Changing Their Fortunes Through Entrepreneurship

Raipur. Meaningful efforts are continuously being made towards making rural women self-reliant through the "Bihan Scheme" and the "National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM)". As a result of these efforts, women of "Vaishno Devi Shakti Mahila Swasahayata Samuh" located in village Kachhar of development block Masturi in Bilaspur are becoming economically empowered today through their hard work and collective efforts.

Under the leadership of the group's president, Mrs. Apurva Tiwari, the women of the group are manufacturing various types of household utility products. These include clinical and other daily use items. Due to the quality and hygiene of the products prepared by the group, they have good demand in the local market, due to which the women are regularly earning good profits.

Under the 'Bihan' scheme, the group received training, financial assistance, marketing, and guidance for enterprise development. This enabled the women to turn their skills into a business, and today they are selling their products in local weekly markets, fairs, and various exhibitions. This is leading to a continuous increase in their income and strengthening the family's financial condition.

Mrs. Tiwari stated that with the support of the 'Bihan' scheme and NRLM, women have got a new employment opportunity. Earlier, women were limited to household chores only, but now they are manufacturing and marketing their products themselves. This has increased their self-confidence, and they are making their own identity in society along with their families.

This success of the Vaishno Devi Shakti Mahila Swasahayata Samuh is an inspiring example for rural women. The effective implementation of government schemes is not only making women economically self-reliant but is also leading them towards a dignified livelihood and an empowered future.