- With the help of Bihan Yojana, grocery business has become a strong foundation for family prosperity.
Pramila Didi, a resident of Kevti Gram Panchayat in the Manendragarh development block of the district, has today become an inspiring example of self-reliance, struggle, and success for rural women. Due to limited income and financial constraints, managing her family’s expenses was a major challenge. She often faced financial difficulties to meet her family’s needs. However, instead of giving up in the face of circumstances, she resolved to strengthen herself, and this resolve marked the beginning of a transformation in her life.
In 2017, Pramila Didi joined the Jai Mata Di Women’s Self-Help Group, which was formed on February 24, 2017, under the Bihan-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM). After joining the group, she regularly attended meetings, developed a savings habit, and received training on financial management, livelihood promotion, and self-employment through the group. Due to her dedication and responsibility, she was active in the group from the beginning as a bookkeeper and later also worked as a THSBTC cadre.
After joining the group, Pramila Didi first started farming by taking a loan of Rs. 2,000 from the group’s revolving fund. This small effort instilled confidence in her. Some time later, when the group received CIF funds, she took out a loan of Rs. 10,000 and opened a small grocery store in her village. This business, which began with limited capital, gradually became a reliable source for the villagers’ needs. Through her hard work, honesty, and customer trust, she has steadily grown the store.
Today, Pramila Didi’s grocery store generates a daily profit of approximately Rs. 200, giving her a monthly income of approximately Rs. 6,000. Additionally, working as a TSBTC cadre provides her with an additional income of approximately Rs. 5,000 per month. Thus, her total monthly income has reached approximately Rs. 11,000, allowing her to comfortably meet her family’s needs. Most importantly, she no longer needs to borrow from moneylenders or others.
Pramila Didi’s success isn’t limited to economic progress. She has proven that women, provided with the right guidance, training, and financial support, can transform the economic condition of their families and society. Inspired by her success, many women in the village are also joining self-help groups and adopting self-employment. Today, Pramila Didi is recognized in the village as a confident, empowered, and inspiring female entrepreneur. The
Jai Mata Di Women’s Self-Help Group has received periodic financial assistance, including revolving funds, CIF, and bank linkages, providing the women in the group with the opportunity to establish self-employment. By utilizing these resources wisely, Pramila Didi has brought positive change to her life and today, she has become the foundation of her family’s financial strength.
Pramila Didi’s journey is proof that through hard work, self-confidence, and the collective power of a group, any woman can become self-reliant. With the support of the Bihan Yojana, she not only strengthened her financial position but also became a source of inspiration for other women in her village. Her story is an inspiring example of rural women’s empowerment, self-employment, and a path towards a self-reliant India.
