Behind every number is a life transformed. For Tapati Sardar, that transformation began when she found an opportunity to build a more secure future for herself and her son.
At 30, Tapati is a mother from South 24 Parganas who has faced hardship from an early age. After marrying young, she soon found herself struggling to support her family because her husband refused to work. Moreover, when she asked him to help provide for their household, he responded with violence. As a result, Tapati was repeatedly sent back to her parents’ home, leaving her feeling humiliated and uncertain about her future.
However, becoming a mother gave Tapati a new sense of determination. When her son, Rakesh, was born, she decided to create a different future for him—one with greater stability, opportunity, and hope.
Finding a Path to Financial Independence
That opportunity came through Nishtha, where Tapati joined Yoga Gives Back’s Sister Aid Program. Through the program, she learned tailoring and embroidery, giving her practical skills that could become a source of income.
With the help of a small loan, Tapati purchased a sewing machine. As she began taking on sewing work, she also began earning money of her own. In turn, that income gave her greater financial independence and renewed confidence in her ability to support her family.
For Tapati, the sewing machine became more than a tool. Instead, it became a first step toward creating a future on her own terms.
A New Opportunity Through the Pad Project
In 2025, Tapati took another important step when she joined the Pad Project team. Through this work, she found a way to increase her income while also helping address menstrual inequity in her community.
Then, in August, Tapati sold her first 100 packets of Nirman sanitary pads. With every sale, she earned income while also helping make menstrual products more accessible to women and girls.
At the same time, her work helped open conversations about menstruation in a community where stigma and silence can make it difficult for women and girls to access the support they need.
Consequently, the Pad Project has become an important part of Tapati’s journey toward independence. She is not simply earning money; she is also helping create greater awareness and dignity for other women in her community.
Creating a Brighter Future for Her Son
Today, Tapati uses her earnings to help support her household and pay for Rakesh’s education. Meanwhile, her son is working toward his own dream of becoming a doctor.
Because Rakesh is a strong science student, Tapati works hard to ensure that financial hardship does not prevent him from pursuing that dream. She stitches late into the night and sells sanitary pads during the day, balancing both responsibilities as she works to provide for her family.
Her determination demonstrates how one opportunity can create a ripple effect. When a woman gains the skills and resources to earn an income, she can support her household, invest in her children, and begin building greater economic security for the future.
From Survival to Opportunity
Tapati’s story is ultimately about more than overcoming difficult circumstances. Instead, it is a story about dignity, resilience, and opportunity.
Through programs that combine skills training, microloans, education, and menstrual equity, women can gain more than financial assistance. They can gain the tools and confidence needed to make decisions about their own futures.
For Tapati, that journey began with a sewing machine. It continued with the Pad Project. Today, it is helping her build a future in which her son can pursue his dreams.
Her story reminds us that when women have access to opportunity, the impact extends far beyond one individual. It reaches families, strengthens communities, and creates possibilities for the next generation.
