Babita Khateek built a permanent Lalitpur home after receiving Rs 2.5 lakh in PMAY assistance. The house ended decades of insecurity and strengthened her voice in family decisions.
The new house brought immediate relief from the difficulties that had defined the family's earlier living conditions.
For nearly four decades, a leaking roof, crumbling walls and the constant fear of her house collapsing were part of everyday life for 57-year-old Babita Khateek. Every monsoon brought fresh worries as rainwater seeped into her home, while the possibility of poisonous creatures entering the house made nights particularly frightening for her family.
Today, the resident of Govind Nagar in Uttar Pradesh's Lalitpur district lives in a permanent house built with financial assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The transition from a dilapidated kutcha house to a pucca home has not only improved her family's living conditions but also strengthened her confidence, dignity and standing within the household.
In Bundelkhand, a region long associated with economic hardship and limited livelihood opportunities, Babita's journey illustrates how access to secure housing can bring meaningful changes to the lives of women and their families.
FOUR DECADES OF HARDSHIP UNDER A FRAGILE ROOF
Babita moved to Govind Nagar after marrying Harprasad Khateek around 40 years ago. The couple began their married life in a dilapidated kutcha house, where they raised their five children while struggling to make ends meet.
The family depended on goat rearing for its livelihood, but the income was barely enough to meet everyday expenses. Building a permanent house remained beyond their financial means.
With four sons and a daughter, the family faced considerable difficulties living in the fragile structure. During the rainy season, water would leak through the roof, making it difficult to sleep comfortably. There was also the constant fear of the house collapsing or poisonous creatures entering the living space.
Despite these hardships, Babita continued to hope that one day her family would have a secure home.
That opportunity came in 2019, when she applied for assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, along with other women in her neighbourhood.
Her application was approved, and she received Rs 2.5 lakh in financial assistance under the scheme. Combining this amount with some money the family had managed to save, she was finally able to construct a permanent house.
For Babita, the completion of the house marked the end of a struggle that had lasted much of her adult life.
A permanent home brings security and confidence
The new house brought immediate relief from the difficulties that had defined the family's earlier living conditions. The leaking roof and fears associated with the old structure were replaced by the security of a permanent home.
But Babita says the change went beyond physical comfort.
Having a house of her own strengthened her sense of dignity and gave her greater confidence in family matters. She began participating more actively in household decisions and felt that her opinions were being given greater importance.
“My respect, dignity and self-confidence have increased. My opinion has also become important in family decisions,” Babita says.
The house has also become the setting for some of the family's most important occasions.
Babita arranged the wedding of her daughter, Sonam, in the new home. Two of her sons were also married there, turning the house into a place where the family could celebrate major milestones together.
Today, her family includes her four sons — Sachin, Arendra, Arun and Sanjay — along with daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
For a woman who once worried about providing her children with a safe place to sleep, being able to accommodate a growing family in a permanent home represents a significant personal achievement.
AN INTERACTION WITH THE PRIME MINISTER
Among Babita's most memorable experiences was an interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi through a video call when she was being handed the keys to her new house.
Recalling the conversation, she says the Prime Minister asked about her educational qualifications. She told him that she had studied up to Class 5.
He also enquired whether she had a cooking gas connection, to which she replied that she had a gas cylinder provided under a government initiative. She also mentioned receiving ration benefits.
Babita says the interaction left her feeling encouraged and recognised.
For someone who had spent decades struggling with inadequate housing and financial limitations, the opportunity to speak directly with the Prime Minister was an unexpected experience.
She credits the housing scheme with improving her living conditions and expresses appreciation for the assistance she received. She also hopes that similar benefits will continue reaching other women facing financial hardship.
A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
The benefits of permanent housing have extended beyond Babita herself.
As her children married and the family expanded, the availability of secure accommodation became increasingly important.
Babita says one of her daughters-in-law has also received assistance under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, enabling the construction of another permanent house adjacent to the family home.
The arrangement has helped the extended family manage its housing needs while remaining close to one another.
For Babita, who once struggled to raise five children in a deteriorating kutcha house, the ability to see the next generation living in more secure conditions carries particular significance.
Her experience highlights how access to permanent housing can influence a family's circumstances across generations, providing a foundation for greater stability.
HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Babita's journey also draws attention to the relationship between housing security and women's empowerment in economically disadvantaged communities.
For families dependent on small-scale activities such as goat rearing, accumulating enough savings to construct a permanent house can take years, if it is possible at all.
Housing assistance can help reduce that financial burden and make secure accommodation accessible to households that might otherwise continue living in unsafe conditions.
In Babita's case, the Rs 2.5 lakh received under PMAY, supplemented by her family's savings, made it possible to replace a fragile structure with a permanent home.
The change has had practical and emotional consequences. Her family no longer faces the same difficulties caused by a leaking roof, while Babita says her confidence and involvement in household decisions have increased.
Her experience also demonstrates that the significance of housing extends beyond ownership or construction. A secure home can provide privacy, stability and a stronger sense of belonging, particularly for women who have spent years managing households under difficult circumstances.
FROM UNCERTAINTY TO A SENSE OF BELONGING
For Babita, the most visible change is the house itself. What was once a deteriorating structure is now a permanent home where her children and grandchildren can live and gather.
But the deeper transformation is reflected in her sense of independence and the recognition she receives within her family.
The woman who once spent sleepless nights worrying about rainwater entering her house now speaks about her home with pride. She has seen her children marry, welcomed daughters-in-law into the family and watched her grandchildren grow up in more secure surroundings.
Her story is one of a long-held aspiration finally realised after decades of financial constraints.
In Lalitpur, where many economically vulnerable households continue to face challenges in securing adequate housing, Babita's experience offers an example of how targeted financial assistance can improve living conditions and strengthen a family's sense of stability.
For her, the permanent house is more than a roof over her head. It represents security after years of uncertainty, greater recognition within her family and the fulfilment of a dream she once believed might remain out of reach.
(Written by Manish Soni)
- Ends