Sanjeevini - a powerful enabler - NRLM success stories in Karnataka by Raintree Media

SAN JEEVI NI A POWERFUL ENABLER

NRLM Success Stories in Karnataka (2019-20)

SANJEEVINI A POWERFUL ENABLER

NRLM Success Stories in Karnataka

Contents Sanjeevini Champions & Successful SHGs Page No.

MESSAGES

INTERVIEWS

Honourable Chief Minister of Karnataka

Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka

Additional Secretary & Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka

Sanjeevini Mission Director

‘A Boon to the Vulnerable’: Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka

‘A Great Model’: K Ratna Prabha, Chairperson, Karnataka Skill Development Authority & former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka ‘Catalyst for Social Change’: Dr. S Selvakumar, Secretary, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, Government of Karnataka ‘Sanjeevini - A Powerful Enabler’:

Dr. BR Mamatha, Additional Mission Director, Sakala and former Sanjeevini Mission Director

‘Affinity is the crux of SHGs’: Arvind Risbud, Executive Director, MYRADA

Page No.

Bagalkote

HAVERI

BALLARI

KALABURAGI

BELAGAVI

KODAGU

BENGALURU RURAL

KOLAR

BENGALURU URBAN

KOPPALA

BIDAR

MANDYA

CHAMARAJANAGAR

MYSURU

CHIKKABALLAPUR

RAICHUR

107

CHIKKAMAGALURU

RAMANAGARA

113

CHITRADURGA

SHIVAMOGGA

117

DAKSHINA KANNADA

TUMAKURU

121

DAVANAGERE

UDUPI

124

DHARWAD

UTTARA KANNADA

126

GADAG

VIJAYAPURA

133

HASSAN

YADGIR

134

MESSAGES

Empowered Women, Strong Society

Karnataka 1

BAGALKOTE

BENGALURU RURAL

BENGALURU URBAN

BELAGAVI

BALLARI

BIDAR

CHAMARAJANAGAR

CHIKKABALLAPUR

CHIKKAMAGALURU

10 CHITRADURGA 11 DAKSHINA KANNADA 12 DAVANAGERE

B.S. Yediyurappa Chief Minister

13 DHARWAD 14 GADAG 15 KALABURAGI 16 HASSAN 17 HAVERI 18 KODAGU 19 KOLAR 20 KOPPALA 21 MANDYA 22 MYSURU 23 RAICHUR 24 RAMANAGARA 25 SHIVAMOGGA 26 TUMAKURU 27 UDUPI 28 UTTARA KANNADA 29 VIJAYAPURA 30 YADGIR

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Sanjeevini | 7

MESSAGES

Reducing Vulnerability through Empowerment

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MESSAGES

Economic Empowerment for Progress

Sanjeevini | 9

INTERVIEW

MESSAGES

Instrument of Social Change

A Boon to the Vulnerable

Dr. CN Ashwath Narayan, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, shares his views on the implementation of Sanjeevini NRLM activities and the way ahead.

Sanjeevini’s purpose is to bring rural women into the mainstream and enhance the state's overall progress. The government intends to extend the life of the Sanjeevini Mission self help groups to every village and realise Mahatma Gandhi's dream of empowerment. How are the programmes of the NRLM being implemented in Karnataka? Has the Sanjeevini Mission been able to alleviate the unemployment of women in rural areas of Karnataka? The Sanjeevini programme is being implemented successfully in the 176 taluks of all 30 districts in the state, with the full support of our government. Sanjeevini is a boon to the women mainly in rural areas, and works for their economic, social and cultural development. Women are encouraged and supported to form self help groups, to save money and take up livelihood activities. I firmly believe that nothing is difficult if you work with a clear goal and a strong commitment. Sanjeevini is supported by grants from the Central

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and the State governments which help in institution building and extension of loans. Who are the beneficiaries of the Sanjeevini scheme? Women in rural areas who are economically backward, those who are below the poverty line, from marginalised communities such as Scheduled Caste and Tribes, Special Tribes, landless, widows, abandoned women, sex professionals, migrant workers, are the beneficiaries of the NRLM – Sanjeevini project. As members of the self help groups, they head their own business and take internal loans from the group to start their activities economically with self-reliance. This is a revolutionary project that is being implemented in rural Karnataka. Sanjeevini | 11

INTERVIEW How does the government help in the marketing of the products produced by the women SHGs?

How have the women elf help groups been helping during the COVID-19 pandemic in the state?

We provide good facilities to sell many products within the state and we help develop the demand for several products from other states. Women SHGs have participated in the trade fairs and Saras fairs in Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bhubaneswar and many other places which was helpful to showcase and market their products. The products produced by artisans of Mysuru, Uttara Kannada and Chikkaballapur districts are in demand in the northern states. There is a demand from Maharashtra for the cereal products manufactured by a woman from Shivamogga district. Similarly, there is a demand from Mumbai and other cities for the products like, rotis, peanut chutney and other products prepared by women from Bagalkote, Dharwad and Gadag districts.

The women in self help groups have been playing an important role during the pandemic, and we are proud of the fact that they rushed to the aid of the state and geared up to produce masks when there was a severe shortage of masks. It is no small feat in the face of making more than six lakh masks that were needed in the districts. I thank the women SHGs and Sanjeevini which has been the driving force behind the manufacture of masks in rural areas.

We are empowering women economically under the concept of saving, employment and selfreliance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly believes that the rural economy will grow stronger with the participation of the rural women. Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa is committed to the same philosophy in the implementation of the National Rural Livelihood Mission - the Sanjeevini project, in our state.

What are your aspirations for further empowering women SHGs? The women self help groups are empowering women in rural areas; their members contribute to the country's economy, as they grow economically, they advance the society around them and their villages towards economic development. They are working hard to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi's popular slogan Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas, Sab Ka Vishwas. Karnataka has embarked on a new era of progress. It is my dream to strengthen the self help groups in every corner of the state by increasing their efficiency and encouraging them to further pursue livelihood activities.

A Great Model

K.Ratna Prabha, Chairperson, Karnataka Skill Development Authority & former Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, hails the tremendous strides made by the NRLM, and calls for unswerving perseverance in its continuing implementation.

Women in remote villages are economically productive and socially conscious today as a direct result of the propagation of women’s self help groups. Does the model of women's self help group help empowerment of women at the grassroots level? Yes, it does. I experimented with this kind of self help group back in 1986, and it proved to be successful. Sometimes, a woman might not be in a position to do business independently, and even if she wants to do something, she may not have the confidence or encouragement from the family, or societal support. When women work together in a group, they gain confidence from each other and support each other, and together they will be able to do something. This has been my experience for a long time. What factors affect the success of self help groups in rural areas? The activities of a group certainly get better support than those of an individual woman in a village. Apart from what I said earlier about togetherness instilling

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them with confidence and support, it’s easier for groups to access finance. Banks are more willing to lend to a group and group activities are supported by the government in various forms such as working capital, revolving fund, marketing, branding and other help. The scale of production by groups is larger than that of an individual woman. A group can produce on a larger scale and the increased production helps in getting a better market. How do SHGs contribute to social, cultural and economic development of the country? The SHG gives women economic independence, and by joining a self help group, a woman does more than earn a livelihood or supplement the family income. There is a great social impact because once a woman becomes economically independent, she has the freedom to do what she wants. If she wants Sanjeevini | 13

INTERVIEW to buy something or save some money or if she wants to invest, she can use her own money. Secondly, such self help groups also work as a social pressure group on the local gram panchayat. The groups also take up social responsibilities such as mobilising attendance for an immunisation camp or participating in the Swachch Bharath Abhiyaan. Thirdly, SHGs also make women socially aware, and they learn the value of education, health, sanitation and economic independence of the girl child. They also promote good habits such as cleanliness and sending children to school, especially girls and contribute to the wellbeing of the society. Women in SHGs enter the banking system and take up productive economic activities. They buy, produce, sell and save and indirectly contribute to the GDP of the country. Please elaborate on the effectiveness of the Sanjeevini programme, as seen by your professional experience. Sanjeevini has gone to the grassroots and connected the last mile of the state. It has gone to the villages and remote areas which the government couldn’t reach earlier. It has been able to encourage cottage industries and traditional crafts that had not received much support. For example, some women’s groups are making beautiful, traditional jewellery, weaving sarees and bags and in some other places, they are making sanitary napkins at a very low cost. These women SHGS are selling their products locally and in the markets of the state and country. Women who were not a part of the economic growth of the nation are now getting involved at the village level. SHG is a wonderful programme that handholds women to become a part of the economic activity of the country. Because it’s a group activity, the women also get together, share information and participate in the rural development of their village. It's a wonderful programme where women get together, think positively and talk about the wellbeing of their families and village. How is the Skill Development Authority aligned with NRLM-Sanjeevini? We have aligned with them very closely because women need training. Sometimes, women are good

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in a particular activity but they need upskilling or skilling of whatever art or talent they have. We work together with the NRLM to ensure that they learn the latest technology to handle the products.

Catalyst for Social Change

We also help them in upscaling their business and market the products. We use our own contacts in companies such as Flipkart, Amazon or Walmart to get a better market for the product. We work as a team along with the NRLM. In your vast experience as an administrator, what is your opinion about the potential of SHGs to empower women? Has this potential been fully tapped? If not, what else needs to be done?

Dr. S Selva Kumar, Secretary, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department, Government of Karnataka, talks about the roadmap for women’s self help groups in the state.

The self help group is a very good model to empower women. It is easier to motivate a group of women than a single woman. When we tell an individual woman to venture into livelihood activities, she might think twice, but if 15 women get together, they find comfort in numbers. The SHG model goes a long way in empowering rural women. It has come a long way, but I think it can do even better and reach all the women in all the villages. We have to keep up the efforts and cannot be complacent. We have to continuously keep looking at creating more self help groups, until we reach a saturation point. The programme has a huge potential because there are many underprivileged women in tribal belts and SC/ST communities. We need to have a drive to push into those areas. We need committed workers to go to these areas and talk to the women there. Creating a self help group is not very easy; we need committed workers who can go and sit with women, talk to them and motivate them, handhold them, arrange linkages to banking, marketing, permissions, licenses etc. This needs a lot of dedication and committed workers at the grassroots level. And that is what we need now, we need to get people to go to remote parts of the country and explore and identify their potential. That is the challenge. I would like to congratulate the NRLM team for their efforts to promote Sanjeevini; they are doing a good job. I wish them good luck.

Micro-entrepreneurship of women in rural areas has led to financial inclusion, economic and social development. To build on the progress achieved thus far, the Karnataka government’s focus is on value-chain development and creation of forward-linkages. What are the contributing factors that have aided the success of rural SHGs? The key to success of self help groups lies in the very name, ‘self ’. People can succeed only through their own efforts. It’s a common fallacy that poor people need financial help and to determine how they operate, who leads them, and so on. There is considerable evidence to the contrary that indicates that community action most often succeeds when help is limited to incentives, and often non-monetary

incentives, and when outside (non-financial) resources are facilitated to enable access on the terms of the community, and not the provider. To quote the development scholar Robert Chambers, “Rural development is a strategy to enable a specific group of people, poor rural women and men, to gain for themselves and their children more of what they want and need. It involves helping the poorest among those who seek a livelihood in the rural areas to demand and control more of the benefits

Sanjeevini has 1,70,210 SHGs with 21,83,375 members in different stages of life cycle.

SHGs formed between 2014 and 2016 onto different livelihood activities and training and facilitating start-ups.

Thirty thuosand micro-enterprises were started during 2019-2020. Sanjeevini | 15

INTERVIEW of development.” Accordingly, it is important to build the capacity of the community to fulfill their needs and empower them to manage the benefits of development. The National Rural Livelihood Programme has succeeded solely because the community or the group is strengthened to take on responsibility for itself soon after its inception, and the government only plays the role of a facilitator. The NRLM programme gives importance to capacity building and social development. Groups are trained and motivated to take up a livelihood activity, either as a group or as individuals, very early in the life-cycle. Social entrepreneurship programmes address important social needs and are catalysts for social changes. What is your opinion about the role of SHGs in promoting entrepreneurship among women? Women’s empowerment can be measured by factors contributing to each of the following factors: personal, economic, familial and political empowerment. Household and interfamilial relations are included as they are believed to be a central focus of women’s disempowerment in India. Various studies show that the women have been empowered based on factors such as income, households, political, decision making etc. The SHG mechanism works by first providing easy availability of microcredit to rural women. Microcredit facility enables women to own tools and means of production to upgrade their skills and improve their business. Women are encouraged to have a habit of savings, and subsequently, group loans for specific economic purposes are provided to enable women members to start livelihood activities. While self help groups offer several benefits to women entrepreneurs and enable them to grow, the groups’ impact go beyond access to finance and employability to promote holistic and sustainable entrepreneurship. It helps uplift their social and economic status, and gives women a say in family decisions and empowers their familial status. Do you think SHG entrepreneurship can promote inclusion, social development and economic development in India? The role of women entrepreneurship in development cannot be disputed. Social entrepreneurship is widely spread across India in the form of women’s self help groups and is the need of the hour as women can contribute much to the economy of the country.

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Self help groups have benefited a lot from this programme and are able to venture into many entrepreneurial endeavours. They are able to use their talents and work with locally available materials and have learnt to market them. Thus, even as they benefit from Sanjeevini, the groups create value-addition. Women should be trained in entrepreneurship development and skills to meet the changes and challenges of global markets, and to sustain and strive for excellence in the field. SHG entrepreneurship alleviates poverty and empowers women by improving their social status. Going forward, what would be the focus of NRLM in Karnataka? A planned and sustained effort is required to ensure that rural entrepreneurship and livelihood activities are linked to markets through small community groups. China has successfully adopted the strategy of ‘one village, one product’. The Honourable Chief Minister talked about a similar approach in our state in his budget speech. What are the specific programmes that would be taken up under Sanjeevini, the Karnataka chapter of NRLM? Hitherto, Sanjeevini had concentrated more on group formation and capacity building of these groups. In 2019-20, the focus moved to livelihood promotion. Sanjeevini has 1,58,000 SHGs in different stages of life-cycle. We are now moving the older SHGs formed between 2014 and 2016 onto different livelihood activities and training and facilitating start-ups. Thirty thousand micro-enterprises were started during 2019-2020, and the target is to have at least one enterprise per self help group. We are upgrading the capacity of the dedicated call centre for SHGs and it will provide comprehensive information and assistance about all schemes offered by various government departments. In addition, we are going to set up counseling centres at the block level to help the SHGs benefit from the various schemes. We are in the process of appointing young professionals who have a background in rural development to drive livelihood promotion activities in the districts. The focus in the coming years will be on value-chain development and creation of forward-linkages for agriculture.

Sanjeevini - A Powerful Enabler

Dr. BR Mamatha, Additional Mission Director, Sakala and former Sanjeevini Mission Director, shares her insight into the purpose and progress of the programmes that have been empowering women and enabling the transformation of the lives of the poor in rural areas.

A strong movement has been changing the power equations in the hinterlands of India, thanks to the National Rural Livelihood Mission. In Karnataka too, the NRLM which has been titled Sanjeevini, has created remarkable change in rural families by focussing on women as drivers of change. A flock of migratory birds was flying over an ocean. One of the birds was so exhausted that she just couldn’t fly any further. Her wings were losing strength and she struggled to flap them and keep up with her friends. She looked eagerly for the shore, but wherever she turned there was only a large expanse of water. When the pain in her wings became excruciating, she just let go and fell straight into the ocean. Closing her eyes, she prepared to die as she began to sink to the bottom of the ocean. 1,70,210 SHGs, 21,559 WLFs and 4,286 GPLFs

A whale who was watching from a distance, dashed across, lifted the bird on her back, and quickly swam up to the surface. As she began to swim to the shore, the little bird thanked her stars for this stroke of good luck. Soon the whale reached the shore. After silently thanking the whale the little bird flew off onto a branch of a small tree and started looking around. The welcoming warm sun, the beautiful fruit 30,000 micro-entrepreneurs dabbling in different livelihood sectors in the Sanjeevini family

Dispersed Rs.36,774.86 lakh CIF for providing financial support for livelihood activities of Sanjeevini women Sanjeevini | 17

trees, gurgling stream and green meadows were all different from what she had been so looking forward to when she was flying off with her friends. Her life had taken a wonderful turn. The whale watched her from a distance and swam off after ensuring the little bird had taken well to her new environment and was flying around chirping. Aren’t we also like the little bird? Flying over the ocean of life, sometimes in our journey we get caught in a storm or a hurricane and encounter devastating problems. At times when our wings give away and we lose the will to carry on, a helping hand or a small twig may give us a new lease of life. In the pages that follow we bring stories of women who, with their sheer grit and perseverance braved the storm of poverty and emerged stronger with a new life. The little bird in the story could be Bindiya Amber from Pakshirajapura, or Bhavani from Melkote, Asha from Tagachagere village, Kalavathi of Vibhuthipura, Ashwini of Karimane, Mangalagowri of Vanvarike, Lalithamma Badiger of Hanumasagar, Bibi Fathima of Hungund or Devi Bai of Rajenahalli, or Nagamma of Tulijapuraidar or Noorjahan of Navoor, Ratnamma of Shibaje, or Suvarna Mahendra of Kadachira, or Rathnavva of Hulageri, or any of the thousands of women from villages in the 30 districts of Karnataka. These women are champions who have transformed not only their lives but also of many others by their hard work and entrepreneurship. They are also responsible for bringing about social, cultural, economic and environmental transformation of their villages. The whale in the story is Sanjeevini/Karnataka Rural Livelihood Promotion Society, the Karnataka Chapter of National Rural Livelihood Mission. Sanjeevini has created a silent revolution bringing in social, economic and cultural transformation in the lives of lakhs of rural women in Karnataka.

Sanjeevini’s mission works towards reducing poverty by providing gainful wage and self employment opportunities through community institutions resulting in sustainable improvement in their livelihoods and to enhance their standard of living. Sanjeevini rests on the belief that: (i) The poor have a strong desire to come out of poverty, and they have innate capabilities. (ii) Social mobilization and building strong institutions of the poor is critical for unleashing the innate capabilities of the poor. (iii) An external dedicated and sensitive support structure is required to induce the social mobilization, institution building and empowerment process and (iv) Facilitating knowledge dissemination, skill building, access to credit, access to marketing, and access to other livelihoods services underpins this upward mobility. Sanjeevini ensures a multi-dimensional approach to poverty reduction, especially among the poorest of the poor, and provides sustained support. Sanjeevini mobilises women from the poorest, the excluded and marginalised groups and communities into small self help groups to achieve identity, solidarity, capability/capacity to access rights, entitlements and programmes, improved well-being (life and livelihoods) and freedom (choice) in order to progress out of their poverty. Till date, we have formed 1,61,362 self help groups (SHG), 20,596 Ward Level Federations (WLF) and 4,088 Grama Panchayat Level Federations (GPLF) and dispersed Rs.36,774.86 lakh Community Investment Funds (CIF) for providing financial support for livelihood activities of Sanjeevini women. There are more than 30,000 micro-entrepreneurs dabbling in different livelihood sectors in the Sanjeevini family. Livelihood activities in Sanjeevini are not about income generation alone but are also a means to enable overall women empowerment. The income is only to supplement her role, and what is most critical

is Sanjeevini’s task of identity creation, be it within the family or in society or in public institutions such as government, banks etc. The recognition of women as potential resources such as Community Resource Person (CRPs) in state lead programmes is a complete shift from the supremacy of elites. It also addresses the phenomenon of ‘disempowerment’ to bring in social development. Be it society, market or even by state, disempowerment is a consequence of insecurity. Sanjeevini works

Women’s Empowerment through Rural Livelihoods = Identity + Income – Insecurity

It begins with ‘Self ’ Unlike most government poverty alleviation programmes, in which the community mobilisation process towards development issues is more a forced initiative by the government mechanism, community participation in Sanjeevini is voluntary and self-motivated. Communities own their development process. Sanjeevini aims to mainstream mobilisation and inclusion of the poorest, excluded and marginalised rural households into their institutions on a saturation basis as early as possible and universalise social, financial and livelihoods/ economic inclusion interventions including access rights, entitlements and schemes/programmes to them on priority. These Social Inclusion and Social Development(SISD) processes, help the families from the poorest, excluded and marginalized groups and communities to achieve identity, solidarity, capability/capacity to access rights, entitlements and programmes, improved well-being (life and livelihoods) and freedom (choice) in order to progress out of their poverty. Another unique feature of this programme is that

Our Successes

SHG members are involving in cotton bag making activity

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towards removing insecurity. For example, the Bagalkote District Sanjeevini unit provided livelihood and other interventions to over 2000 children of Devadasis. Uttara Kannada Sanjeevini unit’s intervention with erstwhile sex workers, and the Ramanagara, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru Sanjeevini units brought about social change through livelihood initiatives among primitive tribal women.

During 2019-20, Sanjeevini implemented several livelihood pilots in convergence with various Government Schemes / Programmes / Missions,

it gives special attention to disabled persons, and a disabled person of any gender can join the SHG and get all their entitlements. Through Social Inclusion initiatives, NRLM aims to reach vulnerable sections of the community such as Schedule Caste (SC), Schedule Tribe (ST), Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), minority groups, people living in extremist affected areas, hill terrains, trafficked women, people engaged in unhygienic occupations, people from poor economic backgrounds, people with disability, women headed families, elderly persons, families with persons suffering from chronic sickness etc. and bring them in the fold of SHGs and further into higher forms of institutions of the poor to ensure their access to services like – savings, credit, livelihoods support, accessing schemes and entitlements meant for them, including use of NRLM resources for creating sustainable social environments for the poor. Social development interventions aim at addressing poverty gaps by focusing on Maternal, Child Health and Nutrition; Reproductive Health; Child Immunization; and other issues like Sanitation and Health Care Financing.

community organizations and civil society. The Chief Executive Officers of some districts have piloted and taken ownership of some innovative livelihood programmes such as Mission 55 in Uttara Sanjeevini | 19

Kannada, poultry in Chikkaballapur, handloom clusters in Gadag, cotton bags in Bengaluru Urban, sanitary napkins in Ramanagara, Chikkaballapur and Mysuru districts, Sanjeevini cafés in Gadag and Mysuru, handicraft cluster in Mysuru, jute cluster in Vijayapura and Bagalkote, chikki production in Uttara Kannada, Sanjeevini Highway hubs in Dakshina Kannada, roti production in Mysuru, home shops in Mysuru, flower cluster and coir and rope making in Tumakuru. Eventually, the learning will be integrated into Sanjeevini across the state during 2020-21. Sanjeevini focuses on linkages and convergence with other departments and ministries for social development to ensure SHG women can get their entitlement of various government programmes. SHGs are encouraged to participate in Gram Sabha and place their opinion and application for entitlements. Sanjeevini women participation in Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) contributed to the success of the people plan process. Sanjeevini acts as an information hub and

provides services at the doorstep of poor households for effective social inclusion and also provides information about other social development to address other factors associated with poverty, as was undertaken in Uttara Kannada district under Mission 55. Sanjeevini women work as Krishi Sakhi, Pashu Sakhi, Matsya Sakhi and Bank Sakhi and ensure SHG women get all entitlements. Sanjeevini promotes bank linkages and insurance through SHGs by educating and creating awareness among poor women. A gender equality, women’s rights and empowerment approach to livelihoods, which includes: security and freedom from violence for women, resources and capabilities – ensuring use, access control and ownership of resources and entitlements by women by linking them to social protection schemes, and voice and agency strengthening women’s identity as citizens of the country and as economic actors; promoting decision making and increasing engagement of women in leadership roles.

