Premdas Bairagi belongs to Pathadev village in predominantly tribal district Mandla. He owns an old bicycle, which he uses to carry heavy bags of ready-made garments ferrying surrounding villages and weekly markets. He leaves home early morning and returns in the afternoon, takes rest and again leaves for the business. An old bicycle, undaunted entreprise and countless hopes make the life joyous for Premdas.

Premdas Bairagi started his life as a daily wage earner. Gradually learnt driving skill and became driver. He used to cover long distances in trucks as clearer. For months together he used to be away from home. Finally, he chose the ready-made garment selling business. When asked why he chose this business with no previous experience, his straightforward answer was - "This is my own choice, a well-considered decision and also a respectable one. It will expand and will make my economic base sound."

Premdas Bairagi got Rs.10,000 loan through Gram Sabha to start his new business. Commending the supportive role of the MPRLP, he says, "I have got a respectable business of ready-made garment. So far, I have purchased garments for various age groups worth Rs. 8000. Blouse, kids' wears, woolen clothing, bed sheets, Salwar suits, T-shirts, under-garments. He has repaid an installment of Rs.1000 and hopes to pay off remaining amount very soon. His business is gaining pace. With increased level of confidence, Premdas says, "soon I will purchase a motor-cycle because my business has shown increasing trend." Premdas regularly visits weekly markets in surrounding villages like Jangalia, Devgao, Thamangao, but most of the items he sells during door-to-door visits.

About benefits, Premdas informed that he was a driver and used be away days together. "Now I live in village and spend time with my children. I command respect also." Premdas has two sons and a daughter. Elder son Rahul Bairagi is in second standard in Education Guarantee School. Daughter Priyanka Bairagi and younger son is Sanjay Bairagi. Premdas wants his children to study more and is happy to see his children attending school. He expresses gratitude to the Project saying that "I have been guided to tread a path and it is upto me to follow it." The story of Premdas is in fact a story of a bicycle, an enterprise and thousand hopes.

Premdas' village Pathadev is now distinctly witnessing economic change. Recently a bori-bandhan has been erected across Gaur river which originates from Katangseoni and joins Narmada near Jabalpur. Member of Project Facilitation Team Shri Rajesh Mittal informed that the bori-bandhan will ensure irrigation facility over 40-50 acre benefiting about 20 to 25 small farmers directly. The farmers informed "we had to take single crop now we could take double-crop with the irrigation facility. Besides, water would be available for vegetable cultivation in summer also. We have formed two groups and each would get a diesel pump set with the cooperation of the Project, they further informed.

Encouraged and counseled by the Project field functionaries, the villagers have also taken up organic compost manufacturing. Farmers show fairly good understanding about the use of organic manure. Livelihood Promoter Kisan Lal informed that four-pit 130 wormi-compost structures have come up in 15 villages and the compost is ready for sale. Worms could be sold at the rate of Rs. 200 to 300 per kg while the sale rate of compost would be Rs. 8 to 10 per kg. He further informed that Guruji and Sarpanch Ittulal Dhurve want to purchase the organic manure. Ittulal Dhurve said that he would purchase manure for his six-acre land from Niwas. If available in the village, the transportation cost would be saved. Besides, Sanjay Nikunj nursery at Niwas promoted by the Department of Horticulture has also placed demand to purchase the manure. The Sanjay Nikunj nursery is raising plants for the massive plantation to be taken up under the Madhya Pradesh Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Sarpanch Ittulal Dhurve believes that the organic manure prepared in the village would be consumed in the village itself. He informs that one Ramesh Prasad has three quintals of manure while Kisan Lal has one-quintal quality manure ready for sale.