By Amol Thorat, Center Head, Sambhaji Nagar
Supported by Bajaj Finserv
Nikita lived in a small village called Lasurgaon with her parents and younger brother. Her father worked as a daily wage laborer, so the family earned very little. Nikita was studying in 12th grade and wished to continue her education. Life was not easy but they managed. Then life took a different turn. Due to family disputes, Nikita’s parents separated. Her father left the house, which changed their life overnight. They fell into deep hardship.
Nikita’s mother took her children to Phadegaon. She started working as a daily wage labourer. The younger son also took a job in a small firm. Both worked hard just to meet basic needs.
Nikita wanted to go to college. But the family could not afford the fees. She had to stop her education after the 12th grade. It was a painful moment for her. She felt lost and worried about her future. She often thought, “Will I ever get a chance to stand on my own?”
But she did not give up.
One day, she heard about a Soft Skills Training Program at CYDA. She joined immediately. She learned communication, confidence, teamwork, and time management. Later, she completed a Retail Management training program. She also learned sales, customer service, product display, and basic accounts. The training made her confident and ready for work.
Today, Nikita works at Indiano Food Junction. She earns ₹13,000 every month. She makes pizzas and proudly supports her family. Her hard work has brought stability at home and respect in society. Nikita now dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. She wants to give jobs to women who struggle like her mother did. She says, “I chose to fight my situation and move forward. Women can do anything if they get a chance.” Her mother proudly says, “I used to worry about her future. Today, she is my biggest strength.”