Market Exposure & Linkages Sanjeevini women are provided all kinds of market exposure, training and linkages. Sanjeevini women were financed to participate in National and International Trade fairs, SARAS fairs all over the country and allocated to stalls in Malls and Metro Santhes. Surekha from Sri Kannadathi Sanjeevini SHG from Afzalpur, Kalaburagi made tremendous sales, got pan-India and international orders for sanitary napkins. Dakshina Kannada Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat created two Highway Hubs which are pit stops for food on the highway, with stalls allotted to different SHG micro-enterprises. Sanjeevini SHG products are registered on the Government e-market Place (GEM). Janani Sanjeevini SHG from Cholanayakanahalli GPLF received the very first SHG order for cotton bags from the Chemical and Fertilizer Ministry Government of India on GEM. Chamarajanagar and Uttara Kannada Sanjeevini teams have brought tribal community families under

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the aegis of financial inclusion by enabling access to a wide range of financial services including savings, credit, pension, insurance, remittances based on systematic linkages and coordination with the local branches of banks. The initial focus of the programme was on economic empowerment and later, the community was motivated to engage in other social development activities. They provided the indigenous people training for enhancing the quality of the forest produce they pick and market through the VAN DHAN programme. The women members of Sanjeevini participate in all community activities. During the recent floods in several districts, Sanjeevini women worked with district administrations to provide food and other support to the flood-affected. The corona pandemic saw SHGs from all districts mobilising to produce masks to meet the demands of the district administration.

Future programmes Change does not come on its own. Sanjeevini could not have achieved what it has been able to without the concerted hard work and struggle of all these women. Behind all these stories are people who believed that to run one needs to walk first. Sanjeevini, devoid of any kind of subsidy, has made unique evolutionary strides and is well on its way to make our Chief Minister’s dream of ‘One Village, One Product’ a reality soon. Our aim is to add transgenders and people with disabilities into existing SHGs located in their villages in order to motivate them into livelihood activities and provide community support for their activities. On the anvil, are plans to geotag and map all SHGs in Karnataka on a single platform. This platform will have all details of all SHG members, the livelihood activities and the family income etc. In addition, Sanjeevini is in the process of designing and developing an e-commerce platform for online marketing. As Sanjeevini works in close collaboration with Gram Panchayats, 2020-21 strategies for PRI-CBO convergence have been planned. More intensified strategies for convergence with other government departments are also on the cards. In order to counsel SHG women about livelihood and other activities including convergence activities with other government activities, Sanjeevini will be starting counselling centres in all 176 blocks. This way we shall ensure all SHGs get all their entitlement from all government departments. We are in the process of appointing young

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professionals who have a background in rural development to drive livelihood promotion activities in the districts. We are strengthening community based infrastructure and capacity by identifying and training more Community Resource Persons and setting up Community Resources Centres in 6 taluks on a pilot basis. Change comes when we walk together towards a common goal. We invite women to reach our call centre at 8088482105 and get guidance in the various programmes that have been set up to enable and empower women. We are upgrading the capacity of the dedicated call centre for SHGs and it will provide comprehensive information and assistance about all schemes offered by various government departments. In addition, we are going to set up counseling centers at the block level to help SHGs benefit from the various schemes. We are in the process of appointing young professionals who have a background in rural development to drive livelihood promotion activities in the districts. The focus in the coming years will be on value-chain development and creation of forward-linkages for agriculture. We are forming Organic Farm Clusters, Custom Hiring Centres and Dairy Farm Clusters. In Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi, we are setting up Mangrove Conservation Clusters and Fisheries Clusters. Sanjeevini cafes, mobile cafes, mobile shops, flower auction centres, home shops, handicrafts and handloom clusters are on the cards. The idea is to ensure every SHG / SHG member should have a source of self employment. Sanjeevini would, true to its name, ‘Rejuvenate’ the life of poor, rural women.

We invite women to reach our call centre at 8088482105 and get guidance in the various programmes that have been set up to enable and empower women. We are upgrading the capacity of the dedicated call centre for SHGs and it will provide comprehensive information and assistance about all schemes offered by various government departments.

Sanjeevini | 21

INTERVIEW

Affinity is the Crux of SHGs MYRADA (Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency)

A pioneer in the field of sustainable development, MYRADA (Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency) is an NGO that's been active since 1968. Over the last 50 years, it has consistently helped the underprivileged in building their own institutions. MYRADA focuses on five domains - livelihood promotion, natural resource management, health & sanitation, vocational education and capacity building. This actionist NGO works in 1500-2000 villages, in 18 districts across south India, and soon starts work in Maharashtra. Arvind Risbud, Executive Director, MYRADA talks about the organisation’s experience in promoting SHGs as part of livelihood promotion.

“The crux of success of SHGs is the affinity of a collective of women who share common goals. Our work is centred on the woman as the key driver of the family unit. We operate through the woman of the house to look after the healthcare, education and agriculture-related activities.” How effective are SHGs in improving livelihood security and gender empowerment? We call the activities of self help affinity groups, their federations, and federations of their federations, as the CMRC – Community Managed Resource Centres. We have promoted about 100 CMRCs so far. Each CMRC stands for about 100 to 150 SHGs and represents around 2,000-3,000 women, in total about 200,000-300,000 women.

When we first began to work, we realised that the problem of poverty was not being addressed in rural India; the crux of poverty alleviation in a rural setting is the willingness and ability of the person / family to work without having to depend on others to provide livelihoods. Our focus became centred on the woman of the house as she has the motivation, ability and inclination to start saving, while looking at herself not as an individual but as a part of the bigger group.

The CMRC is a registered entity now, owns assets and provides a great variety of services to its members, who are the SHGs. 70% of our CMRCs are now economically independent, they don’t need assistance. They have their own savings account, they have their own money, they earn money, they have their assets like office buildings, vehicles, etc.

Our job was to bring such women together and show them the possibilities. The affinity between similarly placed women is very crucial. If a group of 15-20 women with a common agenda and goal come together, they have a better chance of appreciating what is possible for them to do in the short term and if they understand the advantage of sticking to

22 | Sanjeevini

this affinity, they have a better future. Groups which have true affinity have survived and done very well as they have understood that what can’t be achieved as an individual can be done through a group. SHGs have made women more confident than ever before. 99% of the groups are all-women groups, and it has been proved that women groups are more stable, with affinity being one of the factors. Over the past 3 decades, we have seen SHGs shift from taking loans of Rs.5,000 - Rs.6,000 to Rs.2 lakh - Rs.2.5 lakh, and the recovery rate remains 98-99%. Prior to the forming of SHGs even when a woman did most of the work, she was never part of the decision making. The man would decide what crop to plant or the price, and the woman was supposed to help him. But now women are playing a key role in matters such as a daughter’s education and agricultural investment and this strength that has now come as a result of SHG. Now you see, this gets translated into money, confidence, and willingness to take on a collective decision. And this goes on for years when they realise, ‘if somebody can grow, so can I’. Affinity and the willingness to work collectively over a long period of time, is the intrinsic strength of SHGs. Confidence building has had a significant impact. We insisted at the time of forming the SHGs that there should be a rotation of office bearers. This has worked well most of the time. Now, the members are very confident and don’t need anybody’s help. Has the growth of SHGs in India any impact on the standard of living in India? Generally speaking, at least in south India, visible poverty has reduced, due to many contributing factors, including SHGs, which have given access to the needy for easy loans. They were able to accelerate the process where the poorest of the lot could get a chance to take on something, try out something and earn a little more. One of MYRADA’ s learnings was that the poor definitely know how to manage resources, and it is managed by the woman in a family. We have only given them a push through the concept of SHGs, and encouraged them to take on the risks. What is the role of SHGs in combating social problems?

Spectacular changes happen when confidence builds up over a period of time and these changes are sustainable if the woman involved continues playing that role. Rural problems begin by discriminating against the girl child in matters such as property rights and decision making rights. Now because of the strength of SHGs, things have considerably changed. In all the areas where we work now, there are no child marriages. We have worked to rehabilitate devdasis in Belgavi and 4,000 devdasis are now self reliant. Similarly, in the outbreak of HIV in the early 2000s, MYRADA worked with the health department to help female sex workers in rural Karnataka. The SOUKHYA groups of female sex workers were formed on the same logic as SHGs. Unlike SHGs, the Soukhya members didn’t lack money, but they had problems such as their children’s future, security, safety etc. We followed the same model as CMRC and SHG, and the SOUKHYA groups also became partners with the government's health department schemes for tackling HIV. What is necessary for SHGs to be an effective vehicle for socio-cultural changes? Change can’t be forced from outside. Self help has to be evolving and it cannot be imposed from outside, and it should be done at a pace which is comfortable for them. The group members’ inclination has to be the driver; the clarity with which a group begins to work, to say I don’t want anything for free, but I want an opportunity to work, is important. The concept of giving freebies is negative for sustained growth. How effective are interventions such as loans / training, etc. given to SHGs? Have they had the necessary impact / met the targets in health, finance, agriculture and empowerment? Training is a way of making people think. And this has to be done repeatedly. In the initial stages, the amount of discipline required to sit together and decide what you want to do, individually and collectively, and why should we be sitting collectively, are more important. After the training or orientation is given, loans provide the opportunity to convert whatever they have learned into reality. To that extent loans are necessary, but not freebies. Sanjeevini | 23

Districts' statistics Sl. No.

District

No. of SHGs

No. of SHG members

Community Investment Fund

No. of Ward Level Federation (WLF)

No. of SHG members in Ward Level Federation (WLF)

No. of Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF)

No. of SHG members in Gram Panchayat Level Federation (GPLF)

Total No. of Cadres

No. of SHGs who received CIF

AMOUNT (Rs. in lakhs)

Revolving Fund

No. of SHGs

Amount

Bagalkote

4986

60928

591

4710

125

4696

485

834

741.00

862

128.9

Ballari

3052

50557

396

2574

2533

331

272

238.50

406

60.7

Belagavi

5571

82070

656

4900

105

4863

539

1528

1389.00

394

58.4

Bengaluru Rural

6988

84102

827

5597

175

5501

1014

264

227.00

1629

243.45

Bengaluru Urban

6132

73497

619

4667

134

4656

815

46.25

1205

180.75

Bidar

4213

48602

507

3794

102

3625

367

866

818.00

1027

154.05

Chamarajanagar

4570

55613

623

3315

155

3185

460

799

818.75

1184

177.45

Chikkaballapur

5164

72501

457

4101

102

4037

365

1097

1050.25

689

103.35

Chikkamagaluru

4209

51515

511

3804

100

3747

463

778

720.50

845

125.1

Chitradurga

3091

31660

268

2217

296

519

445.75

545

79.9

Dakshina Kannada

5154

66596

631

4792

114

4785

724

1000

950.00

1099

162.05

Davanagere

5050

59839

686

4958

166

4958

573

1081

875.75

395

58.5

Dharwad

5326

73932

774

5031

175

5010

578

1801

1672.25

1031

154.65

Gadag

2450

31324

284

2299

2228

211

326

257.50

513

76.95

Hassan

5732

61697

556

5626

122

5604

1202

1681

1553.80

1563

230.95

Haveri

5290

68353

746

5086

161

5073

438

582

510.50

1476

221.4

Kalaburagi

11639

162322

1551

11012

267

11001

1094

2370

2164.50

943

140.55

Kodagu

4549

47035

825

3834

205

3731

395

376

354.00

980

146.35

Kolar

1950

23894

316

1713

1708

303

566

481.00

218

32.1

Koppal

2397

29498

384

1854

1517

203

432

399.00

675

101.25

Mandya

6676

77368

799

6548

153

6438

1158

2898

2897.05

1144

171.25

Mysuru

8411

118890

1232

9864

200

9755

634

1862

1583.50

917

136.85

Raichur

11197

153974

1397

10391

266

10345

1711

3362

3344.40

1524

223.8

Ramanagara

2752

31529

369

2282

2272

288

392

364.00

1216

182.15

Shivamogga

5201

78286

628

4998

105

4875

544

1385

1166.75

640

92.7

Tumakuru

9740

128192

1159

9070

208

9070

764

1513

1315.75

580

86.75

Udupi

13969

179379

1925

14245

331

14131

1405

4603

4515.55

1924

288.45

Uttara Kannada

3039

37901

350

1730

1677

266

338

268.00

316

46.35

Vijayapura

9529

113039

1144

8999

231

9169

1287

3125

2579.25

1186

176.6

Yadgir

2272

30303

349

2133

2123

333

660

632.00

828

123

170299

2184396

21560

156144

4286

154530

19246

37359

24 | Sanjeevini

34379.55

27954

4164.7

Sanjeevini | 25

KSRLPS Key Performance Indicators Sl. No. 1

Key Performance Indicators No. of other SHGs brought under NRLM fold (Pre-NRLM/Revived)

Total SHGs brought under NRLM

No. of WLFs formed

No. of SHGs holding membership in WLF

NRLM ACHIEVEMENTS

Cumulative Achievement (Since Inception)

2014-2015 TO 2019-2020 (SINCE INCEPTION)

138747 170329 21580 156228

No. of Villages covered - Cumulative 35000

15000

No. of LCRPs trained

5674

10000

No. of MBKs trained

2914

5000

Block resource persons trained

1040

No. of SHGs trained

153787

No. of WLFs trained

14799

No. of GPLFs trained

3709

No. of SHGs received Community Invest Fund (CIF)

44799

Amount of CIF provided (Rs. in Lakhs) to SHGs

No. of GPLFs provided Start up Fund

Amount of start up fund provided (Rs. in Lakhs)

No. of bankers provided orientation/training

1453.71 19327

No. of SHGs audited

35062

No. of WLFs audited

506

No. of GPLFs audited

712

No. of SHGs credit Linkage during the year (first as well as repeat credit linkages)

Amount of Bank Credit disbursed by Banks (in Rs. Lakhs)

No. of Villages Covered

No. of Households Covered

No. of Accounts of SHGs

170326

Individual member Account

645932

No. of Bank Managers Trained

No. of branches where CBRM committee formed

Members covered under insurance schemes

26 | Sanjeevini

100000 14915

7602

80000 60000

9495

40000

4185

20000

1375

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

House Holds covered ( In Lakhs) - Cumulative

32061 2192934

19370 933

2015-16

2016-17

15677 2014-15

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

170326

160000 140000

15.82

120000

100000

89096

80000

10 5.2

4.84

40000

2.03 2014-15

56808

60000

6.56

29502

20000 2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2030562 3840165.23

35538

No. of SHG opened bank account - Cumulative

21.92

48688

40046

180000

5844

117190

120000

20000

4292

38510.71

140000

25000

No. of GPLF formed

170329

160000

30000

SHGs Promoted - Cumulative

180000

32061

2019-20

39694

10691 2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

Individual Bank account opened Cumulative(In Lakhs) 12

11.13

10 8

7.28

6 4 2.48 2 0

1.06

1.28

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

375026 Sanjeevini | 27

GPLF Formed - Cumulative

Year wise Bank loan (In Lakhs)

Cumulative No. of GPLF trained

5000

4000 4292

4500

3709

3500

4000 3500

2982

3000

2000

1500

1500 863

1000 500

1075 740

500

134

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

120000

250000

5594

20000

1147 2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

100000

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

6592 2014-15

10981 2015-16

2018-19

2019-20

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

Cumulative No. of Bank Managers Trained 375026

25000

19370

20000 263656

16439

17528

15000 186681 10000

100000

72305

80864

2015-16

2016-17

5000

50000

15376 2016-17

2017-18

150000

34325

40000

156167

150000

200000 70175

60000

3779

369783

229209

221099

200000

350000 300000

80000

4541

250000 399179

Insurance for SHG members - Cumulative

140000

10000

300000

400000

100000

5000

2019 -20

153787

160000

15190

595661

638979

50000

180000

20000

400000

200000

No. of SHGs trained- Cumulative 21580

678

No. of WLF formed - Cumulative 25000

15000

471

279

2019-20

400000

1090

1000

412713

437820

350000

600000

2000

487494

500000 450000

911312

800000

2500

1061102 1000000

3000

Year wise No. of SHGs bank linkage

1200000

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

2014-15

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

119 2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

Cumulative CIF amount (in Lakhs) 45000 38510.7

40000 35000 30000 25000 20000 12509.52 13306.06

15000 10000 5000 0

28 | Sanjeevini

6323.9

8788.15

806.3 2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

2018-19

2019-20

Sanjeevini | 29

Bagalkote

Champion

SHG

Integrity in Growth

Staple of Success

Shree Indira Gandhi Sanjeevini Mahila Sangha, Badami taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Ratnavva Vaddara, Badami taluk

Sanjeevini has changed the course of Ratnavva Vaddara's life, transforming a helpless woman who was resigned to a life of poverty into a bold and independent person in full control of her life. By charting a successful path as an entrepreneur, this woman in Bagalkote district has become a model for SHG members.

Ratnavva Vaddara acknowledges that her success is due to Sanjeevini, for being the force that energised her life.

Ratnavva’s journey to success began with a hundred rupees, after she became a member of Sri Padmavati Sanjeevini Ward Level Union, formed under the Sanjeevini NRLM Scheme during 2018-19. This union comes under the Hulageri gram panchayat, Badami taluk, Bagalkote district.

with which she purchased a solar-powered roti making machine. Ratnavva independently supplies rotis to markets in Vijayapura and Hubballi, and dhabas on the highway. She also caters to weddings and other large gatherings, earning up to Rs.8,000 per month.

After becoming a member of the union, she started the Huligammadevi SHG and began saving at the rate of Rs.100 per month. Motivated by the fact that a small step had helped her financial status considerably, she took up more work.

While her financial status has been gradually on the rise, socially too, she is now a person to reckon with, and her success has inspired many other women to strive and make a success of their lives as well.

Ratnavva was granted a loan of Rs.1 lakh from the Collective Capital Fund under the Sanjeevini scheme

Ratnavva has proved that anything can be achieved with determination and hard work, and of course, the timely help of Sanjeevini.

Maintaining the integrity of handmade products while continuing to expand their markets is a challenge that members of the Shree Indira Gandhi Sanjeevini Mahila Sangha are handling confidently. It contributes to the ‘Plastic-free India’ initiative by distributing cotton bags to local shops, and in the wake of the deadly COVID-19, it has also begun making masks.

Dr. BR Mamatha, former Sanjeevini Mission Director, displays a cotton bag made by the SHG.

Ms. Gangubai Manakar, CEO, Bagalkote ZP, examines products made by the SHG.

Sanjeevini Interventions: SHG members received technical training in manufacturing bags

Underwent a month-long training programme in manufacturing school bags

Guided to attend exhibitions and fairs nation-wide

Zilla Panchayat placed orders for 700 bags

30 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 31

SHG CIF: Rs.75,000

Stitching Self Reliance

Loan of Rs.75,000 for capital investment under Sanjeevini in 2016-17

Shree Lakshmi Stree Shakti SHG, Badami taluk

Bonus of Rs.15,000 from Suttu Nidhi Scheme Interest-free loan of Rs.4 lakh from Kayak Ayojan scheme, facilitated by the state government Infrastructure: workspace provided by the Gram Panchayat Increase in production: From 30 jute bags to 60 jute bags per month

Using their combined knowledge, this group of women in Bagalkote district are constantly seeking to better their skills on their path to economic empowerment.

Average monthly sales in 2020: Rs.30,000

The Shree Indira Gandhi Sanjeevini Mahila Sangha in Katageri village, Badami taluk of Bagalkote district consists of 10 women who make cotton bags and Ilkal sarees. Bhagirathi Meti is the president of the SHG which has obtained the membership of Sri Vaishnavi Sanjeevini Ward Level Federation of Katageri, Bagalkote district, at the level of Chamundeshwari Sanjeevini GPLF. Members received technical and vocational training, and with the financial aid received under the Sanjeevini scheme, kick-started the production of bags and sarees in 2017. The raw materials used for the bags are primarily velvet, jute and cotton, mostly sourced from the local markets. The SHG majorly depends on governmentsponsored exhibitions and local shops for sales channels and talks about the competition who sell machine-made bags tagging them as hand-made. “Although the finishing of readymade bags may be better, hand-made bags have a longer life than the readymade ones”, says Bhagirathi.

It has participated in several expos like the Kolkata International Mega Trade Fair, Delhi International Mega Trade Fair, Bengaluru Trade Fair and Bhubaneswar International Mega Trade Fair and has established a robust market for its products. Sanjeevini has registered the SHG on the Government eMarket and members say that they look forward to an increase in business, citing the example of an SHG in Bengaluru Urban that got orders from the Government of India. The group’s efforts have been recognized by the CEO of Bagalkote Zilla Panchayat, Gangubai Manakar, who is an enthusiastic supporter of women in self help groups. “Sanjeevini had organised training programmes that we attended and it helped us ideate, expand and diversify our product portfolio. We are looking forward to additional training from resource persons”, says Bhagirathi Meti, president of the SHG.

Dr. BR Mamatha, former Sanjeevini Mission Director, at a SHG stall.

Sanjeevini Interventions: The SHG members have been provided training in various livelihood activities and bookkeeping.

CIF

The SHG has been provided financial support in terms of CIF.

: Rs.75,000

Infrastructure : The group is presently working on land provided by the Gram Panchayat

Increase in production : The group used to manufacture 40 to 50 jute bags a month Production increased progressively and is now 110 a month

Average earnings

: Rs.16,500

Located in Katageri village of Badami taluk, Shree Lakshmi Stree Shakti SHG was started by ten women in 2013. The group manufactures jute bags and women’s handbags from locally sourced materials and the finished products are also supplied to shops within the district. Having grown in strength and capacity - it now has a robust team of 23 members and has the capacity of producing 110 bags each month, the SHG has plans to scale up. Members have identified a place to build

32 | Sanjeevini

Ms. Gangubai Manakar, CEO, Bagalkote ZP inaugurates a stall.

a workshed with assistance from the Gram Panchayat. Apart from this, they are also seeking to improve the quality of their products. Says SHG president Sheela Meti, “The finish of our bags needs improvement and training can help us a great deal. We also need financial aid and guidance to keep doing better, and we look to Sanjeevini for both.” The women of the group dream of growing their business to benefit more women and their families. Sanjeevini | 33

Ballari

Champion

Cleansed of Poverty

Colourful Path Sanjeevini Champion: Hasanabhi, Harapanahalli taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Uma Shanbhogar, Huvinahadagali taluk

Ballari district experiences very high temperatures but is also witnessing a pleasant development, with a surge of women willing to learn new skills and work hard to become self employed and successful. Uma Shanbhogar is one such woman who has found a new direction in life, after joining a Sanjeevini self help group.

Be they ever so humble, it’s natural for human beings to adorn themselves. Providing colourful bangles to women of her village has been the path to sustainable livelihood for this woman in Ballari district, with Sanjeevini’s help.

“The bangle business has changed my life; our finacial and social status has improved”, says Hasanabhi.

“We are now leading a more fruitful life and are free from poverty. I have experienced success and my desire is for every woman to lead a self sufficient life, just like me”, says Uma, who has become a role model in the village.

Uma Shanbhogar is the chief breadwinner in a financially backward family in Uttangi village. She used to run a petty store, but as it barely made ends meet, she needed to look for another source of income. One day, she remembered Sanjeevini's self employment scheme which was introduced at the weekly meeting of the Sri Siddeshwara self help group by the Master Community Resource Person. When the Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan was launched in 2014, Uma noticed that the demand for phenyl went up significantly in the rural areas and she decided to capitalize on this by starting a phenyl making unit.

34 | Sanjeevini

With savings of Rs.14,500 and borrowings from the SHG, she was able to finance the phenyl unit. She sought the help of the Sanjeevini non-farm team to help her in packaging, marketing and maintaining quality standards. The team sent her various videos to help her learning, and also helped her sell phenyl on various online and offline platforms . With several such assistance from Sanjeevini, Uma is now able to earn Rs.5000 each month. She is able to provide for her family and there is a substantial improvement in their living standard. She is also helping other women to learn to manufacture phenyl and is educating them about livelihood activities.

Hasanabhi, of Bagali gram panchayat in Harapanahalli taluk in Ballari district, used to work as a daily wager along with her husband Abdul Saab, but their combined earnings were not sufficient to run the family. The Sanjeevini NRLM programme provided a lifeline to her family when Hasanabhi became a member of Sri Sanjeevini SHG under the Sri Banashankari Ward Level Federation. Realising that life could be better, she reached out for services provided by the programme. By saving Rs.100 each month, she accumulated Rs.3,000 and approached the Sanjeevini team with a plan to become a bangle seller. The financial inclusion team helped her secure a loan of Rs.25,000 from the

community investment fund; this combined with her savings was enough for her to start a small business of selling bangles. Soon, she began earning Rs.5,000 a month and has also been able to repay the loan. She intends to expand her business by opening up a fancy store in the village, with Sanjeevini’s help . Apart from running her business, Hasanabhi also serves as the president of the WLF and encourages SHGs to make optimum use of CIF made available to them. She guides and trains women in using the funds, and has become a role model to the women in her village and surrounding villages as well .

