The Story of Indu Devi Sharma

This is the story of Indu Devi Sharma, and in some ways of a new and changing India. Indu is a traditional malishwalli and a business woman who lives in Mumbai. Indu represents a case of one woman who is single-handedly changing the fortunes of her small family. One of the ways she unlocked her family's economic potential was by using the cell phone. Technology and information (via TV channels, radio and word-of-mouth) are opening up new vistas and opportunities for many people, and being proactive appears to be the key to success.

Don't be afraid to ask questions as Indu points out. There is something to be learnt from that simple statement of Indu's.

I met Indu a few weeks ago in Mumbai/Bombay and was influenced by her way of thinking, creativity and industriousness. I use the word influence because her enthusiasm, her creativity and her attitude is infectious. Her story made me a stop in my tracks and force me to re-examine my own attitude to life and work. Why be held hostage by a situation? Work around it. Is that not what a good software developer will tell you? If a piece of code does not work, then try and find a work-around for it, and make it work. That is what Indu did and today she leads a successful life.

Indu's story begins in a village near Benaras in Uttar Pradesh. She belongs to a family, who have traditionally been barbers and masseuses. Born into a poor family it was her mother who improved the family's economic situation. Methodically and slowly her mother helped improve the family's situation. Both her parents worked hard and instilled a work culture of discipline and hard-work.

Indu began working as a young girl and relocated to Mumbai/Bombay 25 years ago. The move to the city completely changed her perspective. She quickly realized that the first step she needs to take is to open a savings account, and she set up doing that. Once she set up the account she went about saving money and bought land and built a home in her ancestral village.

When she started working in the city she was earning about Rs. 2 for an hour of massage. Today she earns about Rs. 100 for every massage. She also owns a corner-store in her neighborhood that her daughter runs.

A hallmark trait of Indu is her ability to emulate successful people. She almost appears starved for information to unlock the key to success. About three years ago Indu discovered the cell phone. One of her clients suggested that she buy a cell phone and have a basic rate-card for her service. Her client helped Indu chose her first cell phone and a phone plan. Armed with her cell phone, Indu has increased her business prospects and her earnings. Today, everyone in her family has a cell phone.

Indu says that ever since her family become cell phone users they learnt to become efficient time managers and are able to work longer hours.

Indu still continues to save and has some more business plans in her pipeline. These plans involve tapping into business opportunities in her ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh.

Why is Indu a unique story? Because Indu did not tie herself up in knots and let the fact that she barely has any education become a show-stopper to achieve her goal of economic independence and happiness. A keen observer and a quick learner Indu is always eager to improve her skill set and expand her business potential. Her only regret is that she did not learn to read and write and speak English.

I wish there were more Indus in India. All it takes is a handful of Indu's to change India. Technology in the hands of the right people can be a powerful economic tool. And Indu is a great example of that.

You can listen to Indu's interview in a podcast interview, where she talks about how she opened her first bank account, and  how the cell phone has changed her lifestyle. The interview is in Hindi, with some Bhojpuri thrown in.