New Delhi, May 1 -- This is the story of a woman in her late 20s who has been reeling under the stress of debt that accumulated to about Rs.30 lakh in almost eight years.

A series of medical emergencies and deaths in the family placed the burden of financially supporting dependents on her. Additionally, raising a toddler and poor financial advice from friends landed this young salaried professional, who did not wish to be identified, in the never-ending loop of debt.

Relief finally came in the form of a debt settlement company, which is helping her pay off Rs.19 lakh of the total debt.

The rigmarole started eight years ago, when a close relative maxed out the woman's credit card limit of Rs.2.5 lakh and refused to pay her back. She was...