Sanjeevini | 35

Belagavi

Champion

Stepping Ahead Making the most of an opportunity has led this woman in Madhabhanvi village in Belagavi district to a comfortable life, with social acknowledgements and economic prosperity.

“We had very dark days when it was difficult to provide food for the family. We have overcome those problems with the help of Sanjeevini. Participating in SARAS fairs has turned out to be a boon for us”, says Maya Arun Honakhande.

Maya heard about the Sanjeevini NRLM from relatives in the neighbouring taluk, and attended a GPLF meeting chaired by the Sanjeevini Taluk Mission Management Unit staff to get a better understanding of the programme. After the meeting, Maya was convinced that Sanjeevini could help her and other women in her village who were in distress. A few of them got together to form the Sri Siddeshwara self help group in 2011, and Maya became its representative. Like any other SHG under the NRLM ambit, the savings of the group was Rs.100 per week and

CEO's Note

Access to Funds

Sanjeevini Champion: Maya Honakhande, Athani taluk

Maya’s husband was a daily wager; as his earnings did not suffice for the family, after the day’s work, Arun used to weave Kolhapuri leather footwear to earn more money. As he worked late into the night, Maya was concerned about his health and began to work with him to reduce the burden.

Bengaluru Rural

the cumulative savings stood at Rs.12,120. Meanwhile, Maya realised that there was not much local demand for the Kolhapuri footwear in their surroundings and that they needed a larger market area in order to make the business sustainable. The Sanjeevini marketing team gave her an opportunity to showcase her footwear at the SARAS fair. Encouraged by the demand, she decided to invest her personal savings of Rs.40,000 and raised a loan of Rs.1.10 lakh with help of Sanjeevini’s financial inclusion team to set up better infrastructure to manufacture the footwear. With NRLM’s support, Maya has been using the marketing platform of the SARAS fairs and has participated in fairs in cities across the country such as New Delhi, Chandigarh, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad.

On the periphery of the state capital, self help groups in Bengaluru Rural district are gainfully self employed in activities such as dairying, floriculture, sericulture, poultry, and growing vegetables and grapes.

Says NM Nagaraja, CEO, Bengaluru Rural Zilla Panchayat, “Easy availability of CIF loans from the Gram Panchayat Level Federation has led to a reduction in the villagers’ dependence on loans from private financiers”.

GPLFs have been formed and SHGs are working successfully. Funds have been released to SHGs in 73 GPLFs from the Community Investment Fund. SHG members have started micro enterprises after being provided technical know-how, EDP training, marketing support, apart from financial assistance. They have taken up ventures such as dairying,

sheep rearing, poultry, pottery, silk weaving and manufacturing of sanitary napkins and cloth bags, through MBKs and LCRPs.

Close to 1 lakh families have been positively impacted by Sanjeevini activities in Bengaluru Rural district.

While SARAS fairs earn a good profit of Rs.30,000, there has also been a gradual increase in the demand for her footwear in Karnataka, and Maya earns Rs.45,000 - Rs.65,000 annually. The future looks bright as the footwear will get a wider customer base after being marketed on the Government e-commerce platform.

36 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 37

Champion

Beautiful Enterprise Sanjeevini Champion: Veena, Devanahalli taluk

Combining a head for business and her skills, this Sanjeevini champion has earned high social standing while increasing the family income manifold.

Bengaluru Urban

CEO's Note

Platform for Women Entrepreneurs Sanjeevini SHGs in and around the capital city have tapped into contemporary trends to make products for a growing market in the Bengaluru Urban district.

Catering to urban requirements, the focus area in the district is cloth and paper bag making, nursery plantations, homemade sweets and masala products, cut vegetables & fruits selling at various points. Says Shivarame Gowda, CEO, Bengaluru Urban Zilla Panchayat, “Women entrepreneurs look for marketing support from Sanjeevini and we offer quite a lot of support. In addition, we plan to organize periodic ‘SHG Santhes’ (fair) at the Zilla Panchayat office to provide a marketing platform for startup SHG entrepreneurs.” The beauty salon started as a small business venture to help Veena become financially reliant, but the earnings have now become a major support for her family. Along with this, she has become a prominent person in the locality.

Veena lives in Ardeshanahalli village in Devanahalli taluk, Bengaluru Rural district. Though her family has 14 guntas of agricultural land, it is dry and unviable for agriculture. Her husband works as a primary school teacher in a private school and earns a salary of Rs.7,000 per month. As their living conditions became tougher, Veena thought of opening a beauty parlour in the village. She had learnt the basics in school and felt that it could now be a career. She joined the Kateramma SHG and sought financial assistance for the venture. She got trained in the craft and began to work in nearby parlours to understand the techniques of business: the requirements of time, investment, raw materials and customer flow. The Jalige Gram Panchayat Master Book Keeper

38 | Sanjeevini

completed the Micro Investment Plan and the Jagruthi Sanjeevini GPLF’s executive committee approved a CIF loan. The Kateramma SHG was sanctioned a loan of Rs.1.25 lakh to be given to Veena. She set up shop near her house and used Rs.1 lakh to procure all the necessities. Business began to look good within three months, thanks to her zeal, capability and professionalism. With 500 houses in the village, there were plenty of young women who became her customers. Over a period of time, her daily income has grown from Rs.200 to Rs.1,000. She also gets several orders to attend to make up requirements at weddings and other events. In addition, she also hires out artificial jewellery, and her monthly income is now Rs.30,000.

He notes that apart from financial and economic justice, and improved social status in the society for rural women, Sanjeevini has enabled equal rights for rural women to participate in social, religious and public activities. The programme has a great impact on reduction of domestic violence, improved women health, political representation and gender equality. Successful women entrepreneurs have become inspirations and role models to other members of their communities. Sanjeevini is a programme for the overall development of the society.

In Bengaluru Urban district, 41,145 households have been brought under the NRLM folder. Women members are encouraged to start entrepreneurial activities and SHGs are engaged in various micro entrepreneurial activities. The ZP encourages them to participate in local, national and international level exhibitions within the state and outside as well.

Sanjeevini | 39

SHG

A Committed Cluster Srirama Sanjeevini GPLF, Bengaluru South taluk

Displaying a commendable sense of unity and purpose, women members of self help groups of Srirama Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation in Bengaluru Urban district have been working towards a plastic-free India. Their cloth bags now protect jewellery in bank lockers and can be found in luxury hotels.

CIF

: Rs.75,000 as seed capital

Infrastructure : Rs.1.25 lakh from Sanjeevini Srirama GPLF for purchase of raw materials and state-of-the-art sewing machines. Average monthly sales in 2020 : 40,000 bags Monthly turnover

: Rs.3.8 lakh

Located in Peddanapalya village in Bengaluru South taluk, the Srirama Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation in Cholanayakanahalli gram panchayat comes across as a unique cluster of empowerment. Here is a story of three women from the gram panchayat who underline the social benefits that accrue from financial empowerment of women through Sanjeevini. These are women from local self help groups who have transformed their dreams into reality, reiterated the importance of unity and proved that poverty doesn’t necessarily breed poverty.

The women of this self help group are united by the common purpose of financial empowerment.

Sanjeevini Interventions:

Rohini of Janani SHG, Ambika of Jagadamba SHG and Komala of Jai Bharat SHG have been contributing in their own little ways towards the Plastic-free India Campaign. Their thoughts went a step beyond saving Rs.200 per month and towards improving society. This led to the formation of the Srirama Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation.

Bengaluru and the women came up with a timely solution. Equipped with a CIF loan, a power sewing machine and raw materials, the three women received necessary training through Sanjeevini and began making cloth bags. The trio’s work quickly drew words of praise and they currently boast of customers such as Canara Bank at Cholanayakanahalli. The bank uses their cloth bags to store jewellery in the safety lockers. Additionally, they also supply bags to retail stores and hotels. With 10 active members, the women have to often work overtime to meet the ever-growing demands. The members’ monthly savings have increased to Rs.500. Rohini, who is also a bank correspondent at Canara Bank, says, “I can now afford to educate my children. Everybody in the village is proud of our group and we are grateful to the Sanjeevini officials who have guided us throughout our journey.”

A plastic ban was announced by the BBMP in

Members underwent a 3-day Entrepreneurial Development Programme training at RSETI. They underwent training in sewing skills at the Government ITI College.

Received financial support from Sanjeevini Srirama GPLF for seed capital and additional capital. Received guidance in procuring raw materials and formulating marketing strategies.

40 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 41

Bidar

CEO's Note

Providing a Sense of Security The northernmost district of the state, Bidar has made the transition from focussing on savings and banking to focussing on women’s empowerment through livelihood development such as dairy farming, sheep and poultry rearing, tailoring, kirana stores and paper plate making.

Champion

A Will to Win Sanjeevini Champion: Nagamma, Bidar taluk

Determination helps one overcome many obstacles, and a strong will has helped this Sanjeevini champion in Bidar district break free of the circumstances of birth and build a good life.

All that Nagamma had going for her were courage and the will to overcome adversity. Her success is a testament to Sanjeevini’s role as an incubator which nurtures women members of SHG in their quest for becoming entrepreneurs.

Currently, there are 58,128 SHGs under the NRLM fold and they avail themselves of several government facilities provided by MGNREGA, and departments such as Housing, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare Department, Revenue and others. Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Bidar, says, “The platform provided by the Sanjeevini NRLM scheme has given women a new lease of life by helping them and their families overcome poverty and helped them improve their standard of living and socio economic conditions. The scheme has provided a sense of security to these women who now believe that they can rely on Sanjeevini in times of need.”

Gram Panchayats, taluks & Gram Panchayat Level Federations have been formed

Master Book Keepers and Local Community Resource Persons have been trained to assist the SHGs on helping them run the organization, making them aware about the pancha sutras philosophy, community investment fund, revolving fund and assisting them in taking loans along with making sure all the schemes of the central and state governments reach them in a timely manner. In 2019-20, Rs.4.04 crore has been released towards community investment funds. A further 46 Block Resource Persons (BRP) have been trained so as to assist the SHGs. Self help groups belonging to backward communities have been provided special

42 | Sanjeevini

SHGs & households are under the ambit of NRLM

Nagamma and her husband, who are residents of Tuljapur village in Ekalara village panchayat of Bidar taluk, were daily wage labourers, with no land of their own. Uneducated and poor, her family of four had to make do with the meagre earnings of a couple of hundred rupees. She was beset with anxiety about the children’s future and the need to educate them well. During a mobilisation drive for self help groups by the Taluk Mission Management Unit of Sanjeevini in the Eklara village panchayat, Nagamma and other women learnt about the benefits of coming together and becoming self-sustaining. She became a member

of Jayalakshmi SHG under the Sanjeevini Shiv Parvathi Ward Level Federation and started saving a part of her monthly income. She informed Sanjeevini staff of her aspiration of wanting to earn more money, and the non-farm team along with the financial inclusion team suggested that starting a small flour milling unit might be a good source of income. The gram panchayat had very few such mills and there were none in her village. Nagamma grasped the opportunity and attended a training on micro investment planning with the help of capacity building staff of Sanjeevini.

training on ways to improve their livelihood activities and overcome poverty. In 2017-18, all the GPLFs were provided with Community Investment Funds and the SHG members were trained in utilizing internal lending and 410 SHGs used the funds to start various livelihood activities such as dairy farming, sheep and poultry rearing, tailoring, setting up kirana stores, paper plate making units etc. The SHG women members and their families were also provided training at Sharada - RSETI in entrepreneurship, expanding their businesses and in securing bank loans.

Nagamma established her flour mill unit with financial assistance from her SHG through a community enterprise fund (CEF) of Rs.75,000 and her own savings of Rs.30000. This proved to be the turning point in Nagamma’s life and has been of much help to the local villagers. Nagamma has repaid the loan from the SHG, and her monthly income averages at Rs.8,000 to Rs.12,000, a sizable increase from her earlier income of Rs.3,000. “Our standard of living has improved upon the establishment of the flour mill. Our status has improved economically and socially as well. I have requested the Sanjeevini staff to guide me further with training and financial assistance as there is scope for further manufacturing activities,” says Nagamma. Sanjeevini | 43

Chamarajanagar

CEO's Note

Profiting from Guidance

Sanjeevini to the Rescue

Sanjeevini Champion: Pankaja, Kollegal taluk

Filling a vital need in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanjeevini SHGs in Chamarajanagar district have started producing affordable face masks that act as the first line of defence to break the chain of infection of the deadly virus.

The topography of Chamarajanagar district consists of farmland and forests including the tourist attraction of the Bandipur National Park. Thus, a majority of self help group members are engaged in dairying, animal husbandry, agri-horti-flori-culture related activities. In normal times, apart from the major livelihood activities, women’s SHGs also capitalise on the tourist traffic by weaving mats, gathering honey, making agarbathies, soap, candles, phenol, baking, making juices from local fruits, and offering services such as beautician, tailoring. Several of them have opened small grocery shops and cafes. In the wake of the pandemic, all the regular activities were put on hold and the Sanjeevini SHGs are working on a war footing to make masks. “There is an acute shortage of masks in the district and manufacturing them locally can help alleviate the shortage. In addition, making the masks has helped provide rural women employment opportunities that they have been deprived of due to the pandemic”, says Bhoyar Harshal Narayanrao, CEO, Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat. With timely intervention by the Sanjeevini District Mission Management Unit’s convergence team, SHGs have been linked to the district. They have orders to make over 1,200 masks in the price range of Rs.15 to Rs.25. Several SHGs in the district are also using recycled cotton to produce masks.

44 | Sanjeevini

Champion

When a person is confused about the way out of a life of poverty, Sanjeevini shines a light on the path to earn a better income. Pankaja is one such beneficiary who has overcome hurdles and become a champion.

“The intervention of Sanjeevini women’s SHGs at the right time to manufacture masks is a commendable job. With them by our side we are confident we will alleviate the shortage of masks in the district”, Bhoyar Harshal Narayana Rao, CEO, Chamarajanagar Zilla Panchayat.

The members of SHG women were able to make masks from sewing machines procured through the Community Investment Fund made available to their SHGs through the NRLM scheme. Apart from helping them procure the machines, the institution building /capacity building teams of Sanjeevini had ensured that the members were given skill training to work as tailors or run their own small tailoring businesses. Dr. BR Mamatha, former Sanjeevini Mission Director, has applauded the efforts of the SHGs and the district team as “a classic example of the importance of institution building and capacity building within a community”. Sanjeevini has built up a robust mechanism of an institution with skilled human resources that has come to the aid of the community.

“My dream of being self-employed has become a reality. Women can make their lives better by taking up self-employment under Sanjeevini,” says Pankaja.

Pankaja is a resident of Madhuvanahalli, a nondescript village in Kollegal taluk in Chamarajanagar district. Her husband Doreswamy and she found it difficult to manage with his income as a daily wager when they had three children. Pankaja too was compelled to work as a daily-wage labourer. The couple together could make a maximum of Rs.300 per day, which was insufficient

Pankaja’s story through her lens: “In the initial days, I was unable to deposit the thrift amount and used to absent myself from the meetings of the group. But, the other members of the group visited my house, educated me about the importance of the SHG and the need to attend its

for the family and they struggled for two square meals a day. Their neighbours had become members of the Apoorva Jyothi women self help group and they convinced Pankaja to join them. A hesitant Pankaja became a member of the SHG. The group used to assemble every week, discussing various issues including thrift.

meetings. Since then I started attending meetings regularly. One day, resource persons from NRLM met us and told us about depositing the money with the bank, the importance of banking services, availability of loan from bank and role of women SHGs in banking transactions. Later, I availed

Sanjeevini | 45

Chikkaballapur myself of a loan from the bank and thus was able to sustain the family. With this, I realised the importance of SHG. In the beginning, I found it difficult to understand the working of the NRLM scheme. But, over the course of time, as I began to attend ward level and panchayat level meetings, I got to know more about it. We renamed our SHG as ‘Nidhi Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation’. When it was my turn to take out a loan, I was confused about the livelihood activity I should take up. I was unable to come to a decision even after discussing the issue with my family members and neighbours. At this point of time, NRLM officials informed that they would impart training in mat-making, incense-stick making, preparation of masala items, mushroom cultivation etc. I expressed my wish to take up mushroom cultivation. With the help of NRLM officials, I underwent a three-day training in mushroom

cultivation in Gopichattiyur. Later, I borrowed Rs.50,000 under the Sanjeevini scheme and prepared myself for taking up mushroom cultivation in a semi-constructed house of my relative, on a 30x40 site. The then Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer of Chamarajanagar, Dr. Harish Kumar, inaugurated my mushroom unit. He called upon women to take up unique income-earning activities and declared that he was ready to get assistance for this purpose under any government scheme. Mushrooms are 60-65 day crops. One can easily earn up to Rs.40,000 in a span of two or three months. Mushroom farming has taught me the intricacies of calculation and gave me a new life. With the help of Sanjeevini staff, I have entered into a pact with More Mall in Kollegal to sell mushrooms. The financial condition of my family has bettered with this income”.

CEO's Note

Diversifying into Silk & Milk In drought prone Chikkaballapur district, the NRLM’s focus is helping SHGs, the majority of whom are involved in the production of silk and milk as their main sources of livelihood.

The shift to non-agrarian livelihood activities has been necessitated because groundwater level in the district has gone down to 1,500 feet. Agriculture activities cannot be continued with this scanty and unreliable water source. NRLM has implemented several measures, such as, strengthening of the SHGs, imparting of training, rejuvenation of disintegrated groups, formation of new SHGs, Ward Level and GP level federations that have helped bring splintered SHGs under the umbrella of NRLM. And the results are tangible, says B.Fouzia Taranum, CEO, Chikkaballapur Zilla Panchayat, with the 3,615 NRLMcompliant SHGs demonstrating improved livelihood.

These SHGs cover below poverty line households.

The Sanjeevini- SHG Micro Enterprises in the district and needy groups have been trained and are financially assisted through Community Investment Funds and bank credit linkages.

NRLM beneficiaries Livelihood

46 | Sanjeevini

The focus is on training and covers a large ambit : skill training, farm / non-farm activities trainings, agriculture and allied activities, skill training for rural BPL candidates - campus / off campus, need-based trainings through Rural Self Employment Training Institute, and management of SHGs, WLFs and GPLFs.

Sanjeevini | 47

SHG

Folk Art Funds Independence Shree Maruthi SHG, Jikavandlapalli, Bagepalli taluk

The ancient art of leather puppetry or thogalu gombe has become a source of livelihood for this self help group that uses traditional methods to make puppets, lampshades, door and wall hangings out of leather.

Shree Maruthi SHG in Jikavandlapalli, Bagepalli Taluk, Chikkaballapur District consists of 12 members who make puppets, lamp shades, door & wall hangings out of leather. Located in Jikavandlapalli, Bagepalli taluk of Chikkaballapur District, this SHG had simple origins way back in 1995. Chandrakala, the SHG president, recalls that a group of neighbourhood women gathered and decided to work together for financial sustenance. The members manufacture leather lamp shades, puppets, door hangings, and wall hangings. Relying solely on government-sponsored exhibitions held across the country, the group used to be hard hit during the months when there were no exhibitions. In 2010, the KSRLPS – Sanjeevini district officials of Chikkaballapur intervened with a financial boost to the SHG. Shree Maruthi availed a

subsidy of Rs.1.25 lakh and an interest-free bank loan of another Rs.1.25 lakh. Their products are end-to-end handmade, without any machine intervention, and all the raw materials including leather, paint and other materials are locally sourced. These handicrafts have attracted the attention of the young generation. “Several college girls come to us seeking training in the products we manufacture”. Challenges to any business are inevitable and Shree Maruthi is not an exception. “Our products don’t have a local market. The manufacturing costs are also on the higher side. “Leather as a raw material is quite expensive and we have limited means. We get assistance from Sanjeevini whenever required”, says Chandrakala. With an active presence on Facebook and WhatsApp, the SHG members aspire to expand the market for their products.

“Sanjeevini has been constantly helping us with financial assistance and exposure. NRLM staff understand our limitations and provide us the required help. Our SHG is doing decently, and we are now successfully running two self help groups”, says Chandrakala, president, Shree Maruthi SHG.

Sanjeevini Interventions: CIF: Rs.1.25 lakh interest free bank loan & Rs.1.25 lakh subsidy

Loan of Rs.10 lakh is in the pipeline.

The SHG is expected to receive technical training in the future.

CIF funds

: Rs.1.75 lakh

Infrastructure

: Panchayat has provided land for workshed

Increase in production

: from Rs.10,000 to Rs.1.5 lakh

Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.1.5 lakh The group is also known for its leather paintings depicting the episodes of the Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana.

48 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 49

SHG

Taste of Success Shri Saraswathi SHG, Chintamani taluk

From being nervous newbies to becoming confident entrepreneurs well versed in the functioning of a cafe, members of the Shri Saraswathi self help group have big smiles that light up the place.

Shri Saraswathi SHG in Chinnasandra Village, Chintamani taluk, Chikkaballapur district consists of 14 members who run a cafe in Chinnasandra. The small cafe that they have started is a matter of great pride for members of the Shri Saraswathi self help group. Lalitha and Nagamma, the co-presidents manage the restaurant, with other SHG members. Sanjeevini had initiated a pilot programme in Chikkaballapur to help women in starting cafes along the same lines as Kudumbashree (Kerala NRLM). With no other fixed source of income, the women of Saraswathi SHG came forward and thus laid the foundation of the ‘Sanjeevini Cafe’. With the requisite training and a CIF and savings of Rs.75,000 each, the SHG was established in November 2010. The origins were simple and the purpose was financial sustainability. The USP of the cafe is simple: home-made food taste and well-maintained. Seven of the 14 members are involved full-

time at the restaurant, the others help out on Sundays and holidays, as they have full-time jobs that keep them occupied during the week. As a part of the Sanjeevani Mission, the SHG had also availed a loan of Rs.2 lakh for the renovation of the restaurant. Situated in the prime area of Chinnasandra village, the restaurant enjoys a locational advantage. The ingredients are sourced from the local market once in a while and cater exactly to the taste of localites and travellers. The cafe clocks a daily income of Rs.2000-Rs.3000 and an annual income of about Rs.3 lakh. It also sells water cans that add an additional income of Rs.30,000 a year. How about the challenges? “We did face difficulties in the beginning when we had no idea about how a café is being run. But time is the best teacher. Everything is on track now. Our only goal now is to improve our restaurant and make it even better. We are planning to grow the business further and increase the per capita income” says Lalitha.

“Idli, dose, lemon rice, curd rice, tomato rice, sambar vada” Lalitha R, co-president of Shri Saraswathi SHG, rattles off a tempting menu, “You can find us near the petrol pump in Chinnasandra. We serve authentic south Indian dishes.”

Sanjeevini Interventions: The SHG members received training in hotel management, kitchen management, hygiene management and inventory management.

CIF funds : Rs.75,000 Low interest bank loan : Rs.2 lakh Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.30,000 – Rs.35,000

50 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 51

Chikkamagaluru

CEO's Note

Champion

A Fertile Growth

A Supportive Sisterhood

Sanjeevini Champion: Ashwini, Koppa taluk

Self-confidence, prestige and transactional skills are the norm now amongst women self help group members in Chikkamagaluru district. Not only have they broken the shackles of economic dependence, every woman who has travelled towards empowerment pulls up another woman on the path to success.

This Sanjeevini champion in Chikkamagaluru district has achieved a remarkable feat by turning an arid piece of land into a fertile farm. Going beyond providing a secondary income to her family, Ashwini has become the go-to person for farmers in the region who seek her advice on multi-cropping.

S. Ashwathi, CEO, Chikkamagaluru Zilla Parishad, points out with pride that women in the rural areas of the district have the confidence to interact with other self help groups across the state. “They have developed the courage to take leadership, they can analyse various issues pertaining to women empowerment and make use of the various government schemes.”

