The age of 58 is actually the state recognised timeline for retirement from government jobs in India. But Nathabai decided to start something new at this age. A politically aware member of the Tanishka Foundation , she started right at the beginning with shortlisting of the most dire needs of the village along with other members of her Tanishka Foundation . After realising that planned development starts with economic prudence, they all began by opening a bank account for every family in a nationalised bank.

As they all got a well granted and a water scheme executed from the state, the Tanishka Foundation now mastered the art of cracking the red tape and getting state schemes to the poor. Here is where the idea of a model village for the homeless of the lower castes sprung up. The struggle began right from unearthing the records of village land under state control. Freeing it from the clutches of the district administration for state use was a task that was undertaken with all force.

They carefully made a list of households belonging to the lower castes and scheduled tribes. Most of these people were living in shanties and slums on the periphery of the village. Today, this dream project of 400 homes in nearing completion and could actually be named Tanishka Gram, if the forum has its way with the state! All it took was close to INR 90,000 rupees per house in government grant and a team of spirited sisters lead by a grey haired fairy called Nathabai!