BIHAN brings life-changing transformation to Smt. Kamla’s life
Smt. Kamla obtained a loan through BIHAN’s village organisation for a grocery shop and successfully repaid the loan with interest on time.
In Chhattisgarh, women are becoming self-reliant and contributing to their families’ financial stability. Rural women, in particular, are increasingly connected to self-employment opportunities. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), known as “BIHAN” in Chhattisgarh, is making significant progress in the Dantewada district. Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, noted for his sensitivity to women’s issues, has implemented numerous schemes to promote women’s self-reliance. These initiatives are enabling women to engage in self-employment alongside their domestic responsibilities.
Beyond agriculture and household chores, women are carving out distinct identities for themselves. This transformation is driven by economic empowerment, allowing them to contribute to their children’s education expenses and other family needs. A notable example is Smt. Kamla Thakur, a resident of Balud gram panchayat, 3 km from Dantewada district headquarters, who has become a success story. Initially dependent on traditional farming, Smt. Kamla formed the Divya Self-Help Group under the NRLM. The group, comprising 10 women from impoverished families, received comprehensive information about the BIHAN scheme from Community Resource Persons (CRP).
After joining the group, Smt. Kamla decided to start a small business alongside her household and farming duties. With a loan of Rs. 120,000 obtained through BIHAN’s village organisation, she opened a grocery store. Her family supported her endeavour, and she successfully repaid the loan with interest on time. Encouraged by her initial success, Smt. Kamla has since taken an additional bank loan of Rs. 50,000 to expand her business. Her newfound self-reliance has enabled her to easily manage her family responsibilities. Smt. Kamla attributes this life-changing transformation to her group with the BIHAN program.