Proving that nothing is impossible for a determined person, Ashwini has emerged as a success story of Sanjeevini, by overcoming poverty and hunger with the timely help of the project.

This is a sea change compared to days prior to implementation of NRLM, when the women kept to themselves. This, she says, underlines the pivotal role in identifying groups to bring them within the beneficiary ring of NRLM. Under this scheme, the members of the group are given five days of training in roles that are important for the success of the scheme: Master Book Keepers, Local Community Resource Persons and Block Resource Persons who will act as backbone; 35 MBKs are trained in maintaining various books of record for 35 federations. 73 trained Local Resource Persons are maintaining the documents of meetings and internal transactions of various SHGs within the purview of federations. 19 Block Resource Persons have trained executive committee members of Ward Level and Gram Panchayat Level Federations.

The district has WLFs with SHGs and families in its fold. Community Investment Funds have been distributed to 35 Gram Panchayat Federations. As Chikkamagaluru district predominantly lies in the Malnad area (place which receives highest rain) and has a vast forest area, it has ample scope to trade in minor forest products. The VAN DHAN project is being implemented in Koppa taluk with association of LAMPS (Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Societies) on a

52 | Sanjeevini

SHGs have started their own micro enterprises from the fund received under Sanjeevini. 272 women SHGs members have made use of CIF for agriculture and allied activities. pilot basis with the cooperation of TRIFED. (Van Dhan is an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India; it seeks to improve tribal incomes through value addition of tribal products.)

Ashwini is from a marginalized farming household in Karimane village, and her husband’s earnings as a mechanic were insufficient to meet their everyday needs. She joined the Pragathi Stree Shakti self help group of Karimane village in Tuluvina Koppa Gram Panchayat, hoping to learn about an alternative livelihood. While she owned an acre of farmland, it was arid and was lying unused. At a meeting of the Gram Panchayat Level Federation, when she expressed hope that her farm could be made cultivable, Sanjeevini’s Block Mission Management Unit started guiding her. A soil fertility test showed that the land was ideal for coconut cultivation. The primary intervention that was required was to dig a borewell that would irrigate the land. Ashwini was able to arrange Rs.95,000 for digging the borewell with personal savings of Rs.50,000 and financial assistance provided by Sanjeevini through

its CIF of Rs.20,000 and internal borrowing from the SHG of Rs.25,000. She began mono cropping by planting coconut trees. Sanjeevini’s farm livelihood team suggested that she install a drip irrigation system to use water efficiently, and also suggested that she shift to multi cropping. Realising that there was some land that was unused, she began cultivating vegetables which could feed her family and reduce household expenses. Initially, she earned Rs.10,000 a month by mono cropping, and subsequently, the multi cropping of coconuts and vegetables, increased her earnings to Rs.30,000 a month. The substantial increase in her family income helped her children get to school and made her financially independent. Her stature in the village community grew, and other farmers began approaching her for assistance in developing their farms through multi cropping.

Sanjeevini | 53

Champion

More than Child’s Play

Bountiful Blossom

Sanjeevini Champion: Jyothi, Kadur taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Mangalagowri, Kadur taluk

Poverty forced Jyothi to drop out of school and shackled her until Sanjeevini helped realise her entrepreneurial dreams. With skill training and financial literacy, this young woman in rural Chikkamagaluru district has become self reliant and supports her family.

The orange hue of the kanakambara flowers known as ‘firecracker’ or ‘tropical flame’ (crossandra infundibuliformis) that light up the slopes of the Western Ghats in the Malnad region of Karnataka have proved to be the spark of life for Sanjeevini champion Mangalagowri.

Financial empowerment has led to a major shift in the mindset of the village folks and improved the social status of Jyothi’s family and is helping remove the taboo surrounding backward communities.

Jyothi belongs to an economically backward and scheduled community. Her parents could not afford to send her to school beyond Class VII, and much to her disappointment, the lack of jobs in her village meant that she had to be a housewife. Her innate drive made her seek out opportunities for self-employment and she joined the Sri Punyakoti Mahila SHG of Nidaghatta village in Kadur taluk, Chikkamagaluru district. When a non-farm team from Sanjeevini visited her village to inform SHG members about various livelihood activities that they could take up apart from farming, Jyothi’s dream was back on track. Impressed by her determination, the BMMU team advised her in starting a business of stuffed dolls. A market survey revealed that there was scope for such a store as it would attract buyers from 10 nearby villages, who otherwise had to travel 30 km to the nearest store to purchase a stuffed doll. Jyothi, after much deliberation with her family members,

54 | Sanjeevini

The blossoming of the kanakambara flower is symbolic of the positive developments in Mangalagowri’s life, thanks to the intervention of the Sanjeevini team. This enterprise has made Mangalagowri a role model for the women in her village, and heralds the beginning of a slow revolution in this small village in Karnataka.

decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge. The Sanjeevini Non-Farm Team sent Jyothi to Chikkamagaluru for a month to learn the art of making stuffed dolls, and subsequently sent her to the Entrepreneurship Development Programme at RSETI, Chikkamagaluru. Jyothi used her personal savings of Rs.25,000 and was assisted by the financial inclusion team of Sanjeevini to get a bank loan of Rs.25,000. She also took an internal loan from her SHG to the tune of Rs.25,000, and with a budget of Rs.75,000 she started her stuffed doll business. In the first three months of setting up shop, she made a net profit of Rs.15,000. In the following months her net profits have remained steady. Financial literacy programmes conducted by Sanjeevini have taught her how to balance her books and not slip into losses. The store that Jyothi set up has made her famous as the ‘doll lady’ in the taluk. Beyond boosting the family income, her business has raised their social stature.

Mangalagowri belongs to an economically backward family. Her husband works as a driver and his earnings were not enough to feed and care for the family of four, and even working as seasonal farm hands did not bring them sufficient income. Keen to share financial responsibility, Mangalagowri wondered if she could become a full-time horticulture farmer. She joined the Chowdeshwari Self Help Group of Vanvarike village, Sakarainaya gram panchayat, Kadur taluk, Chikkamagaluru district. At the Ward Level Federation meeting, the project director of the Horticulture Department explained the benefits of cultivating kanakambara. As there is huge demand for these flowers in the state, conversion from an annual to a perennial crop would provide steady alternate income. Equipped with this information and the support of the Block Mission Management Unit, Mangala began the process of cultivating the flower on her two acre farm.

The financial inclusion team of Sanjeevini helped Mangalagowri obtain a loan of Rs.8,000 from the Pragathi Krishna Gramin Bank. Further, she was provided with Rs.20,000 from the CIF money disbursed to her SHG. She also drew Rs.15,000 as internal borrowing from her SHG. With a cumulative amount of Rs.43,000 and the assistance of the BMMU team, she procured seeds from Raitha Samparka Kendra to cultivate her land. After a soil fertility test was conducted, she applied the plant gene therapy technique to convert her annual crop to a perennial one. With this conversion and using a drip irrigation system she was able to yield a good harvest in the first year. Apart from learning new techniques of horticulture, she also learnt about market linkages and logistics which helped preserve her harvest while reaping more revenue. She is now on the verge of expanding her crop by leasing more land. Sanjeevini | 55

Chitradurga

Champion

Bold Steps

Dakshina Kannada

CEO's Note

On the Highway to Success

Sanjeevini Champion: Shalini, Holalkere taluk

The life of this young woman in Chitradurga district is a testament to Sanjeevini’s potential to empower women and guide them towards better lives.

Shalini says, “With the help of Sanjeevini, I have been able to provide for my family financially. I am also able to help my elder sister and my younger brother in their education. My parents are very happy and we are getting a lot of respect in our village, and I feel that I have proved my worth.”

Chitradurga receives less than ideal rains and though Shalini’s family owned 1.5 acres of agricultural land in HD Pura village of Holalkere taluk in Chitradurga district, it lacked adequate irrigation. Her father struggled to provide for the family of 5 members, and Shalini decided to help her father shoulder the responsibility of running the family.

She became a beneficiary of the Sanjeevini NRLM programme after joining the Aishwarya Lakshmi SHG and began saving Rs.20 per week. This SHG belongs to Shri Jyoti Ward Level Federation of HD Pura and Shri Lakshminarasimha Swamy Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation.

Shalini secured an internal loan from the group and invested in the manufacture of areca nut plates. Later, she borrowed Rs.50,000 from the Krishna Rural Bank and purchased an areca nut plate making machine. In addition, she got a loan of Rs.25,000 under the Sanjeevini scheme to establish her business. The Sanjeevini team sent her to a 3-day EDP at RSETI.

Shalini maintains meticulous accounts and sets aside money to pay for raw material and labour each month. She sells each plate at Rs.3 and sells around 100 plates

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a day in Holalkere, Hosadurga and Chitradurga. She earns Rs.15,000 to Rs.18,000 a month from the sale of arecanut plates and wants to expand the business.

“The training and financial support provided to SHGs in the district has succeeded in giving a major boost to the livelihood of rural women, and two Highway Hubs that the SHGs have started have become a model institution,” says Dr. Selvamani R, Chief Executive Officer, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat.

Under instructions from the CEO, Gram Panchayats provided space in the market to womenled SHGs to open a shop. Women members fix nominal prices, with a small profit margin, for the goods that they make and take turns selling them at the shop. As their customers are also members of SHGs, everybody benefits. The shops have begun selling tea and offering services like tailoring. Most of the SHG members who have received CIF in Dakshina Kannada district are engaged in livelihood activities such as poultry, animal husbandry, agri-related works, areca nut plate making, mushroom farming and beekeeping.

Noteworthy livelihood enterprises include: ●

Restaurant run by SHG members in an NRLM work shed, enabled by a bank loan

●

17 cotton cloth bag units operate in space provided by gram panchayats as a part of the convergence of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Education department

●

Doormat making units that recycle used and waste cotton cloth materials

11 out of 57 NRLM common work sheds have been completed and SHG members are using them for livelihood purposes. Work is in progress on creating 5 rural haats (markets).

Six hundred women who are part of SHGs are engaged in livelihood activities including animal husbandry such as dairy farming, goat rearing, piggery, poultry; horticulture and agri-related works: such as mushroom cultivation; handicrafts such as pottery, pen making, leaf plate making units and food products such as baked goods, cashew processing and homemade products.

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Champion

Eco-friendly Self-employment

Against all Odds

Sanjeevini Champion: Ratnamma, Belthangady taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Noor Jahan, Belthangady taluk

Convenience and conservation require a delicate balance, and this champion in Dakshina Kannada district offers both by making eco-friendly, disposable plates made of arecanut bark.

The purchase of a cow with the help of Sanjeevini has transformed the lives of Noor Jahan and her family in Dakshina Kannada district, and participating in SHG activities has given her a social identity, says this Sanjeevini champion.

“My life has changed for the better financially, and I have made a name for myself in society thanks to Sanjeevini.”

Ratnamma of Shibaje village, Belthangady taluk belongs to the farming community and the five members in her family were finding it difficult to eke out a livelihood. As a member of the Adarsha SHG for the past five years, she used to get by with internal loans when she required money to tide her over. When this SHG joined the Sanjeevini scheme, the staff informed her about the beneficial schemes offered by the government under NRLM.

Encouraged by the staff and her family, Ratnamma took a loan from Sanjeevini and purchased a plate manufacturing machine. “We collect arecanut bark from growers in our town to manufacture the plates and sell them to shops in the market. From the profits, we returned the loan in instalments systematically. We also had enough money left to buy another machine. As there is a lot of demand for paper plates, I have employed two women at my unit.”

“Sanjeevini has provided me with the courage and financial assistance to create an alternative source of income to support my family. It has helped improve my social, cultural and economic status”, says Noor Jahan.

A resident of Navura village in Belthangady taluk, Noor Jahan hails from a humble family of eight whose main source of livelihood is agriculture. As farming is inevitably subject to the vicissitudes of the seasons, they struggled for sustenance. Her life had transformed after a self help group was initiated in her village. She joined the group and motivated other women facing similar struggles to become members too. The Navura SHG was registered under Sanjeevini when the National Rural Livelihood Mission was initiated in the village in 2017. Noor Jahan first took a loan of Rs.75,000 under Sanjeevini and bought a cow. She began selling milk and using cow dung to improve soil fertility on their small farm. Encouraged by the success of her efforts, she bought another cow, and now expects to increase her monthly earning of Rs.5,000.

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“I joined the self help group five years ago. The group has 10 members and we meet once a week. Whenever we need money, we take an internal loan from the savings of the group and return the same in weekly instalments. So far, I have availed myself of Rs.20,000 from the group”, says Noor Jahan. The SHG stays abreast of government schemes as, “we receive timely updates about government programmes from Sanjeevini and the society officials are always ready to help us”, she adds. Her association with the group has made her financially as well as socially independent. It has also helped her children receive basic education. “I participate in all the activities of Sanjeevini. The best part of this association is that I get to mingle with other women and this has given me a social identity”, she adds. Sanjeevini | 59

SHG

A Model of Enablement

A Collective Endeavour

Keerthi Sanjeevini SHG, Puttur taluk

Sanjeevini Highway Hub, Puttur taluk

For the members of this self help group, success is measured by the fact that they don’t have to depend on their families for every rupee, and are now financially independent.

An amalgamation of five self help groups, the Sanjeevini Highway Hub also known as the Sanjeevini Market, serves as a common sales touchpoint that supports several women in Kadaba Gram Panchayat, Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. The Highway Hub functions as a pit stop for travellers needing refreshments and also offers local produce for sale.

“We owe a lot to Sanjeevini. The CEO and team members have been guiding us constantly. We have now become role models in our community and are invited as chief guests to all community celebrations”, says Shameem Unnisa Akthar, a member of the Keerthi Sanjeevini SHG.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Rs.15 lakh as CIF to the Milana GPLF; in turn it disbursed Rs.1.75 lakh to the Keerthi Sanjeevini SHG

SHG members guided in accounts management

Each member earns Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 per month

Keerthi SHG of Kaukrady village, Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district consists of 10 members. Established in 2002, the group originated under the umbrella of the Model Development Centre, Ichlampady, Puttur taluk. The group, whose members hail from minority communities, has helped increase the savings of its members through self employment. Keerthi Sanjeevini SHG is a member of the Milana GPLF, established under the jurisdiction of Kaukrady Gram Panchayat. The group now has a total deposit of Rs.1.3 lakh with a savings bank. The SHG has also availed an internal loan of Rs.3.22 lakh and a bank loan of Rs.7.95 lakh, apart from the CIF for self-employment initiatives.

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The funds received from the GPLF have enabled the group members in exploring various self-employment opportunities in dairy farming, sheep rearing, poultry farming, tailoring and running flour mills. The SHG also helps the members in hiring shamiana and vessels at rates lower than ones prevailing in the market. Such endeavours have not only boosted the financial status of the members, but also enabled them in meeting their needs on their own. The Keerthi SHG members, who were living in utter poverty, are now confidently managing their personal finances and leading self sufficient and dignified lives.

The Highway Hub is yet another successful endeavour by Sanjeevini towards the economic and social empowerment of the women in rural Karnataka.

Sanjeevini Interventions A workshed cum outlet, in collaboration with the Gram Panchayat, acts as a common sales channel near Kadaba market Sanjeevini | 61

Davanagere The Srinidhi Sanjeevini GPLF, sanctioned CIF of Rs.75,000 to SHGs

Plan to set up 25 similar outlets

SHG members have taken up various livelihood activities such as making cotton bags, pottery, jewellery making, clothes and more.

In January 2020, the Chief Secretary of the state presided over a landmark event in Puttur taluk in Dakshina Kannada district. It was the inaugural of an unique market, the Highway Hub set up by five self help groups of the Kadaba Gram Panchayat-the Deepa Sanjeevini SHG, the Suraksha Sanjeevini SHG, the Gayatri Sanjeevini SHG, the Prathibha Sanjeevini SHG and the Soundarya Sanjeevini SHG. While SHG members are also engaged in tailoring, goat rearing, dairy farming and poultry farming, this hub serves as a one-stop shop for a variety of local produce and products such as vegetables, sambar powder, arecanut plates, pain-relief oils, nursery plants, phenyl, liquid soap and detergent powder. The market came into being following a discussion in November 2019, at a meeting of the Srinidhi Sanjeevini GPLF, the Panchayat Development Officer and programme organisers of the district. The topic of discussion was the role of SHGs in the creation of self employment opportunities and organisation of a fair to boost the sales of SHG-made products. The Highway hub was built with the collaboration of the President of Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Development Officer. Srija, Secretary of the GPLF, was appointed to

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The Right Step Sanjeevini Champion: Ashvini J, Davanagere taluk

For a landless labourer to set up her own shop is a big step indeed in rural India, and this Sanjeevini champion has demonstrated grit and ambition in achieving this.

oversee the operations of the Highway Hub. A tailor at the facility, Srija, along with other tailors have also contributed towards the Swachh Bharat Mission by making and distributing low-priced cloth bags at several locations such as Perakhe, Noojibaltila, Mardala, Kadaba, Ramakunj, Kodimbadi, Kutruppadi and Kaukradi gram panchayat of the Puttur taluk.

An active member of the self help group for the last three years, Ashvini has used the Sanjeevini scheme to her benefit.

Self help group members are delighted with the result of the hub; “The Highway Hub has transformed my life. I am a tailor and after the hub came up, I started a cotton bag making unit along with other SHG members. Our bags are much in demand at the hub, and we also supply them to gram panchayats and shops in Puttur and Mangaluru”, says Srija. Enthused by the success of the Highway Hub, Dr. Selvamani, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Dakshina Kannada says, “We plan to start 25 more such Highway Hubs and open them to all SHGs of the district as sales points.” The success of the hub led to a large-scale village fair, organised under the Mahatma Gandhi National Employment Scheme in 5 areas (Hirebandadi, Balepuni, Kashipatla, Panja and Subrahmanya). There is a plan to open the fair to women entrepreneurs by the end of 2020.

Champion

Ashvini J belongs to a very poor family in Bethur village in Davanagere taluk of Davanagere district. She earned a pittance as a daily wager alongside her husband in local farms, and hoped to increase her earnings by taking up alternative work in the village.

the Bethur Gram Panchayat. She purchased a weighing machine and commodities to set up shop. Over a period of time, she invested Rs.2.5 lakh in her business and is able to pay loan instalments regularly as fixed by the self help group.

She joined the Sri Pranathi self help group three years ago, and opened a petty shop. She invested Rs.25,000 and received an internal loan of Rs.75,000 from the SHG provided by NRLM Sanjeevini via

She says proudly that her business acumen has improved after joining the self help group; her economic condition has improved and social standing has increased considerably.

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Champion

A Shiny Success Bringing together women from her tribe has helped this daily wager in Davanagere district establish a better life as a producer of natural products.

Tired of the unchanging work and circumstances, she reached out to other women of the tribe in the village. Twenty of them got together to form the Hakki Pikki Girijana Mahila self help group in 2008. They began modestly with weekly savings of Rs.20 each and opened an account with the Karnataka Grameena Bank, Channagiri that lent from their savings to needy members of the group.

Though a poor and illiterate tribal, Chimitha has shown the way to improving living standards in her village and has become a model to the other women in the village.

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In 2011, Chimitha contacted the Channagiri Taluk Panchayat office and received information about the Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana; with this, she obtained a loan from the local Grameen bank and a subsidy from the state government for the SHG. As the secretary of the group, she encouraged members to take up activities such as making hair oil from

CEO's Note

Stitching a Better Future

Sanjeevini Champion: Chimitha, Channagiri taluk

Married at a very young age, Chimitha, a woman from the Hakki Pikki tribe, joined her husband in working in farms as daily wagers in Gopanalu village in Channagiri taluk, of Davanagere district.

Dharwad

plants from the Joldal forest, collecting dry fruits for sale etc. Even as this business gained ground, Chimitha developed an interest in making toys and garlands. She discussed the prospects of making these on a large scale for sale in different markets and many of the members took it up, generating a good income. While her innovative ideas and drive have helped the SHG prosper, Chimitha has done well for herself. She took a loan under Rajiv Gandhi Chaitanya Yojana Scheme to develop her business and has repaid it promptly. She also participated in Krishi Melas at Moodabidri and Shivamogga. She is an office bearer of the NRLM Sanjeevini Harohalli GPLF, Channagiri taluk and has played an active role in the Zilla Panchayat’s Swachh Bharat Mission drives for toilets for each household and waste segregation and disposal. She has a strong desire to continue working with SHGs and spread the message in the neighbouring villages.

The women members of 26 SHGs in this district are a busy lot and their activities have a dual purpose: not only are they able to get a secondary source of income for their families, they are keeping alive the traditional craft of the region kasuti (embroidery).

Apart from kasuti, the women’s self help groups make handloom sarees ethnic to the region and are also engaged in activities such as making jowar rotis and fiery chilli powder, growing and selling vegetables, seeds and saplings, animal husbandry and marketing of milk products. “Products made by women SHG members in Dharwad district will soon have pride of place as each GPLF will provide a dedicated space for display and sale of such products”, says Dr. BC Satheesha, CEO, Dharwad Zilla Panchayat. There are 2,058 SHGs functioning under NRLM and 26,262 households have been mobilized. The Sanjeevini programme helps in mobilising the women, strengthening the groups and establishing new micro-enterprises at village level. Women members participate actively in meetings of the Ward and Gram Sabha.

The focus of SHGs is mainly on Karnataka Kasuti which originates in Dharwad. This handmade embroidery is formed in unique geometrical patterns, and it’s quite common to see it not only on sarees but also on dress materials and furnishings.

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SHG

Reviving Bamboo Crafts Shree Kateshwara Sanjeevini SHG, Kalghatgi taluk

Going back to traditional bamboo craft, this self help group in Dharwad district has tapped into a market for eco-friendly products for daily use and for home decor.

CIF

Infrastructure

Increase in production

: Rs.1.25 lakh

: Workshed provided by Gram Panchayat

: from Rs.10,000 to 20,000

Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.20,000

Shree Kateshwara Sanjeevini SHG in Galagi Hulkoppa village, Kalghatgi taluk, Dharwad District was established in January 2011. It comprises 10 members who were daily wage labourers. Thanks to Sanjeevini, the members were trained by artists from Bengaluru at the Rural Development & Self-employment Training Institute, and have added a modern flavour to an old tradition of making bamboo baskets, decorative items, mats and ropes. Sanjeevini staff have been providing motivation and encouragement to the members to keep up the good work despite household hardships. “The women used to earn a monthly income of Rs.10,000 – Rs.12,000 before joining the group. Now, they earn about Rs.15,000–Rs.20,000. Every rupee strengthens our economic

stability”, says Renuka Channabasappa Medar, the president of the group. Members stay abreast of various government schemes and programmes, and have successfully participated in two SARAS fairs. The group invests Rs.75,000 to participate in a SARAS fair, and earns a profit of Rs.35,000; apart from the money, participating in such fairs is important as it gives them insights about customer tastes and effective business strategy. Their products have also been uploaded on the Government E-Market portal to improve their reach and customer base. “We hope for a wider reach and look forward to awards and recognition from the state government”, says Renuka.

“Sanjeevini has made our lives better and our financial condition has improved. With the government’s credit facilities and guidance of Sanjeevini officials, we now lead a comparatively easier life”, says Renuka Channabasappa Medar.

Sanjeevini Interventions: TMMU convergence team, Dharamasthala RUDSETI trained the group members in making bamboo handicrafts and decorative products

Consolidation of the SHG through various capacity building programmes

Bank loans at low interest rates

Educated the SHG members about sustainable livelihood methods, internal borrowing mechanism, maintenance of books of records, health reforms and active participation in Panchayat Raj institutions

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SHG

Capitalizing on Craft Shree Vishwa Bharathi Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha, Dharwad taluk

Members of self help groups in Dharwad have earned the reputation of being active and assiduous, and the Shree Vishwa Bharathi Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha is an apt case study.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Helped secure a rural bank loan of Rs.2 lakh as seed capital

Annual income of each member has increased manifold; from Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000-Rs.50,000

Participation in 5 SARAS Melas

Products registered on GEM

Shree Vishwa Bharathi Stree Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha in Upinabetagere village of Dharwad taluk, Dharwad district consists of 12 members who make traditional handloom sarees. The SHG was formed in August 2000, after the Institution Building and Capacity Building team at the Taluk Mission Management Unit conducted awareness programmes for the most vulnerable groups at the Gram Panchayat level in their respective taluks. Sharada Shinagari, one of the group leaders, attended the meetings and recognized an opportunity. Encouraged by the awareness sessions, she and a few other members requested the TMMU staff for the required assistance to start their entrepreneurial journey.

