With shouts of acclamation surging through the air and energy levels running high, Atushi Biswal takes to a makeshift stage and begins reciting a popular rhyme in Odiya, her mother tongue. A devoted fan and enthusiast, Minakhsi Roul leans over and whispers, “Do you know she also dances very well? She performed at the South Asia Child Rights Convention and won first prize at the district level.” 

Proud of her fellow self-help group member, Minakhsi continues to cheer for Atushi, who covers her eyes in shyness, revealing only glimpses of her sweet smile. 

Life was not always filled with laughter and joy for Atushi and Minakhsi—whom I consider some of the world’s most extraordinary human beings. Seen through the tainted lens of society’s prejudice, they were discriminated against because their physical forms did not conform to what the world deemed “normal.” 

Minakhsi Roul, visually impaired from birth, said, “I felt inferior to others. Children saw me as the girl with one eye. Though my parents loved me, I thought it was out of pity. I was handicapped.” 

“Meenakshi used to ask her mother why her siblings were normal and she was not. Her mother cried every time she heard this,” says Dhirendra Roul, Meenakshi’s father. “We were very concerned about her future. Who would marry her? We had no expectations from her and thought she wouldn’t be able to do anything in life. We were certain she wouldn’t be able to take care of herself.” 

Succumbing to the belief that physically challenged people are of no use, she dropped out of school before completing Grade 10. Dejected and feeling lonely, Meenakshi felt worthless. 

“When I first interacted with Meenakshi, she had very low self-esteem. She was hurt and felt worthless. It took many regular visits to her home and one-on-one counseling for her to realize that she was special and that God loved her just the way she was. She introduced me to more families who had special family members like her. God enabled me to minister to these families,” says Pratima Tandi, a community development coordinator with World Vision India. 

“The families believed that such children were born to them because of a curse or some past generational sins. I had to tell them that this was the wrong way to think,” she added. 

Pratima prayed, searching for ways to help these families. Minakhsi’s idea to start a self-help group (SHG) for differently-abled people was the answer to her prayers. From autism to multiple paralysis, visual impairment to absence of limbs, the nine members of this unique SHG—initiated with support from World Vision India—were determined to challenge the ideology that physically and mentally challenged people are burdensome, unproductive, and a drain on their families. 

Atushi Biswal’s mother recalled the cruel things people said about her daughter. “Initially, people said she was insane and that I should not keep her but kill her. They said she would always be a burden on the family. It was upsetting to hear all these things about my daughter. But I gave birth to this child, so she is my responsibility. Whatever the situation, I decided to take care of her,” says Anjana, Atushi Biswal’s mother. 

“People thought we were crazy to encourage a self-help group whose members were physically and/or mentally challenged. They laughed at us. The community questioned the efficiency and sustainability of the group. But we knew the purpose of its formation. We had a bigger vision in mind, different from theirs,” Pratima says. 

Sustainability of the group was essential, but since most of the members were not earning, World Vision India invested Rs. 20,000 in a poultry farm to be managed by the group members and actively supported by their families. 

No one had ever entrusted them with such responsibility before. 

Through World Vision India, Minakhsi, who led the group, received multiple trainings to help increase the group’s sustainability. Day after day, Minakhsi diligently works toward securing government provisions for the disabled members of her community. Whether acquiring wheelchairs for the physically challenged, sticks for the visually impaired, disability pensions, or disability certificates, she does not quit until the beneficiaries receive their rightful support from the government. 

“I had no one informing me about government schemes, like the Bani Shree provision, until Pratima empowered me. Many others lack this information as well. I have made it my mission to inform them and fight on their behalf, so they get what is rightfully theirs. I do not want them to go through what I went through,” Minakhsi says. 

In Minakhsi’s courtyard, now transformed into a stage, Atushi continues to melodiously recite nursery rhymes. Her mother, one of the spectators, clasps her hands tightly, praying for the recital to go smoothly. Watching her daughter perform with such confidence and boldness brings tears of joy. Together, managing the group and the poultry farm, the members have not only found companionship but also rediscovered themselves and the essence of their existence. 

Impressed by the efforts of the group members, the agricultural officer of Erasama block sanctioned a loan of $7,400 USD and personally congratulated all the members. Once despised and shunned by their own community, these physically and mentally challenged individuals were now entrusted with more responsibility and respect than anyone could have imagined. 

The Maa Batamangala Self Help Group is no longer afraid to dream big. They envision turning their poultry farm into a well-renowned enterprise. They want to expand the farm and establish a dedicated office. 

As for Minakhsi, besides leading the SHG, she has become an active advocate for people with disabilities. Through platforms provided by World Vision India, she holds the government accountable for their promises by constantly questioning the efficiency of implementing schemes and provisions for the disabled. 

“Now I feel she can do something for herself. Even if I die, she can stand on her own feet. She will not face the problems I once feared she would. The first time she handed over her earnings to me was the best day of my life,” says Dhirendra Roul, Minakhsi’s father. 

As Atushi’s performance came to an end and the roar of applause faded, Minakhsi embraced her and said, “I don’t care whether I get married or not—this is what I live for. Seeing them happy is my mission.” 

- Annila Harris