Shalay Koch,

Chandobhoi B SHG
Chandobhoi, Dalu

My name is Sholay Koch of Chandhobhoi village of Dalu Block. Daughter of Mr. Late Pritviraj Koch and
Mrs. Sorna Koch, who were farmers by occupation, I was born in a very poor family. I was the eldest
daughter of my parents and I had two younger brothers. I used to go school and after coming back from
the school I used to work at home and help my mother.

It was in the year 2004, when I was studying in class XII, when I got pregnant with child of Mr. Ratan Koch.
He was from the same village. When my family got to know about this, they called upon the village
Panchayat. Panchayat decided and asked both of us, according to the customs, to start a new life. My
father gifted us some land to help us start with our new life.

Soon after that, my life took an unexpected ugly turn. Everyday my husband used to get drunk, come
home and beat me. My life became horrible as the days passed by. He behaved like a psych; he would
throw things around and he would kick on the walls of the house. Even my husband’s brothers did not say
anything against my husband. In fact he kept backing him up. All the utensils of my house were taken by
this brother’s family. Because of this I had to approach village Panchayat for help. To my good fortune,
village Panchayat made decision in my favor. They asked both of us to be at peace with each other and
lead a happy life. I was in the fourth month of my pregnancy then. On 6th February 2006 I got a baby boy.

After 6 months, my husband disappeared without any information about his whereabouts even to his
family and did not return for a year. After one year, he returned unchanged. He continued with his drinking
habits. Things got worse after this. Once he beat up my grandfather and injured his head. There was
another dreadful instance when he beat up my uncle and injured his throat. My uncle died of his injuries
and could not even speak before he died.

Village Panchayat meeting consisting of higher body including Nokmas, Secretary and Goanbura was
called. FIR was lodged in police station and my husband was sent to jail. After one month he was released
on a bail bond, but from that day we lived separately.

In the year 2008, some of my friends encouraged me to join an SHG. Along with nine other women, I
became part of a newly formed SHG named Chandhobhoi B. Initially our saving was Rs 15 per month, then
we increased it to Rs 20 per month and at present our monthly saving is Rs 50 per month. I borrowed Rs
3000 from my group; I bought two goats and I started my own vegetable cultivation. I sell my farm produce
in the nearby market to earn some money and to repay the loan as early as possible. Nowadays I focus on
working hard in the field and spend most of my time in my farm.

After joining the SHG group, I am now able to stand on my own feet. I have my own concrete house and
my son is studying in Class I in Sacred Heart Secondary School. He also takes private tuition.

My dream is to see my son very well educated; I want him to have bright future and load of success in his
life.