The members had the skill but not the capital and the financial inclusion team sanctioned a loan through a regional rural bank to the tune of Rs.2 lakh as seed capital to fuel the initiation. The members, primarily daily wage labourers, used to earn an annual income between Rs.10,000– Rs.20,000. After joining the SHG, their annual incomes have risen to Rs.20,000–Rs.50,000. The SHG has taken part in five SARAS Melas across the country. With an average investment of Rs.1.5 lakh per fair, the group has made profits of about Rs.55,000 from each fair. Their products have also been added on the government e-commerce portal.

“Our income has increased along with the respect we get as members of the self help group. This has been possible because of Sanjeevini”, says Awakka Gudamani, a group member.

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Gadag

CEO's Note

Nurturing Institutions Gadag Zilla Panchayat is proud of the fact that the recovery rate of the Community Investment Fund in the district is more than 90%, and has launched two new initiatives under the Sanjeevini-NRLM programme: farmers’ markets and women-led milk federations.

Micro Enterprise Project: With the collaboration of Kudumbashree NRO (National Resource Organisation), a Micro Enterprises Consultant project was launched in 2014-15 with the following objectives: ¾ To network with CBOs (SHGs, WLFs and GPLFs) ¾ Identify entrepreneurs and assess their interests and skills ¾ Provide general orientation training for aspiring entrepreneurs ¾ Guide entrepreneurs to obtain skills and finance through various sources like, SHG federations, banks, govt. departments, RSETI, KVK, etc. ¾ Guide entrepreneurs to obtain raw materials and market linkages for business ¾ Train and guide entrepreneurs in maintaining accounts through a performance tracking system ¾ Diagnose health of the business and advise the entrepreneur

Dr. Anandh K, Chief Executive Officer, Gadag Zilla Panchayat, explains the key effects of implementing the KSRLPS-Sanjeevini programme in the district: ¿ Social Inclusion: The programme has been able to reach out to 61,797 households of poorest of the poor, of which over 80% are vulnerable households. ¿ Creation of Institutional Platform: After creating an institutional platform for these SHGs, existing and new SHGs have been federated in to Ward Level Federation and Gram Panchayat Level Federation. Presently, 547 WLFs and 122 GPLFs are functioning under NRLM in Gadag district.

¾ Guide existing entrepreneurs through regular consultation ¾ Arrange bank linkages ¾ Arrange training linkages with government and non-government agencies After the implementation of the MEC project in Gadag district, capacity building training support was given to 1,044 newly established Micro Enterprise units and 184 existing units.

¿ Capacity Building: Since the strengthening of these incubated institutions is crucial in terms of sustainability in the long term, SHGs are trained in following the panchasutras, MIPs and other required models. To ensure a regular book keeping system, book keepers have been identified and trained. Similarly, WLFs and GPLFs have been trained on managing their day-to-day activities. Apart from this, sub committees have also been trained in their responsibilities and to focus on specific tasks.

New initiatives:

¿ Nurturing and regular monitoring of institutions: Nurturing and monitoring systems play a vital role in running institutions of the community. To ensure this, the dedicated staff at taluk and district level regularly visit and guide the smooth functioning of SHGs and federations. As a result of this, the recovery rate of Community Investment Fund in the district is more than 90%. Similarly, the regular progress review meeting with community cadres, especially with MBKs at the taluk level is conducted periodically and their progress is monitored with each indicator.

Milk Federations: To promote dairy entrepreneurs, 34 villages were surveyed, in collaboration with the Karnataka Milk Federation. The result showed that there was potential for a women-led milk federation in 26 villages. One such federation has been launched and 25 are under progress.

¿ Convergence with MGNREGA: With the support from MGNREGA, provision of common work sheds facility has been started in 29 GPs and out of which 4 common work sheds construction have been completed under convergence. These promises will help the SHG members to make their production or value adding process, who are involved in any activities either in the farm or non-farm sector. Construction of 25 GP common work sheds is under progress.

Focus areas of SHGs in district:

Credit facilities: Establishment of a proper monitoring system at the field level boosts the repayment rate from the SHGs.

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Farmers’ Markets: Gadag district is well-known for its agriculture and allied produce like jowar, chickpea, wheat and vegetables etc. The lack of local markets was a challenge for farmers to sell or purchase goods. To address this issue, Sanjeevini-NRLM started farmers’ markets in 44 villages with the help of SHGs and federations. This initiation has helped 44 villages and 1,779 SHG entrepreneurs in purchasing/selling in their vicinity.

Focus area of the SHGs in District (CIF utilisation) 6.11 1 2.55 11.66 2 3

15.33 20.88

4 5

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SHG

Timely initiative

Rekha Veerapur from Abbigeri village in Ron block, who is involved in sewing masks says, “When I started to stitch masks in my village, initially the demand was not much. But gradually people realised the importance of wearing masks and the local gram panchayat, medical stores and individuals started to buy them from me. Now I am able to sell more than 3,000 masks in and around my village. I am very

Self help groups in Gadag district have been proactive in making masks in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 virus, and their initiative serves the twin purposes of providing employment opportunities to SHG members and caring for the health of the community.

happy not because I am earning more but that I am able to help people avoid risking their health”. Nilofer Khaji from Hole Alur village in Ron block, who also sold around 2,500 masks, is happy to state that, “I am able to stitch masks in different sizes and of different types, as per the need. I am proud of myself when people of my village walk by wearing my masks.”

MASK PRODUCTION IN GADAG DISTRICT (AS ON 08.04.2020) SL NO

Taluk

Number of GPLFs involved

Number SHGs involved

Number of members involved

Number of masks produced

Total sales (Rs.)

Gadag

1,200

10,000

Mundaragi

2,000

15,750

Naragund

432

6,480

Ron

17,400

1,45,200

Shirahatti

560

11,200

21,592

1,88,630

TOTAL

Mask production has become a timely livelihood opportunity for SHGs.

Information about precautionary measures and social distancing to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus was communicated throughout the state. And as in urban areas, people in rural Karnataka too began to look for personal protective gear such as masks. When the demand for masks increased, people found that they weren't able to get them in the local markets or that the prices were very high. That’s when it occurred to members of self help groups in villages in the district that they could make masks themselves in their villages. Some of the women work as tailors in the villages like Hole Alur (Ron), Abbigeri (Ron), Kurthkoti (Gadag) and other taluks in the district.

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Says Basavaraj G Mulimani, District Manager, Zilla Panchayat, Gadag, “When women members of self help groups started stitching cloth masks using locally available cotton cloths, The Sanjeevini NRLM staff and community cadre were quick to guide them about the technical aspects like size and type of cloth to be used.” As soon as the SHG members started to produce masks, they found a steady demand from local medical shops, gram panchayats, banks, the Health Department and other agencies. Mask production has become a timely livelihood opportunity for some of the needy women.

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Champion

SHG

Adding Value

Towards a Plastic-free Future

Sanjeevini Champion: Ratna Konnur, Naragund taluk

Dhanammadevi Sanjeevini SHG, Ron taluk

Bangles are a favourite adornment of Indian women, and for a poor agricultural labourer in Gadag district, it has become a symbol of prosperity.

Even as campaigns and initiatives to combat the damaging impacts of single-use plastics have gathered pace across the globe, villagers in the heart of Karnataka have come together to work towards a plastic-free nation, thanks to the leadership of a women’s self help group.

The Dhanammadevi Sanjeevini SHG is an extraordinary example of women who can lead transformations in society.

Thanks to Sanjeevini, Ratna Konnur has realised her dream of educating her children.

Ratna Konnur was born in a poor family from a backward community. She studied till Class 10, after which as with most rural women, she got married at the early age of 18 years to Vinayak from Konnur village in Naragund taluk. Her husband is a carpenter and his earnings were unable to meet the expenditure of the entire family. Ratna began work as an agricultural labourer to help provide for her family and to educate their three children. The family struggled despite the additional income, and when Ratna discussed her problem with her neighbors, she was encouraged to enroll as a member of an SHG. Other women in the neighborhood had similar problems and they came together to form the Shree Gramadevathe Sanjeevini SHG. Initially, each month this SHG saved Rs.100 and

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started lending internally to members. Soon after, with the formation of GPLF under SanjeeviniNRLM scheme, the SHG was granted a Community Investment Fund of Rs.1.25 lakh. Ratna, who was looking for a new livelihood opportunity, decided to start a bangle store by taking a loan of Rs.35,000 from the CIF available. Initially sales were not good and the Non-Farm team of Sanjeevini advised her to sell the bangles at weekly fairs and in and nearby village markets. This increased her sales substantially and prompted her to open up a stationery store with a loan of Rs.50,000 from a local bank. Through her entrepreneurial journey Ratna is able to earn Rs.15,000 per month. Ratna says, “I am happy that I joined the Sanjeevini self help group, as I am able to realise my dream of giving a good education to my children.”

Sanjeevini Interventions: CIF: Rs.75,000

Training in tailoring and bag making

Training in marketing techniques

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Hassan Workplace allotted by Gram Panchayat

500 metres of fabric and threads for manufacturing bags donated by Panchayat

In 2018, the Gram Panchayat of Abbigere village of Ron taluk took the initiative of banning singleuse plastic bags from all the shops in the village. Championing this move was the Dhanammadevi Sanjeevini SHG which had proved that villages would be receptive to such a move. The 10 members of this group make cloth bags as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Their achievement in combining financial sustenance with environmental consciousness has gained the attention of many, including Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa who mentioned them in a tweet. After enrolling in the Sanjeevini programme in 2014, the members were given a week’s training in sewing and screen printing by a Gadag-based NGO. “Initially we tried to start a garment unit but realized that the investment would entail a huge loan which none of us wanted to take. Then we started doing some tailoring work individually. We saw an opportunity when the initiative for plastic-

free Gadag was announced along with a call for self help groups to make bags. We signed up and the Sanjeevini team sent us for training to RSETI”, says Lakshmamma, the group president. The group began to make cloth bags from e-purposed and upcycled old clothes for distribution to local households and shops, to help in the gradual elimination of plastic. Villagers eagerly donated their old clothes and SHG members made bags of three capacities: 1 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg. The first set of bags were distributed free of cost to all families and shops in the village.

SHG

Small Gesture, Big Change Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG, Hassan taluk

Sometimes a small gesture is an indicator of a big change. Thus when Kamalamma, president of Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG, says, “I feel very proud every time I receive a government order, and whenever we visit an office our members are received warmly by the head who asks us to sit down to discuss business and gives us coffee”. This polite gesture is a milestone for the rural poor and shows their growing empowerment.

The group makes 60,000 bags per week, which it sells at Rs.2 per bag, and some members are able to earn as much as Rs.3,000 a week. This initiative has garnered attention from surrounding areas and it has received several orders from the PDOs of nearby villages, including 1,000 bags to Bagalkote district.

“We are really happy after joining Sanjeevini. Sanjeevini is a rainbow for vulnerable people”, says Kamalamma, a member of the Ganapathi Sanjeevini self help group.

Sanjeevini Interventions: 10-day training at RSETI, Hassan, in phenyl, bleaching powder, soap oil, detergent powder and candle-making

Participation in fairs such as Pradeshika Mela, Hobli resulting in increased promotion, marketing and sales.

Bank loan of Rs.3 lakh to diversify range of cleaning products, with easy repayment instalments.

Introductions to government departments

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Haveri The group has rented a building at Bikkodu paying a low rent of Rs.500. From 400 litres, its monthly production has increased to 650 litres. Each member earns Rs.10,000 per month.

Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG in Belur Block of Lakkunda Gram Panchayat in Hassan district consists of 12 women. This group is associated with the Pragathi WLF and the Mallige GPLF. Established in August 2013, it manufactures cleaning products and toiletries such as soaps, detergent powder and bleaching powder. Driven by an urge for financial independence, and inspired by other SHGs, the group members underwent primary product training at RSETI, Hassan. After opening a small unit, the group began manufacturing disinfectants and household cleaning products. The raw materials were mostly sourced from the local markets of Hassan and members used to sell their products door-to-door. With not much response for the products and limited exposure, the group members suffered a setback. Sanjeevini introduced the group to several government-sponsored exhibitions that helped a great deal in marketing and promotion of the products. The Pradeshika Mela proved to be a major opportunity for the SHG. The exposure led to a

manifold increase in sales and their products began to be recognised in surrounding areas.

Champion

Milling a Change Sanjeevini Champion: Shruti Naganagoudar, Hirekerur taluk

This young woman has overcome the barriers of caste by setting up a small flour mill unit and is financially independent, thanks to Sanjeevini.

Backed by the Sanjeevini programme, Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG availed a bank loan of Rs.50,000 to expand its range of products, and its customer base gradually increased. The cleaning products were sold to the local markets in bulk. The Taluk Panchayat and the Zilla Panchayat of Hassan introduced the group to government departments from whom it has secured orders, as well. “Our customers include schools, wholesale shops and weekly markets. Efficient book management is very important for the business.” says Kamalamma, a member of the group. Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG is registered under Udyog Aadhar and GEM; it plans to apply for CIF to move to a larger manufacturing unit and employ 100 women in the area. The identity and income has provided the members financial security and dignity.

“Not only am I able to earn a decent income, I have gained confidence and am able to talk to people and deal with banks”, says Shruti.

Shruti Chandrashekar Naganagoudar of Suttakoti village in Hirekerur taluk, Haveri district continued to struggle even with a basic education of SSLC. Belonging to an OBC family of seven, she found the income from the small landholding of 1.5 acres insufficient. The Master Community Resource Person of the Sanjeevini programme motivated her to join a self help group. She joined the Annapoorneswari SHG in 2017 and learnt the importance of saving each

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month. Members were guided to start a Federation and received Community Investment Funds. When Shruti expressed interest in setting up a livelihood enterprise, she received EDP training at RSETI. With the help of NRLM staff and MBK/LCRP, she got an internal loan from the SHG of Rs.24,000 and a CIF amount of Rs.20,000 to set up the flour mill. She earns Rs.6,000 each month and plans to get a loan to expand the business.

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Kalaburagi

CEO's Note

Cementing a Bright Future The Sanjeevini programme in Kalaburagi district has a broad ambit for SHGs and its focus is on bringing in all those on the fringes into the mainstream of the economy. Women who are members of self help group in Kalaburagi district have used the CIF given under the Sanjeevini NRLM scheme to carry out various livelihood activities such as setting up small mud and cement brick plants, pottery making, sanitary napkin manufacturing plant, Lambani kasuti, Ilkal saree embroidery, jaggery vending centre, vermicelli making, bakery, paper plate manufacturing unit, apart from maintaining livestock such as dairy, sheep and poultry.

SHG

Role Model Shree Kannadathi Stree Shakti SHG, Afzalpur taluk

This women’s self help group has emerged as a stellar example of the success that determined women can achieve with the help of NRLM. Moving from home decor to the socially beneficial activity of making sanitary napkins and diapers, Shree Kannadathi Stree Shakti is a commercial success.

Says Dr. Raja P, CEO, Kalaburagi Zilla Panchayat, “The Sanjeevini NRLM scheme has played a significant role in promoting livelihood activities, especially of women, through self help groups, and this has helped enhance their socio-economic and educational conditions. The scheme has not only up-skilled them to meet present day needs, but has also helped them to reinvent their livelihoods.”

GPLFs have been created SHGs have been integrated into GPLFs

Women belonging to rural poor households and vulnerable groups are organised through self help groups by the District Mission Management Unit. Under the project, 90 people have been identified

WLFs and new SHGs have been formed

Close to 70,000 families are benefitted.

Sanjeevini/ NRLM/ government/ bank Interventions: as Master Community Resource Persons, 198 Community Resource Persons, 160 Master Book keepers, and 33 people have been trained to develop self help livelihood activities.

Monthly meetings of GPLFs help in identifying rural women below the poverty line, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribes, disabled, landless, sex workers, sexual minorities and migrant workers who are willing to start livelihood activities. These meetings have helped facilitate the starting of 1,206 small capital projects. Under the scheme, a revolving fund ranging from Rs.15 lakh to Rs.60 lakh each has been released to 400 SHGs through direct bank transfers to beneficiaries’ accounts. Further, community investment fund

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“Money has the power to grant you confidence. No woman should be deprived of it. As women start working, they will become independent”, says Surekha Padaki, president, Shree Kannadathi Stree Shakti SHG.

to the tune of Rs.197 lakh has been released to 27 GPLFs, and under it Microfinance Fund has been released as a Micro Investment Plan grant to 69 SHGs for initiating livelihood activities.

Exposure to market and distribution network through SARAS mela

Rs.10 lakh sanctioned under 'Kayak Bandhu'.

Sales at GPLF meetings

CIF funds : Rs.2 lakh Bank Loan at an interest rate of 12% per annum (2014-15) Infrastructure : From a single store to 3 stores Increase in production : Sanjeevini intervention of Rs.5 crore order for sanitary napkins from Bangladesh Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.60,000 from Home Decor Items and Rs 3 lakh-Rs.5 Lakh from sanitary napkins Sanjeevini | 81

Kodagu Shree Kannadathi Sanjeevini Gram Panchayath Level Federation in Mashal, Afzalpur taluk, Kalaburagi district consists of 400 women who make sanitary napkins, diapers and home decorative items. Shree Kannadathi Stree Shakti dates back to 2006 when Surekha Padaki, the president of the group began to make decorative pieces for homes when her children began going to school. Encouraged by the good response, she involved a few neighbours and started manufacturing in bulk with a sum of personal investments. Having heard the Prime Minister’s speech on ‘Mann ki Baat’ about the National Rural Livelihood Mission, the SHG approached the Sanjeevini team and expressed their desire to join them. And she hasn’t looked back, after coming under the fold of NRLM. Sales have zoomed up from Rs.15,000-Rs.35,000 per month to Rs.2.5 lakh – Rs.3 lakh every month. From a single shop, the enterprise now has three wholesale shops in Afzalpur Taluk (Kalaburagi district), Kalaburagi and Vijayapura, apart from selling at government-sponsored exhibitions every couple of months. The foray into sanitary napkins started with a personal experience. In 2011, Surekha suffered from a serious itching problem caused by sanitary napkins and spent as much Rs.5,000 for treatment. “It made me realize the importance of good health. I shared my thoughts at a meeting of our self help group and we decided to diversify into making sanitary pads, baby diapers and adult diapers. The SHG had collaborated with the Nagpur-based Bharti Hygiene Care Pvt. Ltd., the makers of ‘Snowy Pads’. The company sources various raw materials such

as non-woven fabric, gum, gel paper and releasing paper from Canada, and supplies the same to Surekha’s group, which in turn manufactures and supplies finished pads and diapers to the brand. The partnership seems to be working wonders as the group makes about Rs. 5 lakh every month. It has also sought permission from the government to supply the pads to ration shops across Kalaburagi and Chikkaballapur districts. “Every district should have a sanitary pad manufacturing unit. This will ensure that women's right to hygiene and good health is preserved”, she says. With 15 core members who are also the ownermanagers, the group has 400 active female members and boasts of zero caste-based discrimination in employment. So what are the challenges that the SHG is facing? “None” claims Surekha, “We have Sanjeevini's unstinting support. We have permission to supply to shops around us, loans and subsidies are readily available and we have our share of exposure at the government exhibitions. Whatever we manufacture, gets sold. On the human resource side, we arrange a monthly meeting for all our workers. It is our grievance redressal mechanism. This helps every member in being on the same page with the management. We are quite satisfied.” Apart from financial success, the sense of contentment in providing employment and good health to fellow villagers is a bonus for Surekha. The group plans to diversify to toor dal manufacturing. It plans to set up a manufacturing plant soon in the near future with direct links to farmers.

CEO's Note

Aromas of Sustainability Kodagu, located in a predominantly forest and coffee belt, is also a tourist destination. Sustainable livelihood activities for rural women here include farming-related activities, harvesting honey and selling homemade products.

K. Lakshmi Priya, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, Kodagu, says that the NRLM programme has reached 1,764 SHGs consisting of 17,858 households. 71 Gram Panchayat Level, 316 Ward Level Federations, 291 New SHGs have been formed and trained. The following activities have been undertaken to support them:

GPLFs have received Community Investment Fund and they have distributed it to SHGs, and more than 876 individuals have benefited from this.

30 GPLFs have received Rs. 6.35 lakh Startup Fund.

4,893 SHGs have been linked to banks and have been disbursed loans of Rs.8,459.50 lakh.

6,020 SHG members are covered under insurance schemes, and 830 members covered under pension schemes.

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SHG Training

Rearing Success Stories

Mushroom cultivation by KVK centre, Kodagu

Amrutha SHG, Madikeri taluk

Poultry, piggery and agriculture related works by the Animal Husbandry department

Honey collection kit provided by the Horticulture department provided to SHG members

Tailoring training by COBSETI, Kudige, and the Textiles department

Cattle sheds constructed for SHGs through MGNREGA convergence

Coming together has helped the women of the Amrutha self help group to take up livelihood activities such as poultry, pig and cow farming and candle-making.

The training and financial support have helped SHG members take up the following livelihood activities: ¿ Dairy farming, goat rearing, piggery, poultry and fishery ¿ Horticulture & agri related works, including mushroom cultivation, honey harvesting ¿ Bakery, papad & pickle making, sambar powder, coffee powder and homemade wines

and juices

¿ Services such as beautician, tailoring, soap oil and phenol ¿ Petty shop and mini supermarkets ¿ Cotton cloth bag units

“Our improved earnings has led to better health and social security. Self-employment has given us self-respect and dignity.” says Sundari, president, Amrutha self help group.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Benefits provided by MNREGA and various government departments and bank loans of Rs.50,000 per member

EDP training for members

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SHG

Milking Progress

CIF: Rs.75,000

Bharathiya Mahila SHG, Madikeri taluk Average monthly sales in 2020: 35 kg candles & 200 eggs

Established in 2016, Amrutha SHG has a team of nine women and is located in the Mekeri village of Madikeri taluk in Kodagu district. The members belong to Scheduled Castes/Tribes, and being the poorest of the rural poor, the self help group helps them achieve their basic goal of survival. The GPLF provided this group with credit from the community investment funds to undertake various economic activities. With savings of Rs.67,600 and a loan of Rs.50,000 from the Kaveri Rural Bank, the members have engaged in self-employment activities such as poultry, pig and cow farming and candle-making. Additionally, the group has received credit facilities from other government departments and training. “Sanjeevini staff have been guiding us throughout. In fact, they were the ones to suggest we go in for

candle-making in our spare time for additional income” says Sundari, the president of the self help group.

The Bharathiya Mahila self help group, apart from improving the lives of its members, is making a mark by improving the local economy with activities like dairy farming.

In order to scale up their home-grown poultries, each member applied for a small loan of Rs.50,000. “The manager of our local Grameena Bank came to see our poultry and was very impressed. She suggested we go into piggery as pork is almost like a staple diet in our place. Sanjeevini staff brought officers of the Poultry Federation of Karnataka and the Veterinary Officer to our meeting. These officers also helped us get pigs and milking cows through government schemes”, adds Sundari. With a decent market for poultry and pork, the SHG members are able to make their ends meet as well as repay interests on loans in time.

“I used to be scared to speak in public, but after attending Sanjeevini meetings, I confidently attend Gram Sabha meetings and speak about our rights and entitlements”, says Lalitha, adding, “ I was overjoyed when my request for a cattle shed under MNREGA was approved.”

Sanjeevini Interventions: SHG members are active associates of the GPLF (formed under Sanjeevini) and regularly participate in group activities.

EDP training by RSETI.

Timely availability of credit and financial support from MNREGA, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Departments, and KMF.

