- Four cluster organizations of Bakawand received cargo and passenger vehicles.
Under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, a significant initiative has been launched to empower rural women in the Bastar region. On Wednesday, from the grand stage of the block-level Bastar Olympics, four major cluster-level organizations in the Bakawand development block were presented with cargo and passenger vehicles under the Rural Livelihood Express scheme. Regional MP Mr. Mahesh Kashyap, who was the chief guest at the distribution ceremony, handed over the keys to the women from the women’s cluster organizations and wished them well for their new ventures.
Addressing the gathering, MP Mr. Mahesh Kashyap said that the women associated with Bihan are no longer limited to the four walls of their homes; they are now going to become vehicle owners and operate their own transportation businesses. He described this as a historic step towards the economic independence of rural women and social transformation in Bastar. Under this scheme, vehicles have been provided to the Balidan Mahila Cluster Organization, Roshni Mahila Cluster Organization, Tiranga Mahila Cluster Organization, and Jagriti Aajeevika Mahila Cluster Organization in the development block.
The primary objective of the Aajeevika Grameen Express project is to strengthen the transportation system in remote rural areas. The operation of these vehicles will provide villagers with safe, accessible, and affordable travel from villages to haat-bazaars, block and district headquarters. Additionally, local products, forest produce, and agricultural materials produced by women’s groups can be easily transported to distant markets, which will not only facilitate freight transportation but also provide regular income to cluster organizations.
District Panchayat Member and Sports and Youth Welfare Chairman Mr. Banvasi Maurya, District Panchayat President Mrs. Sonbari Bhadre, District Vice President Mr. Tarun Pandey, along with other public representatives, District CEO Shweta Sahu, and district and block-level officers and employees of the National Rural Livelihood Mission were present at the program.