During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years of public service, self-reliant India and women’s empowerment have consistently been prioritized. Embodying this spirit, rural women are joining self-help groups and leveraging their skills and hard work to create livelihoods. The life of Mrs. Kunti Nishad of Purushottampur village in the Basna development block of Mahasamund district is a story of this transformation. She joined the Bihan Yojana (Bihan Scheme) and, in addition to agricultural labor, incorporated tent house operations, catering, and fish farming as her source of income. Strengthening her family’s annual income, she has taken steps towards becoming a Lakhpati Didi.
The Saraswati Mahila Self Help Group has a total of 10 members. The group received ₹15,000 as RF and ₹60,000 as CIF. She also received a third installment loan of ₹3 lakh through bank linkage. Under the guidance of the group’s President, Mrs. Manki Sidar, and Secretary, Mrs. Chandrika Sahu, the women in the group are moving towards self-reliance by engaging in various livelihood activities.
Mrs. Kunti Nishad explains that after joining the group, she began farming and operating a tent house and catering business. She also began earning income from activities like fish farming and animal husbandry. Currently, she earns approximately ₹175,000 annually from farming and approximately ₹114,000 from the tent house and catering business. This brings the family’s total annual income to approximately ₹289,000.
Given the growing income and expanding business, the group decided to purchase a tractor to facilitate the transportation of tent materials. A resolution was passed within the group and a used tractor was purchased for ₹250,000. This not only expanded the tent house business but also solved transportation problems and created new income opportunities.
Mrs. Kunti Nishad says that after joining the Bihan Yojana, her financial situation has improved significantly. Through the group, she has been given the opportunity to grow. Activities like the tent house, catering, and fish farming have increased her income. The group has expressed heartfelt gratitude for this ambitious scheme of the government.
