- ‘Bihan’ provides financial support, Nira Rajwade moves towards self-reliance through fish farming
- Munita Self-Help Group receives loan, leases pond for 10 years, starts fish farming
The “Bihan” program, run under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, is playing a vital role in organizing women in rural areas and connecting them with sustainable livelihoods. Through self-help groups, women are provided with loans and necessary support for economic activities. As a result, women are moving towards self-reliance by starting livelihood activities tailored to their interests and local resources.
A similar inspiring story is of the women of village Puhaputra of Lakhanpur development block. Mrs. Nira Rajwade, Secretary of Munita Self-Help Group, told that after joining ‘Bihan’, she along with other women of the group has made fish farming a means of livelihood. She took a loan of Rs. 1 lakh 20 thousand for the group, and used it to start fish farming activity.
Mrs. Nira Rajwade told that the group has taken a pond on lease for 10 years. The women of the group are doing fish farming in this pond. The group is using the loan amount to further their livelihood activity. Fish farming will generate income in the future, and the economic condition of the women of the group will be strengthened.
He explained that fish farming is an activity in which the women of the group work collectively. The group plans to enhance their livelihoods through pond maintenance, fish farming-related work, and future fish sales. This will also provide local employment opportunities for the women.
Nira Rajwade explains that she wasn’t previously associated with a self-help group. At that time, she didn’t have any regular livelihood activities. After joining Bihan, she found the opportunity to work collectively through the group.
She said that after joining the group, women have found ways to engage in various activities and improve their economic status. While previously, work opportunities were limited, now through the group, women are collectively conducting livelihood activities. This has boosted their self-confidence and given them new hope for the future.
For the women of the Munita group, fish farming is not only a source of income but also an important step towards economic self-reliance. The loan received by the group is being used for production-based activities. Income from fish farming will not only strengthen the group’s financial position but also help meet the women’s personal and family needs.
Mrs. Nira Rajwade explained that after joining Bihan, she has had the opportunity to engage in economic activity on her own. Through the group, women are now moving forward to earn income through their hard work and collective efforts. She added that through such activities, the women in the group are moving towards becoming “Lakhpati Didi.”
Mrs. Nira Rajwade expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Bhaiya for the support the group received through the “Bihan” scheme. She said that by joining Bihan, women have had the opportunity to work together, receive loans, and start livelihood activities.
She added that efforts are underway to increase the group’s income through fish farming. By providing women with the opportunity to stand on their own feet, their economic role in the family has also been strengthened.
Nira Rajwade said that by joining “Bihan,” women have been given the opportunity to become self-reliant and are making efforts to improve their future. She expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Bhaiya for connecting rural women with livelihoods and empowering them economically.
This initiative by the Munita Self-Help Group exemplifies livelihood enhancement through collective efforts by rural women, efficient use of local resources, and institutional support. Through pond-based fish farming, the women in the group are moving toward developing regular income opportunities and achieving the goal of self-reliance.