Sukbhalang Swet

Sukbhalang Swet, a 22 years old youth of Lapalang village, in East Khasi Hills, of Shillong had to discontinue his studies due to his prolonged illness and financial constraints. His mother a single parent was a paralyzed for the last 5 years. Thus, both he and his elder sister discontinued their studies. His sister took up work as a bookbinder with a minimal wages. And he took up masonry as a job to support his family.

However, Sukbhalang had other interests. He wanted to do something on his own, like a small business, but was hesitant to take the step forward due to lack of support and opportunity. On 5 Oct 2006, he came across an advert about the Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programme organized by Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong in collaboration with NABARD, Shillong. He instantly approached the organizers and joined the four weeks REDP training. During the training, he interacted with various bankers and resource persons. The interaction with them turned out to be a tremendous source of motivation for him. He exclaimed that the exposure visit to Rural Resource Training Center, Umran offered a window for opportunities. He learnt the nuances and benefits of poultry rearing.

Soon after the REDP training, he decided to join the skill training at Kyrdem Kulai Govt. Veterinary (Poultry) Training Camp. He was determined to start a poultry unit of his own. He put in hard labour and extra effort to construct poultry shed on his own thereby saving the construction cost. With additional inputs he was able to buy poultry chicks and started rearing them.

When visited, Sukbhalang proudly showed his two batches of poultry ready to be sold in the market. He is now earning a steady income and he is quite satisfied with this job. He intends to enlarge and diversify his activities. He has already done a survey around the neighboring villages and foresees a scope for setting up a poultry feed outlet in addition to his poultry farm. Sukbhalang now, helps his sick mother at home and is able to earn his livelihood. He has now opened a bank account that he never dreamt of before. “I want to learn more on my own; I will go and seek financial aid from the bank only after I have enough knowledge on the trade. The journey to my dreams has just begun ", He concluded.