Our Stories
Shikha Janoriya
Director
Synergy Gram Producer Company
Orphaned at a young age of nine with younger siblings to care for, Shikha Janoriya’s life in the small town of Harda was a harsh reality. With an alcoholic father and limited resources, she took on a motherly role for her younger brother, relying on the generosity of teachers and friends for basic necessities like food, uniforms, and books to complete her schooling despite social pressures. Shikha’s troubles continued at 16 when she married her deceased brother’s widow. Her new husband’s alcoholism led to abuse and financial struggles. By 2011, she became the sole breadwinner, working as a construction worker to pay his medical bills while juggling childcare and maintaining their meager income with his heavy drinking.
A turning point arrived in 2018. Shikha Janoriya joined the Yuvalaya (YRC) program at Synergy Sansthan, a program that empowered her. Recognizing her spirit, the NGO’s co-founders offered her a job. Determined to improve her life, she defied societal disapproval and enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Social Work. With a steady income and the supportive environment at Synergy, hope flickered within her. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought fresh challenges. Her husband, a tea/coffee vendor on trains, lost his job.
The subsequent closure worsened their financial situation, tragically culminating in his suicide in 2021. Devastated, Shikha found solace in Synergy’s support network. Fueled by the singular goal of securing her children’s future, she slowly began rebuilding her life. Today, Shikha Janoriya stands tall as the director of a production company co-founded by Synergy and local artists. Her driving force remains her unwavering commitment to providing her children with a quality education. Despite facing immense difficulties, she never lost hope. Her indomitable spirit serves as an inspiration, highlighting the stark contrast between our struggles and hers. Shikha’s story is a testament to the boundless potential of the human spirit.
Krishna Kanak
Bamboo Artisan
Synergy Gram Producer Company
Krishna Kanak has a clear vision for her future. She’s determined to never return to the monotonous life she once led, where every day was just a way to pass time. Through her work, she’s found a sense of purpose and fulfillment that she never experienced before. Krishna is eager to be recognized for her work and wants to create items that are unique, stylish, and a class apart. She’s always looking for new ways to improve her craft and is committed to creating pieces that are different from anything else. She envisions a future where she’s recognized by everyone on the streets for her accomplishments, and she’s determined to ma ke it happen. Krishna has experienced extreme poverty in her life, having lost both of her parents at a young age. This experience has fuelled her drive to succeed and never return to a life of struggle.
Neetu Bhadrele
Bamboo Artisan
Synergy Gram Producer Company
Neetu Bhadrele firmly believes that every drop makes an ocean and hopes that the small items she makes will give birth to something massive. Although she has not yet achieved any significant accomplishments in her life, she is determined to make a difference through her work. Apart from being an artisan for Banskaari, Neetu is also a master painter. She can create anything with a pencil, and her attention to detail is unmatched. For Neetu, her work takes precedence over the monotonous household chores that she is expected to do. She is passionate about her craft, and it shows in the way she approaches her work. One of the things that Neetu appreciates the most about working at Banskaari is the togetherness and unity that they share as a group. For her, it is not just about individual achievements, but about working together to create something beautiful. She believes that this unity is what sets them apart and allows them to create truly unique pieces. Despite the challenges that she has faced in her life, Neetu remains grateful for the blessings that she has received. Her family survived a major bus accident where the driver was drunk driving, and the entire bus toppled over. Neetu is grateful to God that she is able to sit in front of us today, in good health, and pursue her passion.
Neetu Gaur
Bamboo Artisan
Synergy Gram Producer Company
Neetu Gaur is an artisan from a village near Itarsi who dreams of creating a full-fledged Banskaar community. She is well-versed in weaving and tailoring, skills that she honed while working from home. Her primary motivation for working is her husband, and she cherishes the opportunity to learn and grow within the community. Despite encountering a life-threatening accident that left her right arm white from a major electrical shock, Neetu is grateful for surviving and considers herself lucky to be alive. However, the incident has instilled a sense of caution within her, and she uses machines with utmost care and caution, often utilizin g wooden planks and other safety measures. Neetu has a deep desire to establish a strong community in Banskaari, and she believes that her skills and passion for creativity can help her achieve this goal. She’s a hard-working and diligent individual, and she’s determined to make her dreams a reality.
Mehak
Bamboo Artisan
Synergy Gram Producer Company
Mehak, an enthusiastic artisan, has found a sense of belonging in the vibrant community of Banskaari. Despite her youth, her skill and expertise are highly valued by her peers, who often seek her guidance. Inspired by her parents, Mehak cherishes the opportunities to learn and grow within the community, and she’s always eager to explore new creative avenues. She’s particularly interested in designing unique decor items that she can use to embellish her home. Her free-spirited and positive attitude allows her to take risks in her artistic pursuits, and she enjoys sharing her creativity with others through her Instagram account. Mehak’s work experience at a general store introduced her to the world of makeup, which she quickly fell in love with. She started experimenting on herself and her friends, and her interest in makeup has continued to grow. Mehak dreams of opening her own parlour someday, and she’s planning to take courses to enhance her skills and make her dream come true.