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Kolar CIF

: Rs.75,000

Bank loans

: Rs.50,000 per member

CEO's Note

Sowing Support, Reaping Success

Increase in the production of milk, fishery and piggery observed Average monthly sales in 2020 : Fishery - 20 kg Milk - 150 litres Piggery - 25-30 kg

Bharathiya Mahila self help group in Maragodu Gram Panchayat in Madikeri taluk of Kodagu district consists of 16 members who formed the group in 2013 after overcoming oppression. Their courage and hope has inspired several others to dream for a better future. The members are engaged in livelihood activities such as in dairy farming, pig and fish farming. “We formed the Bharatiya Mahila SHG as we wanted to earn more money; we wanted better education for our children and the well-being of our families. The self-employment activities have provided a source of additional income. We are trying to empower each other and the other women of the village” says MS Lalitha, president of the group. Apart from the CIF, the SHG members also have a savings bank account with a total deposit of Rs.80,000 and an additional credit of Rs.50,000. The money has allowed them to take up alternative

livelihood activities, apart from farming and they have taken up dairy farming, piggery and fisheries. Those who own cattle sell about 5 litres – 6 litres of milk each day. Members have undergone entrepreneurship skills training and various government departments provide constant support through credit facilities. The group’s reputation is good as members are regular in repaying their loans. The group is now thinking of starting a small production unit of dairy products for local markets. “The bank manager has been telling us to take another loan now that we have finished repayment of our earlier loan. We want to make home-made butter, ghee and paneer. The Sanjeevini team has promised to get us training in making dairy products” says Lalitha.

Change has been gradual but sure amongst the economically background rural populace in Kolar district; currently 2,014 SHGs and 28,523 households are covered under NRLM.

Says Darshan HV, CEO, Zilla Panchayat, Kolar, “The Sanjeevini programme has been effective in changing mindsets of members of self help groups. They are active in forming Gram Panchayat Level Federations and taking up economic activities.” The positive results are most visible in the three taluks of Mulbagal, Kolar and Malur; GPLFs have been formed in all 30 Gram Panchayats in Mulbagal taluk, in 18 out of 36 GPs in Kolar and in 10 out of 28 GPs in Malur. Efforts are on to extend them to the rest of the GPs in these taluks and to cover GPs in Srinivaspura and Bangarpet taluks in the current year.

GPLFs cover villages; WLFs and SHGs have been formed involving 28,253 households.

Financial assistance by way of CIF has been released to 28 GPLFs.

Revolving Fund was released to eligible SHGs.

The majority of the members of self help groups have used loans to take up dairying, sheep rearing and agriculture; a few have set up tailoring, petty shops, making food items (sambar and other masala powders, ragi and millet powders).

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Champion Fifteen Micro SHG enterprises in the district are involved in regular economic activities, and a few of them were encouraged to participate in SARAS melas and International Trade Fairs at Kolkata, Patna and Mumbai during the current year. Their products were well received by the public. Plans for 2020-21 include: ¾

Each GP to compulsorily enable one or more Sanjeevini SHGs to start poultry in their house backyard and to rear eggs for supply to anganwadis

The 58 GPLFs are to identify members of SHGs and form a producers group locally to take up any economic activity and to earn their livelihood

140 trained SHG members under different cadres to be deployed in 58 GPLFs to create awareness amongst SHG members about various schemes of the government and the facilities available to women in rural areas

Inculcate the habit of savings and advantages of micro investment plan in each household

Farm producers groups to take up economic activities such as, tailoring, preparation of food items (sambar and masala powders, ragi and millet malt), making detergent and floor cleaning items

Recipe for Women's Developement Sanjeevini Champion: Devi Bai, Malur taluk

All it takes for a change to come about is a motivated person. Devi Bai, a woman in Malenahalli village, is hailed as a model of socio-economic development for creating an award winning self help group.

Thanks to Sanjeevini, talented rural women entrepreneurs like Devi Bai have been introduced to new markets for their products and are enthused about participating in many more fairs.

The Maheshwari Stree Shakti Sangha is a self help group in Rajenahalli village in Malur taluk of Kolar district. Formed in 1996, it currently has 20 members. The members are justifiably proud of having won the Kittur Rani Channamma award for the best working and best maintained SHG in 2014. The award includes a cash component of Rs.50,000. The impetus for the formation of this group came from Devi Bai; after studying till Class 10, she gained the Hindi Ratna qualification and soon began encouraging women in her neighbourhood who were mostly agricultural labourers from Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. With her support, they began to supplement their income by making nutritional products such as popped ragi and millets malt powders. Not only were they able to support their families, they were also able to afford to educate their children. The group’s activities drew the attention of the state government which provided a Revolving Fund (RF) of Rs.5,000 in 2011. It was also awarded a cash prize of

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Rs.20,000 for being the best SHG group. Apart from the award money and other funds extended by the government, the group has saved up Rs.5 lakh which it uses to extend internal credit to its members. What’s more, in all its years of existence, it has only once taken a loan of Rs.3 lakh, which was repaid, and for the past 10 years, has been managing the livelihood of members out of the earnings of the SHG. The Sanjeevini project chose Devi Bai to attend the Internationa Trade Fair, the annual SARAS mela in Patna, Bihar, in January 2020. Devi says that it was a wonderful opportunity for rural women entrepreneurs to sell their products at a national trade fair and is now geared up for other events and programmes within the state and outside. Devi Bai and the Maheshwari Stree Shakti Sangha are examples of economic development, financial development and social prestige that women gain through the National Rural Livelihood Mission, ‘Sanjeevini’, in Karnataka.

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Champion

Spicy Success

Decorating Progress

Sanjeevini Champion: Manjula, Malur taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Vijayamma, Mulbagal taluk

The flavours of sambar and other masala powders from Karnataka waft across West Bengal and other states, thanks to an enterprising woman’s self help group led by Manjula of Kolar district.

Not so long ago, Vijayamma was just another agricultural labourer in a village trying to add a little more money to the family kitty by making decorative items. With Sanjeevini’s help, she’s now all set to access markets across India.

Manjula and her daughter have become quite the local heroines with local news in Kolar giving them wide coverage for their achievement.

When Manjula was chosen by Zilla Panchayat officials to participate in the India International Mega Trade Fair at Kolkata in December 2019, it was yet another page in the life of this champion from Jodipura village in Malur taluk.

help group. In recent years, she has become involved in the Sanjeevini programme and learnt about the various benefits that it offers such as membership of the Women SHG Federation and opportunities to participate in SARAS melas.

She has been a part of the 16-member Sri Mahalaxmi Self Help Group that was formed in 2002. Its members are very active and participate regularly in their weekly meetings and are prompt in repaying internal loans. The group has so far taken half a dozen bank loans and repaid promptly each time, and the total savings of the group currently is Rs.11 lakh. Manjula has been leading the group and shown members ways of earning an income by taking up economic activities. She has been making a variety of masala and health food powders, such as millet powder, a variety of sambar powders, masala powder and more, for the past 8 years .

Manjula was initially reluctant when the NRLM staff of Kolar identified her to participate in a SARAS mela to be held out of the state. But she mustered courage thanks to the encouragement of Sanjeevini staff, and participated in the India International Mega Trade Fair at Kolkata in December 2019. Her homemade products such as sambar, masala and millet powders were quick to sell, and several customers revisited the fair to buy her products. Manjula also received orders from retailers and wholesalers in Kolkata, and is now considering a plan to expand the manufacturing of the masalas with an interest free loan offered by the President of KCDCC Bank.

Word of mouth got her consumers from far and wide who have been buying from her homestore. Over the years, this business has grown enough for her to educate her children in engineering and MBA courses. Manjula credits this achievement to the self

And while Manjula looks forward to a larger market and better financial position for her family, in yet another welcome surprise, her daughter also received wide acclaim at the same trade fair and earned good profits from art that she had created on recycled bottles.

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Vijayamma has become a confident participant in exhibitions & fairs.

Vijayamma is one of 14 women who are members of the Mariyamma Stree Shakti Mahila Sangha, S Bisanahalli village, Agara Gram Panchayat, Mulbagal taluk in Kolar district. Formed in 2017, the SHG has savings of Rs.70,000, and members use this for internal lending, without taking recourse to external loans. The members are agricultural labourers and some of them are involved in making decorative products with locally available materials. Vijayamma uses chicken feathers that are usually discarded as waste and fashions them into door hangings, earrings and similar objects. At a recent SHG Federation meeting, she learnt about the benefits of the SARAS melas and expressed

her interest in participating in such fairs. NRLM staff of the Zilla Panchayat selected Vijayamma to participate in the Mahalaxmi Saras 2020 in Mumbai. Overcoming the family's hesitation, she travelled to Mumbai by train with her products and successfully participated in the event. She says that her family was delighted with her success and other women in her village have been inspired to take part in similar fairs. As for her, she is grateful for the guidance and support by Sanjeevini staff and is looking forward to attending SARAS melas in different states. Going by her experience in her first mela, she is confident that she can get a bigger market and earn more money for her family.

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Koppala

Champion

Mother Courage

Toys of Joy

Sanjeevini Champion: Vijayalakshmi Gowda, Gangavathi taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Lalitamma Badiger, Kushtagi taluk

When her family was stuck below the poverty line, this villager in Koppala district discovered that her innate talent could come to the rescue.

A child bride in Koppala district has overcome the challenges of early widowhood, becoming a successful entrepreneur and an activist for women’s rights.

Vijayalakshmi is hailed as one of the Sanjeevini champions as, apart from helping herself, she shows the way to several other women as an activist. Much to her own surprise, she has grown into a confident popular public speaker, and this is also a result of joining a self help group, she says.

Thanks to Sanjeevini, Lalitamma’s family has a secure livelihood and a good future.

Lalitamma Badiger belongs to Hanumasagar in Kushtagi taluk of Koppala district. She comes from a family of carpenters, and while her husband Sheshappa was skilled in the craft, he had not taken it up as a profession, and their family of five faced many financial problems. Things changed when Lalitamma joined the Shri Mouneshwara SHG under the Dharma Jyothi Sanjeevini Women’s Federation. The NRLM scheme helped her get an internal loan of Rs.15,000 from the self help group to buy raw materials and she started making wooden toys for kids. When

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the demand for the toys began to increase, she involved her husband in the business and between them, the couple were able to increase the variety and number of wooden toys. Soon she took a second CIF loan of Rs.20,000 and began to participate in several fairs and exhibitions. Their toys today are much sought after and earn a decent profit for the family. With savings of Rs.300 per day, Lalitamma is happy that she can provide for the wellbeing of the family and her children’s education.

Vijayalakshmi of Gundur village in Gangavathi taluk of Koppala district was married at just six years of age. She became a mother to a daughter at 19, and unfortunately, she lost her husband the very next year. Her family encouraged her to study and she completed the pre-university course, but had to stop studying further due to financial problems. Some time later, encouraged by neighbours, she graduated through the Open University. Soon after, while considering job prospects, Vijayalakshmi saw an opportunity to work from home by selling clothes. Encouraged by the response, she was guided by other members of the Mother Teresa self help group to apply for a loan. This 10-member group was formed in 2010, and Vijayalakshmi had been a member since its inception. The group was sanctioned a bank loan of Rs.6.5 lakh, and in turn, Vijayalakshmi got Rs.65,000 from the group. With this investment,

her business began to show good growth. Next, she received training in making artificial garlands and in turn, trained 10 women in the self help group in making them, giving them an opportunity to earn an extra income while helping her grow. Her small scale unit now makes a variety of garlands that range in price from Rs.25 to Rs.15,000. Yalakki hara, Rudrakshi hara and Pearls hara are among the popular varieties of garlands. Vijayalakhsmi’s monthly income is about Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000 and she is able to educate her daughter and afford a good life for both of them. Vijayalakshmi helps many other women by spreading awareness in the village about the importance of women’s education and empowerment. She has spearheaded the drive to get women to open bank accounts and ensured that one thousand bank accounts were opened under the Jan Dhan scheme. Sanjeevini | 95

Mandya

SHG

Spice Girls' Powder Power Bhavani SHG, Melkote, Pandavapura taluk

Aromatic and colourful spices fuel the growth of the Bhavani self help group in Mandya district, comprising women members who sell handmade puliyogare, sambar and rasam powders.

Bhavani, a self help group in the temple town of Melkote, in Pandavapura taluk of Mandya district, is engaged in making the basic staples of local cuisine: puliyogare, sambar and rasam powders that use spics such as cumin, coriander, mustard, fenugreek, black sesame, pepper, split Bengal gram, black gram seeds, tamarind, salt, oil, asafoetida, dried red chillies, turmeric powder, peanuts and curry leaves. “Bhavani is run by women, though our husbands help out at times”, says Malati K, the enthusiastic founder. The 40-year old is proud to look back at five years of birthing and nurturing the group. Initially, the group had multiple issues in getting funds, production and finding buyers. But slowly things turned over and Bhavani has expanded since 2015. Many women of the group have also taken up different

initiatives, such as setting up a tailoring shop or a canteen. Malati runs a small canteen from her home, apart from running the group. Although established brands have a big market share, Bhavani’s powders have their own customers as the products are lower priced. The handmade powders have rich, earthy flavours that attract discerning buyers. Bhavani makes 300 packets every month, depending on the orders, products and size of the packets. The group takes orders on the phone and makes 300 packets a month; however each member is capable of making 100 packets a month, and are eager to grow. They are now hungry for growth, to get more orders, scale up production and make their brand known. They also take orders for weddings and festivals.

“We want to expand, and get fame and name outside our home ground,” says Malati, president, Bhavani self help group.

Sanjeevini Interventions from 2016: CIF: Rs.1,25,000 to 20 members at 12% interest

Cost of production: Rs.15,000 per month

Average monthly sales: Rs.25,000 per month

Average monthly profit: Rs.10,000 to Rs.12,000 per month

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Mysuru

CEO's Note

Enabling Winners

The following activities have been undertaken to further the cause of social development in this district:

The Sanjeevini-NRLM scheme has enrolled women from 1,57,191 households in Mysuru district and, says K Jyothi, CEO, Mysuru Zilla Panchayat, “the aim is to encourage at least one woman in each rural household to be part of a self help group, and help women become self reliant and financially stable.”

To this end, 266 Gram Panchayat Level Federations and 1,398 Ward Level Federations have been formed in the district. 1,087 new self help groups have been formed and 10,983 self help groups have been registered under the Sanjeevini scheme.

are bought by government offices. Convergence activities have also linked the federations to various government departments. For example, the Agriculture department trained members in production of organic food products.

2,150 members from these SHGs run small and micro enterprises that are engaged in livelihood activities such as making agarbatti (incense sticks), pottery, handicrafts, organic food products, phenyl; poultry farming, sheep and goat rearing.

Many SHG members have actively participated in various SARAS fairs organized in different states under the Sanjeevini Scheme. Shri Lakshmi Self Help Group from Nanjangud taluk in the district has won the best National level SHG Award.

Members have set up and operate cafes, flour mill units, arecanut dehusking units, grocery shops, beauty salons, florists, photo studios, chemists and offer services such as tailoring. Providing and marketing facilities to the already active SHGs has also been done.

CIF grants provide low interest loans to eligible SHG members to enable them to engage in profitable activities, and necessary assistance and guidance are extended. The majority of the loans sought in the district are for agricultural activities and dairying, and the beneficiaries have achieved considerable progress.

Apart from financial assistance, the groups also have access to ready markets as their products

950 toilets were constructed under the Swachh Bharat Mission for SHG members.

A cleanup campaign was organized by all the SHGs in the district.

Construction of cattle sheds, common work sheds, kitchen gardens have been undertaken.

Insurance facilities have been provided through convergence of funds with different departments.

Gender sensitisation workshops, Poshan Abhiyan and other programmes have been organised at the taluk level.

With most families in the district engaged in farming activities, creation of production groups in agriculture has been planned.

A project has been designed to identify SHGs involved in dairy farming and extend assistance with modern technology.

Information has already been submitted to the State Office for setting up 2 Forest Development Centres by identifying women in tribal villages in 2 taluks.

Self help groups in Mysuru Zilla Panchayat are working their way towards social, economic and educational development. Shri Lakshmi Self Help Group from Nanjangud taluk in the district has won the best National level SHG Award.

The district has given community grants to 196 GPLFs.

46,637 SHG members have obtained loans amounting to Rs.11,042.32 lakh.

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Bank linkages for Rs.1,752.40 lakh has been achieved.

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Champion

Holding a Lifeline

Organic Growth

Sanjeevini Champion: Gopamma, Nanjangud taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Puttamma, Nanjangud taluk

Ropes and brooms have proved to be the source of sustenance for the family of Gopamma in Mysuru district.

Sanjeevini’s intervention has been the lifeline that helped revive Gopamma’s life.

Gopamma lives in Hullahalli village and her husband travelled to other villages and towns to sell ropes. When he became seriously ill with asthma, he was forced to stop work. Unable to manage without his earnings, Gopamma decided she had to manage the business, and renting a small shop, began selling ropes. She joined the Sri Chikkadevamma Shri Shantha Shakthi Self Help Society under the Sanjeevini Gram

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Panchayat Level Federation, and received a CIF loan of Rs.25,000. With this money, she involved her family in making ropes and brooms. The business yields an income of Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,500 each week; she has also begun trading in neighbouring villages that she visits twice a week. She invested Rs.10,000 and earns a weekly income of Rs.3,500 which helps get better treatment for her husband and enables her to repay the debt.

From vending vegetables to growing an organic farm that employs half a dozen women, this Sanjeevini champion woman in rural Mysuru rose from below the poverty line in five years.

Puttamma has become an independent vegetable grower

Puttamma is from Hullahalli village on the banks of the Kapila River, in Nanjangud taluk of Mysore district. After the premature death of her husband, who was the sole earning member of the family, she struggled to care for herself and her two children. She was employed by a vegetable vendor in his shop. Members of the Shri Sharada Self Help Group encouraged her to join them, and with the group’s support, she decided to become independent and sell vegetables on her own. She got an internal loan of Rs.25,000 and started earning a couple of hundred of

rupees each day. The biggest hurdle was that she had to go to other places to buy vegetables as her village did not grow vegetables. To reduce the additional expense and effort, she decided to rent farm land and started to grow vegetables after borrowing Rs.25,000 from a bank to help expand the business. She now participates in farmers’ markets in neighbouring villages and is able to earn Rs.18,000 per month. She aims to pay off debts quickly and is happy that along with her own economic well-being she is able to help other women.

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Perseverance Pays

Bringing Nature to People

Sanjeevini Champion: Sarojamma Gowda, HD Kote taluk

Bharatmata Sanjeevini SHG, Hunsur taluk

One of the hallmarks of Sanjeevini champions is their talent to make the most of the opportunities and keep improving their lives, along with that of others. Sarojamma went on to start two enterprises with the help of Sanjeevini.

Sarojamma Gowda took up goat farming and improved her livelihood

Sarojamma Gowda lives in the village of Chikkareyoor in HD Kote taluk and has a family of five whose main source of sustenance was an acre of farmland. However, the lack of adequate irrigation yielded a very small annual income of Rs.35,000 and there were many weeks when they could not work on the farm. Sarojamma joined the Annapoorneshwari Mahila Self Help Group and enquired about options that would help her get a supplementary income. Acting upon the suggestion to open a kirana store, she borrowed

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Rs.25,000 through the Sanjeevini scheme. Once she had the shop going, she decided to start goat farming. Initially, she faced difficulties in both businesses but was able to overcome them with the right training. She now sells the goats directly to vendors, without middlemen, and is able to increase her monthly income and profits. While the standard of living of the family has improved, their social status has also bettered, and Sarojamma has become a mentor to other women in the village.

Members of the Hakki Pikki tribe in Mysuru district have seen a positive impact on their livelihood when they formed a self help group to sell their handmade traditional hair oils and creams.

“The benefits of Ayurveda must reach the masses as an alternative to chemical-laced cosmetics. I want to see our products touch the lives of every individual”, says Bindiya Amber, head of the Bharatmata Sanjeevini self help group.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Training in financial management & entrepreneurship

Workshop on brand building, packaging & marketing

Participation in government-sponsored exhibitions across the country

Registered on online marketing platforms including GEM

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SHG CIF : Rs.1.25 lakh loan at 12% interest. Infrastructure : Helped start a small Ayurvedic oil making plant Increase in production : 200 litres Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.1.5 lakh

For generations, members of the semi-nomadic Hakki Pikki (Vaghri) tribe in Mysuru district of Karnataka, have relied on their intimate knowledge of the forest to make medicines, oils and creams. While the women of the tribe usually polish and sell beads or flower vases, a couple of decades back, a member of the tribe, Bindiya Amber and her family hailing from First Pakshirajapura in Hunsur taluk, started selling their home-made oils door-to-door as a means of financial sustenance. They made quite an impact with their long, jet-black hair which lent credence to the claim that regular use of the hair massage oil would prevent hair fall and restore hair. They were soon able to build a good clientele in and around Mysuru. In 2016, Sanjeevini officials in Mysuru intervened and encouraged Bindiya and other women from her tribe to form a self help group. Buoyed by the assurance of support and exposure to a bigger market, and dreaming of a better life for their children, began the Bharatmata Sanjeevini Self Help Group. The team comprises 12 women from the neighbourhood and members of Bindiya’s family, who carefully handpick ingredients from the forests to make medicated oils, massage oils and hair oils targeted for

specific uses, apart from ornamental copper rings and copper bracelets.

A Staple Success Lakshmi Chapati Manufacturing Unit, Nanjangud taluk

Feeding people simple, good food at work has led to an entire village being involved in a small scale food enterprise. The Lakshmi Chapati Manufacturing Unit in Mysuru district has become a legend of sorts in the annals of self help groups in Karnataka.

The hair oil is made from dry masalas (jadi or roots) such as lavancha, ber, balmun, kala jeera, methi powder, badam, amla powder, bhringraj, shikakai, tea leaves, nilambari and roots of kasturi, and wet masalas (kachcha) include amla, aloe vera, dasvara, rose petals, neem leaves, brahmi, kaiunni, kodaialla, castor beans, brighraj, guava leaves, mint leaves, basil leaves, lime, onion, coconut and sweet neem leaves. The group’s personalised sales technique is unique - when the women of Bharatmata Sanjeevini shake loose their long, dark tresses, shoppers are fascinated and quick to buy the oil. The group can be contacted on WhatsApp number 6353429648, its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/Bharatmataherbal/ about/?ref=page_internal, and its website http:// bharathmataayurvedic.com/ for door delivery of orders. It accepts digital payments and cash on delivery. With hopes of scaling up production in factories and selling their products through big companies, the group wants to see Bharatmata Sanjeevini becoming a household name.

This unit serves as a model of a group alternative livelihood endeavour. The business had expanded multi-fold since the earlier days, and just as Sanjeevini inspires their efforts and hard work, the women inspire Sanjeevini to work harder for them.

Sanjeevini Interventions: The success of the unit has led to the establishment of similar units, the members of which were provided training at RSETI, Mysuru. Facilitated by Sanjeevini, the unit members have trained members of other similar units in chapati-making using machinery. The marketing team of Sanjeevini is actively trying to expand the group’s business horizon and is approaching a potential list of clientele in Mysuru. A proposal has been envisaged by Sanjeevini to construct common work sheds to help the group members with the required infrastructure.

