmoil and havoc. She had to close her training centre because trainees stopped showing up for the sessions. As a result, a source of stable income began crippling. “Even if 4-5 children would take my session I could pay off my rent,” says Fatima. 

With reduced customers, the income started dangling and soon Fatima didn’t have enough to run her business. This is when she got in touch with Dhriiti, a social enterprise based in Delhi. It was here that she was provided a Returnable grant in the form of zero-interest loan with the intention of helping her to restart her lost business. 

Fatima used the money and training efficiently. She took advantage of this opportunity and started brushing up on her beautician skills through the training sessions conducted by Dhriiti. The returnable grant helped her reshape her business and also assisted her to venture into the business of cosmetics. “The process of procuring returnable grant was easy and comfortable as we had no such condition of providing a guarantor, no compulsion of visiting the bank, no fixed amount to pay back and zero-interest. There were no compulsions or boundations. This was of the best facility provided through returnable grant,” she adds.  

With the support that she received from Dhriiti, Fatima was able to take the first leap toward income stabalisation post pandemic. She opened a parlour near her home.  “My mentors at Dhriiti suggested that I open a beauty training centre as I was good at providing training and I had previously trained many young students,” recalls Fatima. “It’s a big parlour compared to my previous one, which was quite small. The previous one had no cosmetic business and could accommodate only one chair with a small counter,” she adds.

The bigger facility not only provided her with enough space to run her parlour but also supported her with apt space to conduct her training sessions. “My spacious parlour has definitely helped me increase my business”, Fatima happily remarks.  

Even though Fatima received a small returnable grant amount, she says it was sufficient enough for her to kickstart her life and business. It gave her the confidence and strength to stand on her feet and took her on the road of being financially independent. Since she had repaid the entire amount, her credit score has helped her enter the formal system of banking, and increased her awareness of banking and loan schemes. Fatima desires to train as many young students as she can and take her parlour to great heights.
“The money that we received helped us in some way or another. The strength that ignited in us gave us the hope that we will be able to help and grow our business,” adds Fatima.

This story was editorialised by Avantika Seth

“It’s almost like this rickshaw is currently our caretaker. It’s the sole reason we’re able to survive.”

When the pandemic hit, Usha ben was making sense of the losses she had incurred by setting up a roadside chow mien stall. With the lockdown in place, she had to stall her business. Her only resort was to make her rickshaw run. But with everything going downhill, the rickshaw, too, couldn’t support her much. In the middle of the lockdown, its battery drained. As there was no money even to get basic food on the table, repairing the vehicle was out of the question.

“It was one of the most painful times of my life,” recalls Usha ben. However, a ray of hope showed up when she got in touch with SEWA Bharat and understood that the returnable grant of INR 20,000 could help her get the rickshaw’s battery repaired to enter the market once again. She first came to the SEWA Bharat centre to get her younger daughter’s ‘janampatri’ made, and that’s how she continued to remain in touch with the centre. After three-four years, she applied for an account in the bank with the help of SEWA and that’s when their journey began.

Since 1999, the SEWA Delhi microfinance program has enabled women to be financially included and independent. The aim is to ensure that members have access to savings and loans, particularly for working capital, and are prevented from exploitation by moneylenders.

“I was very disappointed as my work had stopped. I was facing severe issues, my income dropped and our ration was finishing. I approached Dolly didi from SEWA Bharat and she guided me through the process of procuring an interest-free loan. It helped me get the rickshaw battery changed and I was back on the road,” adds Usha ben.

Usha used to make electrical seals at her home before working as an e-rickshaw driver. For 1000 pieces she would get Rs 50 and in a day she could only make 220-250 seals in spite of working for more than 12 hours. Therefore, her elder brother suggested that she should drive an e-rickshaw. Usha has fond memories attached to the vehicle. Her elder brother not only went along with her for the purchase but also taught her how to drive.

“At the beginning, I was quite scared of how to drive the rickshaw and was so nervous thinking what if I hit someone or something.  My brother sat beside me and taught me how to drive.  I am very happy every time when the people of the centre are my passengers,” she tells.

Today, she earns anywhere between INR 700-800 per day and can provide for the education of her two young girls. “I take care of this rickshaw more than anything else in my life right now. I make sure it is always in good shape, I make sure I don’t park it randomly and so the chances of theft reduce, basically I make sure it is up and working -because this is the whole and sole of our lives right now,” she further adds.

In the Returnable grant program by Samhita, 202 women micro-entrepreneurs were aimed to be supported in Delhi. They are from Jahagirpuri, Sundarnagri, Gokulpuri, New Ashok Nagar and Raghubir Nagar areas of Delhi and are associated with SEWA Delhi Trust and Delhi credit cooperative. These women are from the backward communities and informal sector who have lost their livelihood during COVID-19. Mostly women micro-entrepreneurs involved in some trades i.e Home Based worker, Vendor, Domestic Worker, Self Employed. Like Usha ben, most of them have set up their small business such as selling garments, jewellery or tie&dye dupattas. The Grant has helped them scale their reach and led to a consistent source of income.

Usha ben received the Returnable Grant in the first cycle, September 2021. With the help of her rickshaw business, she will complete the repayment of the loan (INR 6000) by July 2022.

“After all being your own boss is the best, isn’t it? I can drive this rickshaw as much on as many days as I feel. When I’m sick, I can just let it park. No one’s going to ask me questions on that, no? It’s a great feeling,” she concludes.

This story was editorialised by Avantika Seth