ICICI Foundation

People often get demotivated by the difficulties they encounter in life. Unfortunate circumstances and events more often than not, decide one’s future. So luck, for sure, plays a huge part in a person’s life but some people forge their own destiny, they make their own luck! Born a member of a Scheduled Caste and raised by a traditional family that was rather poor, Sukhveer Kaur, was one of those people who decided her own fate. Sukh~Veer translates to happiness and bravery, which perfectly describes her.

Sukhveer’s father was a daily wage labourer who unfortunately passed away a couple of years ago; the rest of her family comprised of her only brother and a sister. Sukhveer’s life seemed to be an accumulation of painful tragedy; she met with a car accident 5 years ago, lost her father and did not have enough money to pursue an education thus forcing her to drop out of school in the 7th grade. But she persevered; she never let the fire inside her fade away. She was determined to rid her family of poverty. It is said that opportunities always come to those with a yearning for achievement.

It was the 24th of November, when ICICI foundation entered Jhingar Kalan – Sukhveer’s village and conducted EAP. It is a small village situated in Dasua Tehsil of Hoshiarpur District of Punjab with a tiny population of just 2,357 people and 481 families. After listening to the various courses offered by ICICI Foundation, she had her heart set on Beauty Parlour Management. Unfortunately, this was met with disapproval by her brother because cutting hair is prohibited in the Sikh community as it is against their traditions and customs. However, she received immense encouragement from her mother, as a result of which she held her head high and completed the course. Being the most sincere student in the class, she practiced hard and after just twelve days of work she learnt enough to start working at home. She even started attending to customers. It was not long before she opened her own beauty parlour after borrowing some money from a few wellwishers.

Sukhveer Kaur is a real testament to the fact that the human spirit is fiery, it is strong, it can
move mountains if accompanied by sheer determination and hard work. She is truly an inspiration to millions of women across the country with similar circumstances. Sukhveer of course, had a little help from ICICI Foundation’s EAP initiative; however it was only her strength, bravery and perseverance that led her to ultimate happiness.

Sukhveer now deals with 2-3 customers per day and makes around Rs. 5,000 rupees a month. She has aspirations to own her very own saloon in Dasusya, the marketplace of her hometown.

Pain, tragedy, agony, anguish and frustration; they rock our world every day! The vast majority of people call it quits at the slightest hint of trouble, of unfortunate circumstances. But there are those who shine through the dark chasms/patches/pits of life and their light never burns out for they are committed to change; they are committed to creating a better life for themselves.

Sukhveer Kaur was one such remarkable individual. Born a member of a Scheduled Caste, she was raised in a traditional family that was rather poor. Her father was a daily wage labourer and the rest of her family comprised of her only brother and a sister. Severe tragedy met Sukhveer’s life many a time; she met with a car accident five years ago; her father passed away a couple of years ago and as she belonged to a poor family, she was unable to pursue an education past the 7 thstandard. But like the name “Sukhveer” suggests she was brave and persevered through life’s difficulties. One of her biggest goals was to rid her family of poverty. It is said that opportunities come racing towards those who yearn for achievement.

On the 24th of November, in Jhingar Kalan – Sukhveer’s village, one such opportunity helped her forge her path to success. Jhingar Kalan is a small village situated in Dasua Tehsil of Hoshiarpur District of Punjab with a tiny population of just 2,357 people and 481 families. ICICI Foundation entered her village and conducted EAP. It was as if there was finally hope for her! After exploring the various courses conducted by ICICI Foundation, she had her heart set on Beauty Parlour Management. This, however, was met by disapproval from her brother; this is because cutting hair in the Sikh tradition is prohibited and is against their religion and customs. It was her mother who was her support system through these tough times. Knowing what was at stake, Sukhveer was the most sincere student in her class. She practised hard and conscientiously/diligently/enthusiastically. After learning so much in just twelve days of class, she started working at home as well as attending to customers. She even opened her very own beauty parlour

Life will throw a hundred things at you. Some people get lucky while others make their own luck. Sukhveer made her own luck. She is a real testament to the fact that the human spirit is fiery, it is strong, it can move mountains if accompanied by sheer determination and hardwork. She is truly an inspiration to millions of women across the country with similar circumstances. Sukhveer, of course, had a little help from ICICI Foundation’s EAP initiative; however it was only her strength, bravery and perseverance that led her to ultimate happiness.

Sukhveer now deals with 2-3 customers per day and makes around Rs. 5,000 rupees a month. She has aspirations to own her very own saloon in Dasusya, the marketplace of her hometown.