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Raichur CIF : Rs.6 lakh Infrastructure : Land by Gram Panchayat and building by TVS Motor Company Increase in production : From 500 chapatis a day, progressive increase to 6,000 a day Average monthly sales in 2020 : An average of 1,68,000 chapatis & a turnover of Rs.3.25 lakh

The year 2001 was the beginning of the self help group movement in the village of Kembal of Rampur Gram Panchayat of Nanjangud taluk, and eight SHGs came into being. In 2003, with the intervention of Sanjeevini, the Lakshmi Chapati Manufacturing Unit was established in partnership between the Srinivasan Trust and the 16 members of the 8 self help groups. The initial investment was Rs.1.6 lakh; and while each SHG contributed Rs.10,000, the Trust contributed Rs.80,000. The members were trained in handling money and also in book keeping by Sanjeevini and the Gram Panchayat gave a small piece of land to the group on lease. During the early days, the capacity of the unit was 500 chapatis per day. With a gradual increase in capacity, it produces 6,000 chapatis a day that are reasonably priced at Rs.1.95, and boasts of a clientele that ranges from TVS Motor Company to super markets. The members devote about 4 to 5 hours in the early mornings to making chapatis and earn a daily income of Rs.350. Within a span of a decade, the Lakshmi Chapati Manufacturing Unit has inspired other women to

start similar manufacturing facilities. Sanjeevini has been approached by various groups to aid in the establishment of chikki and Mysore pak production units. The success of the unit boosted the confidence of several other women, and 30 women approached Sanjeevini officials with a request to help them start a similar facility. The women were enrolled in the Entrepreneurship Development Program at RSETI, Mysuru, and a training programme was set up with Lakshmi Chapati Unit. With the aim of increasing the production capacity, the group has identified a place for an additional workshed that it plans to build with support from Sanjeevini. “We are looking forward to putting up an additional unit with the solar powered chapathi machine. Sanjeevini showed us the video, and it’s amazing to see that machines can make chapatis”, says Mahadevamma with a laugh. Sanjeevini has planned to support the group with a new Solar Chapati Machine under a pilot programme planned in the 2020-21 Action Plan with the aid of SELCO.

CEO's Note

Diversifying Livelihood Options While farming is the main source of livelihood in Raichur district, self help groups are productively engaged in other livelihood options such as animal husbandry, crafts such as tailoring and embroidery, and handicrafts such as terracotta and pearl jewellery.

Laxmi Kanth Reddy, CEO, Raichur Zilla Panchayat, says, “We have established 4800 SHGs that cover 30,485 households and have established 348 WLFS and 81 GPLFs under the Sanjeevini NRLM programme”.

Aadhar seeding of 30,485 SHG members

Revolving Fund to 450 SHGs

CIF to 21 GPLFs

Identified and trained - 80 MCRPs, 43 BRPs, 43 MBKs & 65 LCRPs

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SHG SHGs have received support at various levels: 2,654 SHGs have received orientation in Panchasutra and book keeping. 100 SHG members were supported with training on income generation activities at CFTRI, Mysuru, and another 100 at RSETI, Raichur. 2,654 SHGs are linked to banks.

There are 10 Sanjeevini SHG micro-enterprises in Raichur which have been supported through: Training in:

Courage of Conviction Sridevi Sri Shakti SHG, Sindhanur taluk

Taking a bold step in pushing for the creation of a self help group, the women of Ele Koodlagi village have displayed commendable determination throughout their journey, from initial failure to success. With Sanjeevini’s help, they have grown from strength to strength.

¾ Food processing, manufacturing of fruits and vegetable jams, millets processing and value added products, manufacturing spices ¾ Poultry, training in sheep rearing, animal husbandry and dairy activities. ¾ Tailoring and embroidery Bank Linkages ¾ Bank linkages and loans were facilitated Marketing: ¾ Supported their participation in Patna International Mega Trade fair, Kolkata International Mega Trade fair, Bengaluru SARAS Mela and Gadag SARAS Mela. ¾ Training on GEM The Members of this SHG are dedicated to their work.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Members underwent 3-day entrepreneurship training programme. The Sanjeevini team conducted a market survey to assess the reason for poor demand. Post-assessment, group members were given a 5-day training in the right methods of production. Additional CIF loans are expected after the SHG becomes a member of Sanjeevini Mahasathi GPLF.

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SHG Loan of Rs.3 lakh from the Pragati Krishna Rural Bank of Harapura village Increase in production: From 50-100 chapatis to 600-800 chapatis Average monthly sales in 2020: Rs.70,000 – Rs.80,000

Sridevi Sri Shakti Self Help Group in Ele Koodlagi village in Sindhanur taluk of Raichur district consists of 15 members who make paper plates and chapatis. Inspired by an Anganwadi teacher who formed a women's group in a neighbouring village, these women approached the managers of the Pragathi Krishna Rural Bank in Harapura village, and with their help, the Sridevi SHG was formed in 2005. Soon their monthly savings doubled but they wanted to achieve more and decided to make paper plates. With the required training and funds, the members bought a paper plate manufacturing machine. However, the paper plates didn’t do well in the market and the group temporarily halted production. At this juncture, the Sanjeevini non-farm team conducted a market survey and assessed that the lack of quality was the major deterrent to consumer demand. With Sanjeevini’s intervention, a local paper plate manufacturing unit trained the SHG members in the right way using the available equipment. One of the members, Laxmi, was given training and

appointed as the Master BookKeeper. Meanwhile, the SHG had also begun to make chapatis and demand for these grew at a steady pace. Currently, it supplies chapatis to wedding caterers in nearby villages. The group now has a daily turnover of Rs.2,500 - Rs.3,000 from the combined manufacture of chapatis and paper plates. With the steady flow of revenue, the personal financial conditions of the women are also improving.

A Creative Enterprise Chiguru SHG, Manvi taluk

Demonstrating that they have truly learnt the meaning of ‘self help’, the women of Chiguru Swasahaya Gumpu in Raichur district reinvented their business model and are happy to sell their terracotta jewellery across India.

Sanjeevini’s State Programme Manager Bellegowda and District Manager Vijay Kumar have praised the SHG for its progress. Says Bellegowda, “I have monitored the activities of the Sridevi Sri Shakti Group. These women work very systematically and their business is flourishing. Sanjeevini provides them with a good market, and the members live a comfortable life due to a steady income flow.” Impressed by their diligence, former Sanjeevini Mission Director Dr. BR Mamatha had directed the Zilla Panchayat to provide a solar roti maker to the self help group.

Former Sanjeevini Mission Director Dr. BR Mamatha (centre) with SHG members

“Our terracotta jewellery now has a good market thanks to Sanjeevini. Young women especially like these beautiful, yet inexpensive jewellery”, say the members of Chiguru.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Members were trained in maintaining product quality Provided a platform to participate in state-wide exhibitions SHG was nominated to participate in the Patna International Trade Fair Space to sell their products at a monthly market at a resort in Kamalapura village

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Ramanagara Infrastructure : A common work shed has been sanctioned under the 2020- 21 Annual Action Plan of Sanjeevini NRLM in convergence with NREGA. Average monthly sales in 2020 : Rs.50,000 – Rs.60,000

Raichur is a developing state and hence, receives a lot of attention from development workers. Back in 2000, women from the socially and economically disadvantaged sections in Pothnal village were mobilised to form the Jagrutha Women’s Organisation. The Chiguru Self Help Group was an offshoot, with 10 women from the SC/ST communities. They were initially encouraged to start monthly savings, and later underwent training for five months in the craft of making terracotta jewellery. Jagrutha organisation was instrumental in selling the products. However, the story took an unexpected turn as the organisation team left the village and went back to their home state. But the spirit of the SHG women was unhindered. They participated in various exhibitions at Dastkar (New Delhi), Palace Ground (Bengaluru), Chitrakala Parishad (Mand Hyderabad). However, attending exhibitions was an expensive affair and the group found it difficult to participate, but by not participating their sales were adversely affected.

Sanjeevini intervened, and under the officials’ guidance, the members were assisted in maintaining the quality of their products and they were also provided with a platform to participate in state-wide exhibitions. The SHG was also chosen to represent the state in Patna International Trade Fair organised in Bihar. Every member of the SHG now saves about Rs.2,000 – Rs.3,000 each month. The group has earned words of praise from the former Sanjeevini Mission Director, Dr. BR Mamatha who said, “The terracotta jewellery that the women of the group are producing is really good. Young women of today are very fond of this kind of jewellery. The products are being provided a very good platform through the Sanjeevini scheme.” The Zilla Panchayat Project Director, Sharan Basavaraj, District Industries Center, Joint Director, Mohammed Irpan, Deputy Director, Basavaraj, District Skill Mission Officer, Rajesh Bhavagi and others have also applauded the achievements of the Chiguru self help group.

From Clay to Cash Sanjeevini Champion: Kalavathi, Ramanagara taluk

Self-employment has made Kalavathi a serial entrepreneur and has helped her open doors to opportunities for several other women in rural Ramanagara.

“Mother Earth has shown me a way towards livelihood, with the support of Sanjeevini. I am going to work harder and in the coming days will expand my business further”, says Kalavathi.

A resident of Vibuthikere village in Ramanagara taluk of Ramanagara district, Kalavathi belongs to a middle class family and is a mother of a young girl. A trained potter, she used to make clay toys against orders from a local handicraft shop, and would earn about Rs.5,000 each month. When the shop shut down, Kalavathi lost a steady income. She became a member of the Shri Suhasini Stree Shakti Self Help Group under the Shri Vibhutikere Sanjeevini GPLF. Guided by the group, she took the entrepreneurial plunge in 2016, and with a bank loan of Rs.50,000 under the self-employment scheme she began manufacturing clay products, cotton bags and wallets. The business was an immediate success, making profits within a couple of months, and enthused her to start another venture. With the help of her husband and her workers, she set up a poultry

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Champion

rearing business. Her income further increased steadily with the establishment of Common Service Centers. The two businesses generate income of Rs.1.5 lakh per annum, and through her ventures, Kalavathi is able to provide employment opportunities to other members of her SHG and many other women in her village. Dr BR Mamatha, former Mission Director, Sanjeevini, says “I am a great admirer of Kalavathi due to the fact that she faced social and economic challenges which is like a double-edged sword towards her journey of economic independence. Many women in the district should make use of the initiatives under the NRLM scheme”. For her remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Kalavathi was honored by Ikram, CEO of Ramanagara District Zilla Panchayat. Sanjeevini | 113

Champion

SHG

Model of Self Reliance

Shaping a Brighter Future

Sanjeevini Champion: S Asha, Channapatna taluk

Suhasini SHG, Ramanagara taluk

A struggling young woman has become self-employed after Sanjeevini helped her start a poultry rearing business. In the process, she has become a role model for other women in the village.

Using their skills in two traditional handicrafts, Kalamkari, the art of handprinting on textile, and terracotta, the clay-based ceramic craft, members of this self help group in Ramanagara district have taken charge of their well-being.

Asha’s perseverance has made her a successful rural entrepreneur and has inspired many women to avail themselves of micro financing and subsidies through the Sanjeevini GPLF along with convergence with Women & Child Development department programmes.

S Asha hails form a middle class family in Tagachagere village and is a member of the Sri Mahadeshwari Self Help Group of Tagachagere Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation in Channapatna taluk of Ramanagara district. Nine years ago, a graduate degree in hand, Asha had hoped to get a job in the police force but failed to land a job despite clearing the written and physical tests. She was crestfallen and struggled to find work, and her family members also found it very hard to eke out a livelihood through farming. A neighbour invited her to attend a Sanjeevini GPLF meeting and it seemed to Asha that she could find a way out of her tough times. Soon enough, the Taluk Mission Management Unit assessed her situation and the farm team suggested that she could start a small poultry rearing unit on her arid agricultural land,

as there was a good market for poultry in nearby Bengaluru. She had in the meanwhile joined the Sri Mahadeshwari SHG. Asha was able to finance her poultry rearing unit in December 2018 by putting together various funds: she had saved Rs.3 lakh and received CIF of Rs.75,000 through the SHG from the GPLF. She also got a subsidy based bank loan of Rs.3 lakh under the Udyogini scheme, with assistance from the financial inclusion team. Asha has seen a significant improvement in her family’s earnings; her annual net income stands at Rs.2 lakh. After seeing the transformation in her life, Asha urged the TMMU staff to construct a Common Workshed to help promote self help groups and the businesses of their members.

She attributes her success to the valuable and timely guidance received from the TMMU staff, the encouragement and assistance from former Mission Director Dr.BR Mamatha whose personal attention and frequent field visits have helped address the rural masses’ grievances and provide timely financial assistance through the local banking sector, and the follow up by Ikram, Ramanagara ZP CEO.

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Suhasini SHG: Handicrafts provide livelihood & status to members of this self help group.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Rs.50,000 disbursed under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana Scheme Received exposure at all state level and district level SARAS melas

Rs.10,000 Revolving Fund disbursed

Received online and offline marketing, branding and packaging support for products

Plans to start a medium-scale business at district level under the brand name of Sanjeevini.

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Shivamogga Infrastructure : The group members have created an outhouse to work together. Increase in production : Doubled in production from 1,000 pieces in 2016 to 2,000 pieces in 2020. Average Monthly Income : Rs.20,000

Suhasini Self Help Group in Chamanahalli village, Ramanagara taluk, Ramanagara district consists of 19 members who make terracotta handicraft items and Kalamkari bags. It was back in 2006 that the group was formed by the women who wanted to support their families by doing something on their own. The group began manufacturing terracotta handicraft items and Kalamkari bags and purses with raw materials are mostly sourced from the local markets of Ramanagara.

The group makes about 100 pieces each month, and its members manage to earn an average of Rs.16,000–Rs.17,000 a month.

Champion

New Lease of Life Sanjeevini Champion: Bindu, Shivamogga taluk

From being a landless labourer, this Sanjeevini champion has become a rural entrepreneur in Shivamogga district. With her confidence boosted, she now mobilises women in nearby villages to take the entrepreneurial plunge through Sanjeevini.

The handicrafts are a hit amongst tourists and apart from this, the group participates in government-sponsored exhibitions. The group wants to overcome the limitations and increase sales. “Our reach has to expand and we need more points of sale. We are aiming to set up our own shop”, says Anita, president of the group.

Sanjeevini has helped Bindu become seif sufficient.

Bindu, hailing from B. Beeranahalli village of Shivamogga taluk, was a landless labourer with a family of four. Her monthly income of Rs.10,000 was insufficient to feed the family and send the children to school. Bindu was desperately seeking a solution when she was invited to join the Jyothi SHG. Here, she was introduced to the benefits available to SHG members and she learnt that a woman could create an alternative livelihood for herself and her family. The Cluster Supervisor put forth her case to the non-farm team of Sanjeevini and she was advised to take up areca nut plate manufacturing; as areca nuts are a locally grown resource, manufacturing biodegradable plates could be started on a small scale. After deliberating with fellow SHG members, Bindu decided to establish a small manufacturing unit.

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Impact of Intervention Through the NRLM scheme the SHG was provided with Rs.1.25 lakh as CIF and Bindu got a loan of Rs.40,000 to start the business, and she also availed herself of a loan of Rs.30,000 from a bank. Today Bindu sells a plate for Rs.2 to Rs.3, and the daily revenue ranges from Rs.800 - Rs.1,000, a significant increase from the Rs.300 she earned per day as a labourer. The alternative livelihood helped send her children back to school; her monthly income increased to Rs.25,000. Her leadership skills were identified and she has also become an ambassador for Sanjeevini in spreading the word about the benefits of EDP training.

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Champion

SHG

The Right Mix

A Precious Mission

Sanjeevini Champion: Padmalatha Jain, Sagar taluk

Shivajyothi Swasahaya Sangha, Shivamogga taluk

With the right training and mentoring, the innate entrepreneurial zeal of this Sanjeevini champion in Sharavathi village of Shivamogga district was able to triumph over hurdles.

The story of Prabhavathi and Anjuna, who belong to the Hakki Pikki tribe, is inspirational. From having to beg for food they have become self sustaining entrepreneurs; they own a shop and a house, and have mentored four self help groups and have trained 40 members in the art of jewellery-making.

Padamalatha says, “I am very proud of my entrepreneurial journey, and Sanjeevini has helped me step by step. I feel privileged to have participated at the Mumbai SARAS Fair”.

Padmalatha Jain in Sharavathi village in Tumari gram panchayat of Sagar taluk in Shivamogga district is the president of the 13-member Samruddhi Shaksharatha SHG. Having studied up to Class 9, even as a student, Padmalatha was enthusiastic about setting up her own venture and discussed potential business ideas with her neighbours. In 2017, she decided to set up a small business venture to make ready mix batter for dosa, idli and ragi malt, apart from some Malnad delicacies. However, the business was unable to break even, and within a year, it started making losses. Friends advised her to take the help of the Sanjeevini team and as a member of the Samruddhi Saksharatha SHG, she approached the Cluster Supervisor for help. The non-farm and the marketing teams studied her business, conducting a market survey and examined the product design. They advised Padmalatha that the packaging was not up to the mark and further, the

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market she wanted to capture was quite saturated with stiff competition from well known brands. In order to succeed, she had to get the right pricing. She was advised to take up an Entrepreneurship Development Programme organised by RSETI, Shivamogga, and over a period of 3 months, her packaging and price range were revamped. The results were rewarding: from negative growth for over a year, Padmalatha started to break even after 6 months of revamping the business. The turning point, when her fortunes changed for the good, came when she was selected by Sanjeevini to participate at the Mumbai SARAS Fair 2018-19. Her products were a hit among her customers and till date she sends her products to Mumbai. Her monthly income is now Rs.26,000 and she hopes to promote her products on a larger scale. She plans to extend her support to other women in the village by involving them in the business too.

Their key to happiness lies in Jansewa - learn and teach others. A humble follower of the Sanatan dharma, Prabhavathi says “We don’t inspire to become millionaires. Whenever we sell our products, we request our customers to take care of the environment, eat satvik food and contribute towards making our great country better,” says Prabhavathi.

Sanjeevini Interventions Training in jewellery-making at RSETI

Market-linkages through International Trade Fairs and SARAS in Mumbai

Registration on GEM, stall at Metro-santhe

CIF Bank loan Infrastructure Average monthly sales

: Rs.1.25 lakh : Rs.1.25 lakh : Training centre to train 40 SHG women : Rs.60,000 - Rs.70,000 Sanjeevini | 119

Tumakuru Shivajyothi Swasahaya Sangha in Hosudi post of Shivamogga district makes jewellery out of pearls and precious stones, and it's story is one of rags-to-riches. Utter poverty motivated Prabhavathi, a woman from the Hakki Pikki tribe to become an entrepreneur, “I used to beg in the village, while my husband used to hunt and gather food from the deep forests. We survived on a single piece of cloth for months. We wondered, is this the kind of life we are destined to live?” When Prabhavathi came to the village as a new bride, she found it very backward; she had no work to do and poverty pushed her to odd jobs in nearby villages. That's when she joined other women to form a self help group, as part of the Stree Sakthi Sanghas that came up in 2006. She became the head of the 10-member all-woman team who were mostly from the same tribe. For sometime the group was content conducting meetings and making savings as per the rules of the group but she wanted to see more results. Chance favours the prepared mind. In 2013, Anjuna, who listened to the radio to keep abreast of national affairs, heard the Prime Minister encouraging people to seek the benefit of the National Rural Livelihood Mission through self help groups. Motivated to bring about a change in their lives, Anjuna reached out to the taluk panchayat for assistance to begin making jewellery. The Sanjeevini team named the SHG as the Shivajyothi Swasahaya Sangha and helped the members get trained at RSETI.

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Prabhavati and Anjuna excel in contemporary designs which they learnt by observing. “Whenever there were exhibitions around, we used to have a thorough look at every stall. We used to imagine how we could create products that surpass the ones in the market.” After getting a subsidy and a bank loan, she started manufacturing and selling their products doorto-door.

Champion

Graduating to Glory Sanjeevini Champion: Shaileshree, CN Halli taluk

The path to success can sometimes take circuitous routes, and the story of this Sanjeevini champion has many interesting and successful detours.

This group sources pearls and corals directly from harvesters in Andhra Pradesh, precious stones from Kacheguda, Mangaluru and Mysuru, and specialty stones like emeralds from Jaipur. The team now boasts of monthly average sales of around Rs.60,000 - Rs.70,000. They travel across the country with their jewellery and keep an eye out for exhibitions organised by the Zilla Panchayat, Khadi Association, NABARD and the government. “We have ready inventory and banks are willing to give us loans, but we don’t have enough sales touch points. We would benefit if there were more government sponsored exhibitions, as stalls at private exhibitions are too expensive.” They now look forward to the Metro-Santhe stall in Bengaluru that Sanjeevini will be alloting to them and other Sanjeevini SHGs in the state on rotation basis. “The Sanjeevini team has helped us register and put our products on GEM and we are looking forward to government orders. They are asking us to make mementos, pen holders, ornamental paper knives etc” says Anjuna.

Sanjeevini’s support and hand holding have helped Shaileshree’s entrepreneurial journey and improved her household’s income.

A B.Sc graduate, Shaileshree of Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru district had joined the Sri Anjaneya Mahila Swasahaya Sangha in 1999. Here, she learnt of the various programmes by which she could supplement her family’s income. Initially, she took a loan from SHG to study the B.Ed. course after which she joined a private school as a teacher and also began giving tuitions. By 2006 she had paid off her loan. In the meantime, her husband’s oil mill made little profit as the products were sold through a middleman. Shaileshree tried doing the marketing herself but it wasn’t very successful. She then joined the NRLM-Sanjeevini programme in 2015, and through the Nisarga GPLF, took a loan of Rs.50,000 to start a goat farm. The marketing techniques that she learnt at the entrepreneurship programme facilitated by Sanjeevini, helped her make profits. After paying back the loan within a year, she applied for another loan to start a poultry business and was sanctioned Rs.5 lakh, of which she has received the first tranche of Rs.2 lakh.

Simultaneously, she was advised by senior Sanjeevini staff Shivshankar and Ashok to improve her family business of oil extraction, and encouraged by them, she attended workshops and exhibitions. She now concentrates on oil extraction of coconut, castor and groundnut, and having got FSSAI approval with the help of the NRLM team, she is able to brand her oils. Her main markets are at Tumakuru and Bengaluru. After attending an exhibition in Ahmedabad, she now also supplies to customers there. Her growing skills in marketing are helping expand the business. She's realised the need to improve communication and is working on her English language skills. She has also improved her ability to identify good and pure oils. The recent GEM workshop has trained her in ecommerce and helped her realise that selling online is not a daunting prospect. She hopes to be able to register and sell her products in larger markets soon.

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SHG

A Healthier Future Shree Anjaneya SHG, Chikkanayakanahalli taluk

Benefiting from the exposure to a wider market that Sanjeevini has given them, this self help group in Tumakuru district is keen to market its organic oils across the state.

One of the earliest self help groups in Karnataka, the Shree Anjaneya SHG was established in 1999. It manufactures castor oil, groundnut oil and coconut oil and the USP is that the oils are organic and are extracted by hand. The SHG has 18 women members and is located in Singapura town of Chikkanayakanahalli taluk. Motivated by the desire to provide a better life to their families and their children, these women initiated the group activity with required support from the NRLM officials. “We started from scratch and now the business has spread across the taluk. We do not use mechanical processing, and compared to the chemical-laden products available in the market, our products offer nourishment to the body, the natural and organic way. Our achievement is our great rapport with our customers and of course, the

increase in our income”, says Malligamma, the president of the group. The oils are made up of castor beans, coconut and ground nuts that are sourced from the markets of Chikkanayakanahalli. The monthly production capacity of the group is 500 litres of castor oil, 250 litres of groundnut oil and 400 litres of coconut oil. With an exclusive manufacturing unit and a congenial working environment, the group has the required human resources and a good transportation network. Sanjeevini staff introduced the group to the SARAS fairs held in various states, across India, and participating in these exhibitions have widened the market base, visibility and demand for the products. The SHG is working to improve the oil filtration procedures and the packaging quality of the products.

“We want to take the goodness of organic oil to every family in the state”, says Malligamma, president of the Shree Anjaneya SHG.

Sanjeevini Interventions: CIF: Rs.75,000

Exposure to a larger market through the exhibition held at Gandhi Bhavan, Bengaluru, International Trade Fair Ahmedabad and other states SARAS

Increased visibility and demand for products across several states

Significant improvement in marketing and communication skills of the members, with increased exposure to consumers

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Udupi

Champion

CEO's Note

Tailormade Success

Backyard Treasures

Sanjeevini Champion: Vanitha S. Moily, Karkala taluk

Growing fragrant jasmine and nutritious mushrooms, making cloth and paper bags, and maintaining small poultry farms are livelihood activities of self help groups in Udupi Zilla Panchayat.

Having set up a tailoring shop to make clothes to order, and to train other women, this Sanjeevini champion in Udupi district shows what’s possible with the right attitude and training.

