was a landless labourer belonging to the dhobi community in Sasvihal, a backward village in the Phase 1 area. She made a living by washing and ironing clothes of villagers.
Her husband Ramanna was a painter; he painted boards and pictures of deities in the village. After taking two or three days to paint these pictures, he would sell them in the village or local markets. The money that came in - Rs. 200 to 300 - he spent on drinks.
Ratnamma became a member of a Munjavu group called the and took on the entire responsibility of managing her family. She began her savings with the meagre amount of Rs. 5 a week.
She persuaded her husband to work with her and once he realized the amount of responsibility his wife was taking on, he began to help her. He became more responsible about his family and started sharing the work of washing and ironing. As a result, the existing iron box could not meet the additional demands for ironing clothes.
Ratnamma decided that she would borrow money from her group for the purchase of a new iron box. In 1997, she borrowed Rs. 500 at 24 percent per annum from the group. With this addition, they started generating more income. Subsequently she borrowed Rs. 1400, Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2000 in later years to buy 12 grams of gold and goats. Ratnamma now makes a profit by selling goats.
With her improved economic condition, she is able to sends her two sons to school and manages to meet all the related expenses. Her husband and she wash clothes in neighboring villages as well. She manages the family and has stored away some money for a rainy day. As of now, her savings amount stands at Rs. 1040.
