Keshaba Sahu lives in Ainlabhata village under Patrapali panchayat. His two sons are school going students. His farm land is 3 acres and he has PDS card under National Food Security Scheme. Since scarcity of water has always been prevalent in the area, farming was not enough to feed the family of four. So he decided to go to Mumbai and work as a painter. He used to earn Rs. 400 as daily wage. With this earning he was living in Mumbai as well as sending money home for his family. Due to this double expenditure, he was able to send very less money and hence his family was managing in that money with great difficulty.

When NYDHEE selected this village for implementation of PHF project, various meetings and discussions were held with the community regarding their socio-economic situation. With due process beneficiary selection was done and Keshaba sahu was included in the list as a beneficiary. Like many rural people, he had the desired entrepreneurship skills but lack of finance and risk bearing capacity held him back . During one of the meetings on livelihood organized by NYDHEE staff, he realised that he did have a flair in business. He then decided to start a small business. He applied for financial support through the project coordinator in February 2022. The staff worked with him on a business plan along with a livelihood plan. After receiving his application plan, business plan and livelihood plan, NYDHEE supported him with a grant of Rs.9000/- in July, 2022. With this grant money, he started a small business of selling pulses. He goes to the local market twice a week for purchasing of supplies and the rest of the days he goes from village to village selling pulses. He is making a comfortable living from the income he gets from this business.

He has planned to save some money and start farming. As his income increased as per the plan, he started cultivating vegetables in his kitchen garden and is now able to assure his food security as well as cover the expenses of his son's schooling. Keshab says that he will not migrate again as he is satisfied in his business and is earning an additional livelihood from his vegetable cultivation. According to Keshab, he earns Rs. 500 a day by doing pulses business. Earning Rs. 15000 per month the family is able to meet all the needs and is very happy.

"I am very happy that NYDHEE has encouraged and supported me to start a business. Initially, I was scared but I am very happy and enjoy the business and I am sure that I can earn enough and don’t have to go as a migrant worker."