The Weight of Two Worlds: Mukhtar’s Road to Balance

For Mukhtar Khandakar, a resident of Howrah, West Bengal, the sun didn’t just mark the start of a workday—it marked the start of a marathon.

Mukhtar’s life was split between two very different roles. By day, he stood in his small garment shop, surrounded by shelves that were far too empty to meet the demands of a changing market. With a limited range of products, his shop brought in just ₹12,000 a month—hardly enough to sustain a family of five.

But Mukhtar’s day didn’t end when he pulled the shutters down. To make ends meet, he spent his “spare” hours navigating the crowded streets of Howrah as a rickshaw driver. It was a grueling double-hustle: the mental stress of a struggling business followed by the physical toll of manual labor.

Masawat Livelihood Foundation saw a man who wasn’t afraid of hard work; he just needed a better engine for it.

By providing the essential financial assistance to overhaul his garment stock, Masawat allowed Mukhtar to finally park the rickshaw for good. With a diverse and vibrant inventory, his shop transformed into a destination for local shoppers. His monthly income surged to ₹22,000, nearly doubling his previous earnings and bringing a level of stability his home had never known.

As he approaches the final payment of his installments in April 2025, Mukhtar stands tall in his shop—no longer a man juggling two worlds, but an entrepreneur focused on one bright future.