Placeholder canvas
 
Close
Igniting Ideas For impact

Embarking on a transformative journey through six chapters, we traverse India's landscape, exploring pioneering startups and their revolutionary...

8 months

Jharkhand Women Give up a Day’s Income, Make & Send Slippers to Kerala Victims

With the help of the district administration, the women sent across 1,000 pairs of slippers to Kerala on August 27.

Jharkhand Women Give up a Day’s Income, Make & Send Slippers to Kerala Victims

As the entire country is donating to help flood survivors in Kerala, a group of women from a village in Jharkhand have come up with a unique idea to support the state.

Around 300 women from Balijore village of Dumka district of Jharkhand, who earn not more than Rs 250 a day by making footwear, decided to put in extra efforts and spend their day’s worth of salary to provide slippers to the flood survivors. With the help of the district administration, the women sent across 1,000 pairs of slippers to Kerala on August 27.

Mitiya Tudu, one of the women linked with the local footwear making industry, said,

“We got to know the news about Kerala floods through the newspaper, and it was sad to hear how lakhs of people were victimised by this natural calamity.”

She added that the women at the factory discussed the news among them and decided to help out the flood survivors. “Because we do not earn enough to contribute to the relief fund, we decided to send something which they could use. This is how we came up with the idea of making and sending across slippers, all free of cost,” she said.

Mitiya is among one of the many women of Balijore village who once used to sell Hadiya (rice beer) on the roadside, facing constant humiliation, abuses and eve-teasing by her customers, who were all men, as she had no other employment options.


GiveIndia and The Better India have come together to help Rebuild Kerala by supporting 41,000 affected families. You too can be a part of this movement and help us raise funds for the NGOs working to rehabilitate these families. If all of us come together with a small monthly contribution, we can make a real and meaningful difference in helping restore normalcy to those who need our help the most.

Unable to view the above button? Click here


These women got a chance to change their lives after the district administration roped them for the production of slippers, thus starting the brand Bali Slippers.

Manju Devi, another woman involved in the production of Bali Footwear, said, “I used to earn not more than Rs 150 a day, and the humiliation and the harassment I had to face while selling Hadia to men on the roadside cannot be forgotten. However, after I started making slippers, my income increased by a minimum of Rs 100 and I was able to provide more to the family, now with dignity.”

She added, “I thought that when I got a chance to change my life, I should try to do something to help others too. This is the reason I agreed to make and send slippers to the flood survivors by putting in my day’s salary to it.”

The production cost of one pair of slippers, not including the labour cost, is Rs 70. Thus, the price of 1,000 pairs of slippers went up to Rs 70,000, and every woman had to contribute around Rs 250 to complete the entire consignment.

“Rs 250 means a lot to me as I do not just use it to feed my entire family for a day but also save some for the future. But when I think of those people who lost their savings, their houses and even their families, I feel that if by spending this amount and some labour I can do something for them, it is all worth it,” said Monica Tudu, another woman.

Varun Ranjan, Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC), Dumka, who flagged off the vehicle carrying the slippers to Kerala on August 27 said that the credit for idea and execution goes to the women of the village. The only way district administration helped them was by bearing the transportation charges for sending off the slippers.

Ranjan informed that the initiative of these women has proved to be a motivation for many others and now more people are coming forward with donations.


Also Read: Kerala Floods: These Heroes Made Sure Aluva’s Cancer Patients Weren’t Abandoned!


“Many people wanted to contribute to the relief funds, so we motivated them to do it through Bali Slippers. Now people are coming forward and sending the donation money to the account of the company and women are using it to make the slippers,” he said.

As a result of these donations, another consignment of 1,000 more slippers, which is now being made, would be sent to the state in the next few days.

Social organisations, college students, office goers, local volunteers and employees of the collectorate are coming forward to give donations for the cause after being inspired by the women of Balijore.

“The employees of the Block Office donated Rs 25,000, youths who were volunteering at the Shravani Mela donated Rs 10,000, and a group of college students and professionals donated Rs 11,000. These are just a few of the many donors coming forward to donate to Bali Footwear so that the women can make and send across more slippers to the flood survivors,” Ranjan said.


GiveIndia and The Better India have come together to help Rebuild Kerala by supporting 41,000 affected families. You too can be a part of this movement and help us raise funds for the NGOs working to rehabilitate these families. If all of us come together with a small monthly contribution, we can make a real and meaningful difference in helping restore normalcy to those who need our help the most.

Unable to view the above button? Click here


The district administration officials are hoping that more donations would come in to help the flood-hit state and the women would get more support in making slippers for the survivors.

(Edited by Shruti Singhal)

Like this story? Or have something to share?
Write to us: contact@thebetterindia.com.
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

This story made me

  • feel inspired icon
    97
  • more aware icon
    121
  • better informative icon
    89
  • do something icon
    167

Tell Us More


We bring stories straight from the heart of India, to inspire millions and create a wave of impact. Our positive movement is growing bigger everyday, and we would love for you to join it.

Please contribute whatever you can, every little penny helps our team in bringing you more stories that support dreams and spread hope.

Support the biggest positivity movement section image Support the biggest positivity movement section image
Shorts

Shorts

See All
 
X
 
Sign in to get free benefits
  • Get positive stories daily on email
  • Join our community of positive ambassadors
  • Become a part of the positive movement