CHHATTISGARH / Korba | Economy India: For decades, Cherkin Bai, an elderly resident of Kerakchar village in Korba block, Chhattisgarh, had only one dream—that someday she would live in a house with strong walls and a roof that would not leak during rains. Life, however, had been cruel to her. Poverty, loneliness, and advancing age had left her struggling in a fragile mud hut in the middle of the forest.
Today, that dream has turned into reality. Thanks to the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), she now has a pucca home, one that not only shelters her but also restores her dignity and gives her peace in her twilight years.
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A New Roof, A New Hope: How Korba’s Cherkin Bai Found Dignity in Old Age Under PM Awas Yojana
A Lifetime of Struggles in a Kutcha House
Cherkin Bai’s story is not unique, yet it is deeply moving. For years, she lived in a dilapidated kutcha house, made of mud walls and khaprel (tiled) roofing. With no children of her own and her husband no longer alive, she survived on meagre resources and the occasional support of relatives.
The monsoon season was the hardest. Water dripping through the roof, muddy floors, and the fear of collapse haunted her. At one point, she even gave up the hope of ever living in a permanent house.
“My hair turned grey, my body became weak, and I thought I would leave this world in a hut that leaked every monsoon. I had abandoned the dream of a pucca home,” she said, recalling her years of hardship.
The Turning Point: PMAY Selection
Her life took a new turn when her name appeared on the list of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin). For her, it was nothing short of a miracle.
The scheme provides financial assistance to economically weaker families to build permanent homes. With the first installment received, Cherkin Bai, with the help of her relatives, began constructing her new home.
Despite her old age, she personally supervised the construction, ensuring every brick was placed with care. The house, though modest, stands firm—symbolizing resilience and renewed hope.
Shelter from the Storm
Now, as heavy rains lash Korba, Cherkin Bai sits inside her new pucca home, safe and dry. The fear of water dripping through the roof or walls crumbling under the pressure of rain is a thing of the past.
Although some finishing work like plastering is pending, the home is livable and secure. For her, the biggest relief is that she no longer has to fight the elements in her old age.
“This house is not just a structure of bricks and cement. It is my strength, my support, and my protection in old age. I feel like my life has found stability after decades of struggle,” she expressed with gratitude.
A Home That Secures the Future
Cherkin Bai has also adopted her grandson, who now stays with her and looks after her daily needs. The house, she believes, is not just for her, but for the next generation as well.
“I wanted a place where my grandson can live without fear, where he can dream of a better life. This house is not just my shelter—it is a foundation for the future,” she added.
A New Roof, A New Hope: How Korba’s Cherkin Bai Found Dignity in Old Age Under PM Awas Yojana
Gratitude Towards the Government
Deeply emotional about the support she received, Cherkin Bai extended heartfelt thanks to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
“This scheme is a blessing for poor and helpless people like me. Without it, I would never have had a roof like this over my head. I thank the Prime Minister and the Chief Minister for giving me dignity in old age,” she said.
PM Awas Yojana: Transforming Rural India
Launched with the vision of “Housing for All”, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana has become one of the most impactful rural development schemes in India. It provides financial assistance to rural households for constructing pucca houses with basic amenities.
In Chhattisgarh alone, lakhs of families have benefitted from the scheme, turning dreams into reality. Stories like that of Cherkin Bai highlight the real impact of government programs at the grassroots level—where every brick laid is a step towards dignity and empowerment.
The Human Side of Development
Cherkin Bai’s story is not just about one home; it reflects the struggles of countless elderly, widowed, and destitute individuals across rural India. It also underlines the transformative power of welfare schemes when implemented effectively.
For her, this pucca house is more than shelter. It represents:
Relief from years of hardship during monsoons.
A sense of dignity after decades of neglect.
Security in old age, when vulnerability is at its peak.
A foundation for her adopted grandson’s future.
A Symbol of Hope
As the rains continue to pour in Chhattisgarh, the story of Cherkin Bai shines as a symbol of resilience, hope, and the power of government intervention. For her, the pucca home is not just concrete walls and a roof—it is a sanctuary of peace, a symbol of dignity, and a promise of a better tomorrow.
Her journey from despair to hope underscores a simple truth: development is not just about infrastructure, it is about touching lives.
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