Lives Touched
2000 - 2005
Hooghly, Burdwan, West Bengal
The Story
“Swarnjayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana” (SGSY) is described as a holistic programme of microenterprise development in rural areas with an emphasis on organizing the rural poor into Self Help Groups. The Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India had launched SGSY in rural areas of the country and the scheme was operative from 1st April 1999. SGSY is also a group approach for the social mobilization of the poor.
Hijli INSPIRATION, with its experience in working on similar erstwhile projects, was assigned to undertake the just introduced project on the formation of Self-Help Groups and nurturing them towards holistic development following the SGSY Guidelines by the Department of Panchayat and Rural Development, Govt. of West Bengal.
Impact Points
Women mobilized and capacitated as development partners through :
- Enhanced self-confidence: SHG approach helped the individuals particularly women to build their self confidence through community action.
- Critical thinking: Mutual interactions in group and collective decision making enabled them in identification and prioritization of their needs and resources.
- Financial Inclusion: SGSY mandated “Banking the Unbanked” for meeting their savings and asset goals.
- Financial Learning: Acquired knowledge necessary to effectively manage their own financial situation leading to asset creation.
The visible impact was socio-economic empowerment of the rural poor, particular women, in improving their collective bargaining power and acting as development partners.
Champions of Change
The visible impact was socio-economic empowerment of the rural poor, particular women, in improving their collective bargaining power and acting as development partners.
Mongal Deep SGSY Dal ( Group)
10 women active in jute based item making which although has a local market , earns handsomely in fairs and melas.
Srijoni SGSY Dal ( Group)
They make a variety of Bori (Lentil and Pulse dumplings ) for the local bazaar as well as higher order markets.
Nabaddyoy Dal
Anita was initially an SHG member. However, she graduated to become a State-level trainer herself and now conducts training in various parts of West Bengal. Anita’s current status demands that she coordinates and works with DRDC too on a regular basis.