Development is a multidimensional phenomenon and some of its major
dimensions are level of economic growth, level of education and level of health
services. Reports from Planning Commission, UNICEF, WHO etc. disclosed that
socio-economic development is not uniform among States and within States of
India. And, factors like level of literacy, female education, infant
mortality, maternal mortality, employment, public distribution system, etc.
contribute striking variations in the livelihood of common people within
States.
There are a number of employment
schemes which come under Ministry of Minority Affairs, Women and Child
Ministry, Tribal Ministry, Ministry of Social Justice etc and every year we
find some more schemes highlighting to cater the needs of poor people. Our
question, are poor really getting benefits of government schemes and benefits
from corporate doing CSR? What we at Rehab India Foundation noticed and analyzed
that one hand Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar pushes Bihar Model as real
model, on the other hand poor people of Bansibari and Bhodhutalachanpi are not
part of this real model.
In Assam, in the name of Bangladeshi infiltrators, Muslims, Hindus and
other people are living pathetically in the refugee camps where they are
fighting for their lives. And, inequality in Murshidabad also is in progress.
Once upon a time Murshidabad was famous for its royalty and now for its misery.
Looking, at Anandpeta Andhra Pradesh, women want to come under mainstream of
development but they do not have access to information and resources.
Team Rehab have analysed by collecting data through primary and secondary
sources that urban and population living in metros are more informed and have
access of government and other development schemes and opportunities rather
than people living in rural areas. And reason is simple; failure in
identification of need and reaching to the right people.
Observing economic vulnerability, we started to form Self Help Groups at
Bansibari Village Bihar, Bongaigaon Assam, Hajjipara Village West Bengal and
Anandpeta Andhra Pradesh. The purpose of male and female SHGs in those
locations to provide employment generation training, distributing interest free
loan, counseling etc.
Padosi SHG Programme at
Anadpeta, Guntoor District, Andhra Pradesh: In 2012, Rehab distributed loan
to thirty women in two different phases for initiating micro business such as
petty shop, tiffin shop, tailoring, marketing and selling of sarees, fruit,
rice, flowers and papad. And, each member received worth Rs. 7500/- for their
desirable small business. Other fifteen members were selected for Phase-3 of
same programme.
Village Development Programme:
We are running Village Development
Programme at Bansibari, Bihar and Hajjipara, West Bengal. Last year, we
unlocked VDP at Bansibari Village by acknowledging need of education, economic
and health reform. Here two female SHGs were formed namely ‘BEAUTY’ and
‘MUSKAN’. Beauty includes ten adolescents and women, while Muskan nine members.
All the beneficiaries of both the groups have been getting skill development
training programme in Tailoring. Paying fifty rupees per month, all the women
are learning drafting, cutting and stitching of women ethnic wears with availability
of all necessary equipments.
Including,
Rehab has formed thirteen Self Help Groups under Village Development Programme
at Hajjipara Village, Berhampore Block, West Bengal. All ninety five female
members of thirteen groups were part of thrift and saving programme. The
primary activities of the programme are savings and educational classes. SHG
Members are encouraged to open saving bank account.
Rehab Model Village,
Bongaigaon, Assam: Due to natural
calamity and ethnic violence at Assam, Rehab India Foundation unbolted Assam
Model Village and rehabilitated 45 families so far. At this Village, we have
formed three Self Help Groups with ten members in each. Male group titled as
‘REHAB SHG’, while female groups namely ‘BEAUTY’ and ‘MORONI’. The members
received loan from Rehab and performing different activities starting from
farming, supari business, cycle rikshaw, thela Van, to rearing egg, meat and
milch animals.
Conclusion:
(Padosi) SHG Programme plays a central role in the
lives of poor. As important pillar of VDPs at Bansibari and Hajjipara Village
and Rehab Model Village seem to be very successful in reaching to the poor
people. The results of the programme suggest that SHGs have been performing
better not in terms of augmenting savings, loan recovery but also in terms of
creating awareness and empowerment.
