Kalpana Saroj, a story of effort and improvement that defied prejudice

He was born into the lowest social class in the country IndiaThey were exposed to discrimination and physical violence, But he rewrote his story. After one of his most difficult moments – in which he almost came close to death by his own decision – he imposed himself “Do something big” With his life.

Kalpana Saroj She is the director of the metal company Kamani Tubes, and has a net worth of $112 millionAccording to Logical Indian. He’s gone from the fringe layer Dalit She is considered an outcast to be a prominent businesswoman He won the Padma Shri award (2013), which is one of the most important awards in her country.

Today he posts the results of a demanding routine on his social networks. Some time ago, he revealed… BBC Which He works 16 hours a day. “If you put your heart and soul into your work and don’t let yourself be defeated, you can achieve things.”It was confirmed at the time.

His success is complete – he has a son Plane pilot And her daughter, who studied in the UK – never hid her difficult past. “I want to remember where I came from”Kalpana said in the documentary D.W. During one of his visits to Ruberkheda village Whoever saw it grow however, was in the same lands as him On the verge of death.

born in 1961 In the aforementioned village, located in the Indian state of Maharashtra, Kalpana is one of many members of a family police officer. It was his family The poor and marginalized Because of the sect to which they belong: Dalits.

Strict hierarchy of Indian castes – Which did not prevent the election of two presidents of this origin, one in 1997 and the other in 2017 – reserves for this institution Less popular professions: Picking up dead animals and cleaning drains, among other unpleasant tasks.

In reality, In his town there is a ditch Which represents a beginning “Outcasts” area. As much as it is literal as it is symbolic, Kalpana has experienced this discrimination In the body.

Although he managed to get an education at school I was unable to participate in some activities. This was passed on to her friends, and some parents who “would not let her into their homes,” she told British media in 2012.

A similar situation happened when she was a child, when she accompanied people from her community to work in it Upper class homes. I couldn’t get in, and what’s worse: when they felt thirsty, they gave it to Kalpana and the other children Only the glasses they used. This is what the documentary told YouTube “The New Generation of Maharaja”.

And another of the peculiarities The most populous country in the world – Despite a 2006 law prohibiting it – it is Child marriage. The 64-year-old businesswoman was no exception to this, a situation that led her to extreme suffering and the desire to die.

Because of family pressure Kalpana got married at the age of twelve With a man ten years older than me. As a child, she moved to her husband’s house in Bombay, where his older brother and partner lived. In a Dirty and small environmentHe lived with these relatives of the young man who They physically abused her.

“They pulled my hair and They beat me For any nonsense. “I felt very bad because of the physical and verbal abuse.”The businesswoman confessed to the BBC. Fortunately he was able to get out of there with Helping his fatherwho, after seeing her wearing rags and an exhausted face, took her back to her hometown. It was not a panacea, since A New social condemnation.

Flee from physical violenceBut since “abandoning one’s husband” is frowned upon in Indian culture, so it is neighbor They harassed her Malicious comments. Kalpana tried to ignore those who called her a ‘loser’ and started doing so Find your economic independence.

Although she learned to sew and found a way, the pressure By the neighborhood it is overshadowed. He decided to take his life Where he drank three bottles of ant poison.

While his whole body was shaking violently and his mouth was foaming, his aunt entered the room. This look saved her and led her to an encouraging design: “I decided to live“I do something great in my life and then I die.”He said BBC.

With unstoppable momentum, At the age of sixteen he returned to Bombay.But this time with his uncle and a job sewing. He earned less than a dollar a month, until he learned to operate industrial sewing machines. Since then his income has increased, but not enough.

“I was very disappointed, I realized that Money was important And I need to earn more.”He said, referring to the medical treatment one of his sisters needs and that Kalpana cannot pay from her salary.

That’s when I requested a loan from the government To open a furniture store. Besides her elusive watches dedicated to her fashion work, she Gain a reputation worthy of important connections. Thus he received an invitation to take charge of Kamani Tubes Metal Industries Company.

Saroj – Faith Buddhist– He turned the situation around and restructured the company, which was burdened with debt. “It wasn’t just about saving the company. It was about that Saving 556 families “Those who have lost their income and hope”He said in his book Instagram.

In addition, he invested in real estate until he achieved the empire he deserved in 2017 300 million dollarsAccording to the aforementioned documentary. in “The New Generation of Maharajas” You can see too Sima is one of the businesswoman’s daughters.

“She always showed my brother and me the positive side, apart from her worries. Only when we listened to her during the interviews, we realized that she How difficult it was for her to achieve all this“, Sima said. The girl was able to study in University of LondonEngland, and is one of the two children fathered by Kalpana Furniture businessman.

the other son, Ammar, pilot in Air IndiaThis sparked the pride of the woman who moved from poverty to millions. but, Kalpana doesn’t like to brag. On the other hand, he is trying to help the community in which he grew up, which is the same community in which he obtained his degree Ruthless treatment.

Eye care, clinical examinations and food feasts are among the activities that mobilize the marginalized community The businesswoman returns to the village.

Solidarity actions that align with one of the key phrases Kalpana Saroj: “Two things define your character: your patience when you have nothing, and your morals when you have everything.”.