Apart from these, the coastal district has ample scope for fish cultivation and processing, coir production and dairy products as the district produces plenty of milk, and overall, there is a huge scope for agri-allied activities. Says Preethi Gehlot, CEO, Udupi Zilla Panchayat, “We have over 200 members involved in various activities. We have motivated them to focus on marketing their products to get better income. We organized a Beach Utsav at the Malpe Beach, where we provided stalls to exhibit and sell products produced by different Sanjeevini SHG groups. There was a good response from the self help groups as well as from people. Vanitha Moily has been able to improve her social standing in the village.

1,693 NRLM SHGs and 21,764 households

70 GPLFs

200 members of Sanjeevini SHG micro-enterprises

After the introduction of the Sanjeevini schemes in the district, small and marginal farmers as well as agricultural labourers have started rearing a couple of cows, and this has led to increased milk production in

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the district. People have also started making the most of their backyards by rearing poultry and growing jasmine. All these activities have increased their income.

Vanitha is a resident of Nitte village in Karkala taluk of Udupi district. Hailing from a poor family, she had to stop her education after Class X. Like many people in the district, she was engaged in preparing beedis for her livelihood and earned a meagre amount of Rs.1,500 per month. Looking for a better alternative, she joined a self help group, the Deepa Sanjeevini Okkoota. She was encouraged to enrol in a tailoring training course at the Bharatiya Vikas Trust Institute and in an embroidery training course by the Synd RSETI in Manipal. She also learnt business skills, communication, marketing, entrepreneurship and

social skills that helped her develop self confidence. After these training sessions, she rented space in the Nitte Gram Panchayat building and set up her own shop, ‘Ekanatheshwari Ladies’ Tailor'. Through her SHG, she was given a CIF loan of Rs.75,000 to improve her business. She purchased five sewing machines and apart from stitching clothes to order, she also offers training in tailoring to women. She earns over Rs.10,000 each month. Going beyond economic prosperity, she has been able to secure a good social standing in society and is actively involved in all the cultural activities taking place in the Gram Panchayat.

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Uttara Kannada

CEO's Note

Mission 55 - Innovative Initiative With the blue waters of the Arabian sea on one side, and the lush greenery of the Western Ghats on the other, Uttara Kannada is a centre of attention in Karnataka. Now, a silent revolution that has boosted opportunities for self employment and self reliance of women in the district has drawn much praise.

With ‘Mission 55’, Uttara Kannada district has created a unique and model institution to help increase the earning potential of SHG members in the district under the broad purpose of the Sanjeevini mission. M. Roshan, CEO, Uttara Kannada, Zilla Parishad, says, “We hold the unique distinction of being the first in Karnataka state to set up five self help groups in each taluk, and we have 55 model SHGs in this district.” The purpose of this programme is to provide appropriate guidance and assistance to the women in the group to opt for livelihood activities of their choice and help them maximise earnings. The objective of Mission 55 is for these 55 SHGs to serve as replicable models for the 9,200 SHGs that are affiliated to Gram Panchayat Level Federations in the district.

Mission 55

Funds have come from multiple sources for Mission 55; wherever possible, Community Investment Funds were disbursed. In instances where the funds were not available, bank loans were speedily facilitated through the intervention of District Lead Banks.

The women have used funds and training provided under the Sanjeevini scheme to start several productive activities such as areca nut and spice processing plants, manufacturing paper bags, agarbatties, phenyl and soap oil, making eco friendly plates and cups from areca leaves, bamboo baskets and decorative door hangings, dressmaking, pickles, rotis, kashaya (traditional health brew), roasting nuts, earthenware etc. Happiness can be seen on the faces of the self employed women who are socially and economically

self sufficient. Sanjeevini has equipped these SHG members with knowledge about banking and markets, and the positive results are evident: they are marketing their products well, and able to repay loans and make profits. “Mission 55 is one of the most innovative amongst the livelihood programmes that are a source of hope for economically disadvantaged women in the unorganised sector. We had decided to implement a similar scheme statewide”, says Dr. BR Mamatha, former Director, Karnataka State Livelihood Mission.

Mission 55 has emerged as a catalyst for change, enabling poverty alleviation programmes to increase the income of the families of rural women, equipping them with information about production, finance, marketing and more.

55 taluks 5 SHGs in each taluk Consultative process The success of the project stems from the consultative process that saw the Sanjeevini staff reach out to select associations and obtain information about the activities they would like to take up as self help groups. This was followed by further consultations with interested association members and the Joint Directors of the District Industrial Training Center in each taluk.

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This helped choose livelihood activities, with emphasis on making environmentally friendly products, and highlighted the technical assistance that was needed. Once the consultation was completed in all the taluks, a plan was drawn up to finalise the activities that the associations intended to undertake and start production within the stipulated time frame.

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Champion

Spice Route to Success

Knots that Benefit

Sanjeevini Champion: Sujata Hegde, Yellapur taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Bibi Fathima, Mundgod taluk

The road to entrepreneurial success for this woman in a village in Uttara Kannada district began with just an acre of land, and thanks to Sanjeevini, she realised the value of utilising it to the maximum.

A talent for making decorative macramé products has lifted Bibi Fathima’s family from poverty to stability, in Uttara Kannada district.

Bibi Fathima is an expert in macramé, a form of textile craft that is produced by using the technique of knotting.

Sujata Narayan Hegde's business is thrving.

Sujata Narayan Hegde’s family struggled to eke out a livelihood in Hitalli village; her husband’s earnings as an agricultural labourer were not enough to meet the expenses of the home and educate the children. When she joined the Shakti Raitha SHG under the Nisarga Sanjivini WLF, she realised that the acre of land that her family owned could be better utilised. She took a CIF loan of Rs.60,000 and began growing spices such as nutmeg. Having purchased

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a packing machine, she also started making herbal tea and traditional health drink powder (kashaya) which she sells at the Yellapur market. Her monthly income increased to Rs.22,600 and with her profits, she has purchased the agricultural tools for her husband that have helped him work independently. She has health insurance and saves Rs.3,500 each month. She has started repaying the loan and now plans to expand her business.

Bibi Fathima A. Budnanavar lives in Hungund village in Mundgod taluk. Her husband’s earnings as a daily wager were not enough to meet the needs of their family of six. She joined the Bismilla Mahila Sanjeevini SHG, under the Mallige Sanjeevini WLF. She soon realised that her natural talent for craft could scale up to be a livelihood activity. With a loan from the self help group, she procured materials and began making products like swings, hammocks, wall hangings and plant hangers, and all these found a very

receptive market in Hubballi and other cities. Thanks to Sanjeevini, her monthly income has gone from zero to Rs.30,000. After the loan repayment of Rs.2,000 per month, her profits are Rs.12,000 per month. The family saves Rs.1,000 each month; apart from being enrolled for life and health insurance, the family’s assets now include a motorbike. Encouraged by her achievements with the help of NRLM, Bibi Fathima now plans to expand her business.

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Champion

SHG

Fragrant Success

Environmentally Aware

Sanjeevini Champion: Usha Devadiga, Bhatkal taluk

Katyayini Eco Bag Unit, Ankola taluk

Cultivating jasmine has proved a profitable venture for this homemaker turned Sanjeevini champion in Uttara Kannada district.

In the wake of the global environment consciousness, the members of this self help group zeroed in on making eco-friendly bags as an alternative to plastic bags, and are helping improve their lives as well as the world.

Usha Devadiga is all set to expand her business.

Her husband's income as a tailor in their village of Mavalli proving insufficient, Usha Devadiga thought of growing jasmine on a commercial scale. Though a graduate, she had not worked anywhere and was keen to be self employed. She, however, lacked funds to do so and turned to the Ashakiran Sanjeevini Self Help Group under the Sri Jatageshwara Ward Level Federation. She was able to get a loan of Rs.35,000 to start growing jasmine.

She has been able to make a success of it with training and hand holding by Sanjeevini. The profits have helped the family increase its earnings; she was able to buy a sewing machine, for her husband who has set up shop independently as a tailor. They have bought a motorbike and have health insurance. With the family income going up to Rs.16,000 and loans being repaid, Usha is keen to expand her business.

The members of the Katyayani self help group have managed to increase their internal savings and can afford better education for their children.

Sanjeevini Interventions: Members have undergone several government-sponsored training and awareness programmes

Members underwent a 10-day residential training in tailoring and screen printing at RSETI, Kumta

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Vijayapura CIF : Rs.1.5 lakh Infrastructure : Gram Panchayat building provided to house the manufacturing unit Increased Production : 50,000 bags per week has provided Rs.5,000 earning per member every month

Katyayani Eco Bag Unit in Avarsa village in Ankola taluk of Uttara Kannada district consists of 8 members who make eco bags. Back in 2014, around 45 SHGs in and around Ankola taluk formed five WLFs and a GPLF, named Sri Katyayani Sanjeevini GPLF. With constant support from the NRLM officials, the GPLF had been conducting several awareness programmes for women empowerment and alternate livelihood sustenance methods. In the wake of global environment consciousness, the GPLF members zeroed in on making eco-friendly bags as an alternative to plastic bags. Having reached a mutual agreement, the members approached NRLM for skill development and training. Around 25 members underwent a 10-day long training programme at RSETI, Kumta, and learnt the art of tailoring and screen printing. With the initiation of Mission 55, the women were

motivated further to start livelihood activities with the support of NRLM Community Investment Funds and bank loans. “The Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, Uttara Kannada was of the opinion that we should have a bag making unit as there was a huge market for it”, says Prema Bhat, a member.

Fuelling Growth Sanjeevini Champion: Ambika Walikar, Sindgi taluk

It’s quite an achievement for a person who has just a primary school education to earn a monthly income of Rs.35,000, especially in a remote village in Vijayapura district. Ambika Walikar has managed to do this and pull her family out of abject poverty, thanks to Sanjeevini’s intervention.

market survey. The team advised her to set up a roti manufacturing unit, as making this staple food was time consuming, there would be many customers for readymade rotis in the region.

The PDO of Avarsa Gram Panchayat encouraged the endeavour by providing the Gram Panchayat building to house the facility. The Katyayani Eco Bag Unit with 8 GPLF members was born with CIF of Rs.1.5 lakh from the GPLF and a bank loan of Rs.2 lakh. This helped the members to purchase four highspeed weaving machines and raw materials from the Hubballi market. The unit boasts of manufacturing high-quality eco-friendly bags and has a wide local market. The margins are decent and the recognition is widespread. The unit is also registered under Udyog Adhar and GEM portal.

The Financial Inclusion Team helped her secure a loan of Rs.50,000 from the Community Investment Fund available with the GPLF and with the addition of Rs.50,000 from her savings, she was able to finance her start up. She attended an Entrepreneurship Development Programme training at RSETI and was also trained at a district roti manufacturing unit in the use of a solar powered roti making machine. The TMMU team helped her in procuring a solar powered roti making machine through convergence with the SELCO Foundation. Ambika Walikar was determined not to let poverty continue to rule her life, and is among the women who are changing the landscape of the rural economy, thanks to Sanjeevini NRLM.

Ambika Walikar belongs to a very poor family in Yankachi village in Vijayapura district, and it was very hard for their family to make ends meet. Her husband was the sole bread earner for the family of four and in spite of having an acre of agricultural land, the family found it hard to feed themselves. Deciding that she needed to do something about it, she grabbed the opportunity when a neighbour told her about the Sanjeevini NRLM programme. At her urging, Ambika joined the Chowdeshwari SHG and over time, accumulated savings, and decided to take the entrepreneurial plunge. She expressed her intention to the TMMU staff who conducted a

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Champion

Ambica’s rotis are much sought after in the traditional restaurants, the khanawalis in the region and families buy her rotis, too. Ambika makes about 1,000 rotis a day and earns around Rs.500 to Rs.1,000 per day. The solar powered machine helps save money on electricity bills. The flourishing business earns her around Rs.35,000 and helped ease the financial burden on her family and increase their standard of living. Ambika attributes her success to the availability of loans from Sanjeevini at very low interest rates; she has already repaid around Rs.32,500 of the loan of Rs.50,000, and will soon be debt free. What next? “I am eager to grow my roti business by procuring an even bigger machine and I also want to install irrigation on our one acre farm. I am confident that all this will be possible with the help and guidance of Sanjeevini”, says Ambika. Sanjeevini | 133

Yadgir

Champion

Gritty Tale

Habit of Success

Sanjeevini Champion: Suvarna Mahendra, Yadgir taluk

Sanjeevini Champion: Sharanamma Hamanavar, Yadgir taluk

One of the most backward districts in Karnataka, Yadgir has also the most number of women determined to break through the vicious cycle of poverty. Sharanamma Hamanavar is one such successful Sanjeevini champion who became self employed and broke out of poverty.

Battling poverty while struggling to look after an ailing husband and provide for their three children, Suvarna Mahendra in Yadgir district, managed to free herself from a debt trap, thanks to Sanjeevini. With exemplary grit and skills, she now owns two successful micro businesses.

Sharanamma says, “ Shri Bhagyalakshmi SHG has helped me overcome the difficulties I faced in life.”

“My life changed for the better because of a loan from the self help group. I am not afraid of problems as Sanjeevini comes to my aid”, says Suvarna.

A resident of Kadachira gram panchayat in Yadgir taluk of Yadgir district, Sharanamma’s family of five struggled to eke out a livelihood from their five acres of dry agricultural land. They had to pay a high interest on the loans taken to provide for their children’s education. She came to know about the Sanjeevini programme from a neighbour who was a Master Community Resource Person and was enthusiastic to benefit from it.

the internal lending mechanism, she got a loan of Rs.30,000. The hardware store yielded revenue averaging Rs.300 to Rs.500 each day. In a further spurt of entrepreneurship, she decided to open a photocopying centre; she felt that there was sufficient market for such a store as the villagers had to go elsewhere to get their documents photocopied. With internal lending of Rs.20,000, she bought a photocopying machine.

Suvarna of Duppalli village of Kadachira gram panchayat in Yadgir taluk was a landless labourer and life was a continual struggle as she was barely able to provide one meal a day for her family of five. Adding to her woes, her husband was constantly sick and she had to borrow money at high interest rates for his medical treatment.

The village elders suggested that she mobilise other women like her and this led to the formation of the Shri Bhagyalakshmi SHG, under the Shri Jhansi Rani Lakshmi Bai Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation. Discussions with the SHG members threw up the idea of a hardware store, and through

With these two enterprises Sharanamma has increased her family income and earns anywhere between Rs.6,000 and Rs.8,000 per month. This has helped her repay the debts which she had incurred to pay for her children’s education and her husband’s medical expenses.

She was invited to join the Jai Bhawani SHG when it was being formed and community leaders began guiding her under the Sanjeevini scheme. Soon, she was able to start saving on a monthly basis from her income, with the advice of the Master Book Keeper. She gained the confidence to take the entrepreneurial

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plunge and started a small cafe with a loan of Rs.10,000 through internal lending from the SHG. She promptly repaid the loan after the cafe started to get steady business. Next, she decided to open a grocery store with a loan of Rs.30,000 again through the internal lending of the SHG. Not only is she able to run the two enterprises well, she undertakes tailoring orders in her spare time. These livelihood activities have enabled her to provide a good education for her children and repay the loans she had taken for her husband's medical treatment. Hard work and diligence have allowed her to realise her dream of living a life of self respect and dignity.

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Instrument of Development “The National Rural Livelihood Mission is one of the major poverty alleviation programmes being implemented since 2010-11 in India under MoRD and since 2014 in Karnataka. Self help groups and their federations at various levels, Ward, Gram Panchayat and Block, are the pillars of this programme. Sanjeevini programme has consciously set about bringing under the fold of NRLM a number of existing SHGs (formed by various entities like the NGOs, by the department, etc.). Efforts have been invested in building the capacities of these groups through vibrant capacity building and awareness programmes. All livelihood initiatives are channelised through them. Not only are they involved in implementing the programmes, but they are also an integral part of planning, decision making (both programme and financial) and programme monitoring. As of March 2020, there are a total of 1,65,245 SHGs and 4,175 Gram Panchayat Level Federations under the ambit of this programme in Karnataka”. - MK Ali, State Programme Manager, Social Mobilisation and Capacity Development, Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

The Enterprise Development sector has emerged as a highly vibrant and dynamic sector of the Indian economy over the last five decades. It contributes significantly in the economic and social development of the country by fostering entrepreneurship and generating largest employment opportunities at comparatively lower capital cost, next only to agriculture. In India, It is seen that out of 633.88 lakh estimated number of MSMEs, 324.88 lakh MSMEs (51.25%) were in rural area. Micro enterprise sector have played a major role in development of enterprise and creating employment opportunities in the rural areas of Karnataka. As per MSME annual report of 2018-19, Karnataka is among the top five states in terms of enterprises and creating employment. Sanjeevini-KSRLPS is promoting various nonfarm livelihood opportunities among rural BPL household through multiple interventions like Micro Enterprise Consultants Programme, initiation of weekly markets, Aajeevika Grameena Express Yojana, Make In Rurban India, Beacon pilots, Mission 55, Group and Individual Enterprise Development, capacity building on marketing strategies, product promotions, IEC development, One Stop Facility Centre, accessing government procurement and linkages, SARAS etc. 28395 SHG members have began their own 8098 Micro Enterprises with the support of NRLM, 05 AGEY vehicles are on road, about 900 women entrepreneurs were participated in various district, state, international level Melas, 44 weekly markets initiated and running successfully by our MECs. Sanjeevini is benefitting rural poor household by enhancing their livelihood and their living conditions.

“The role of SHGs is that of an agent of change through social dialogue. Women’s self help groups primarily began with thrift and credit activities and inculcated a habit of small savings among women. The SHGs also provide micro credit facilities for all needs and the recovery of loans is more than 90%. A major impact of SHGs and microcredit is that dramatic reduction in dependency on local money lenders. Sanjeevini’s role is to address poverty and livelihood issues by providing access to available resources with the government and other institutions, on a sustainable basis.” - Bellegowda, State Programme Manager (SD & COM), Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

“Sanjeevini KSRLPS - as the name suggests, has been a ‘life reviver’ for many women across the state of Karnataka. Working for livelihoods has been the goal of all the State Rural Livelihood Missions across the country, and Sanjeevini gone a step further by including tribals in the remote villages of Karnataka via Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram. The dynamic approach of Sanjeevini officers has been conducive to accepting new ideas to set up procurement centres across the state, that are run by and maintained by the community. Being part of the organisation, while working on the VDVK project, I have learnt how to include the last in the queue with the same dignity and extend opportunities to them. Sanjeevini has helped young professionals like me to simultaneously learn and execute on the field, instead of being either/or.” - Shubham Kumar, Young Professional, Farm Livelihoods/ NTFP in FLH, Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

“Digital technology occupies a key role in the development process and SHGs have also become a part of the digital world. Technology helps women in self help groups gain empowerment and especially the women entrepreneurs, as it enables them to reach a global market through social media networks. The bank linkage programme of microcredit helps women become entrepreneurs and make a variety of products. They have access to technology in the marketing process such as packaging, labelling, publicity material and channels, delivery channels.” - Shubha S L, MIS Consultant

- Sunanda State Program Manager A, MS, PRT & CP and Incharge non-farm Livelihood, Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

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Index “A poor woman is more determined than a man to fight for a better life, and self help groups help women in need to build their self-confidence through community action. Financial inclusion is an effective way to bring everyone on board to the path of development. We are in the path of closing the gender gap through financial inclusion that could have positive effects in easing access to resources, lowering financial risks and costs, providing security, increasing saving and investment rates, and facilitating new business opportunities.”

Bagalkote

Shree Indira Gandhi Sanjeevini Mahila Sangha

Katageri, Badami, Bagalkote

Ilkal Sarees - Cotton blends and Pure Silk

Bagalkote

Shree Lakshmi Stree Shakti SHG

Katageri, Badami, Bagalkote

Jute bags and Ladies bags

Bagalkote

Ratnavva Vaddara

Holageri GP, Badami Taluk, Bagalkote dt

Rottis

Ballari

Uma Shanbhogar

Uttangi Gram Panchayat, Huvinahadagalli Taluk

Phenyl

Ballari

Hasanabhi

Bagali Gram Panchayat in Harapanahalli Taluk

Bangles

Belagavi

Maya Aruna Honakhande

Madhabhanvi village, Athani Taluk

Footwear

Bengaluru Rural

Veena, Kateramma SHG

Ardeshanahalli, Devanahalli Taluk

Beauty Parlour

Bengaluru Urban

Srirama Sanjeevini Gram Panchayat Level Federation

Peddanapalya village, Chollanayakanahalli gram panchayat

Plastic Free initiative

Bidar

Nagamma

Tulajapura village, Ekalara village panchayat, Bidar taluk

Flour Mill

Chamarajanagar

Pankaja

Madhuvanahalli Village, Kollegala Taluk

Mushroom Farming

Chikkaballapur

Shree Maruthi SHG

"Jikavandlapalli, Bagepalli TQ, Chikkaballapur

Leather Puppet, Lamp shade, Wall art

Working with women members of SHGs in Karnataka has been both fascinating and rewarding. I have witnessed, first hand, how Sanjeevini empowers women to become skilful entrepreneurs and owners of successful micro-businesses within their communities.

Chikkaballapur

Sri Saraswathi SHG

Chinnasandra Chintamani Taluka & Chikkaballapur District

Sanjeevini-Cafe

Chikkamagaluru

Jyothi - Sri Punkyakoti Mahila SHG

Nidagatta village, Kadur Taluk

stuffed doll store

Women are naturally more fiscally responsible and are keen learners, which gives them an edge in starting and running enterprises. They are usually involved in homebased production and are adept at working in collectives or groups. Women pass these skills on to the next generation. However, infrastructure loopholes that obscure value addition, lack of innovation, lack of access to mainstream markets, and lack of information on best practices are among the problems that make these skills and knowledge redundant.

Chikkamagaluru

Mangalagowri Chowdeshwari SHG,

Vanvarike village, Sakarainaya GP, Kadur Taluk

horticulture farmer

Chikkamagaluru

Ashwini - Prgathi Stree Shakti

Karimane village, Tuluvina Koppa GP, Koppa Taluk

Farming

Chitradurga

Shalini

H D Pura village of Holalkere taluk

Arecanut Plates

Dakshina Kannada

Noor Jahan

Navoor Gram Panchayat, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada

cattle

Dakshina Kannada

Ratnamma

Adarsha SHG, Shibaje Gram Panchayat, Belthangady Taluk, Dakshina Kannada

paper / arecanut plates

Dakshina Kannada

Keerthi Sanjeevini SHG

Kaukrady Puttur Taluk, Dakshina Kannada

Microfinance SHG

Dakshina Kannada

Sanjeevini Highway Hub

Kadaba GP Puttur Taluk, Dakshina Kannada

FMCG Products

Davanagere

Ashvini J

Bethuru Village, Davangere TQ

Petty Shop

- Shyam Sunder, Programme Executive, Financial Inclusion

"INDIA lives in the villages and the Rural women form its backbone; With SANJEEVINI the Self help Group women have found ways to eliminate this poverty/ agony and have found pride in their very existence and their local skills has been revived" - Rashmi Raj, MIS Specialist, Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

Even though farming and non-farm activities such as pickle making, handloom etc are dominated by women, both are also areas where the role of women has often not been fully acknowledged. These activities were considered an extension of their household work, and not a genuine occupation and hence unaccounted in GDP or employment metrics which invisibilized their efforts and skills. Sanjeevini, through its farm and non-farm based livelihood initiatives, recognized their labour and build their capacities which led them to being identified as farmers and entrepreneurs. - Lynda N, Young Professional, Sanjeevini - KSRLPS

138 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 139

Gopanalu Village, Channagiri TQ

Davanagere

Chimitha

Dharwad

Shree Vishwa Bharathi Stree Uppin Betageri, Dharwad Taluk Shakthi Swasahaya Sangha

Dharwad

Shree Kateshwar Sanjeevini SHG

Galagi -Hulakoppa, Kalagatagi

traditional baskets, mats and ropes

Gadag

Dhanammadevi Sanjeevini SHG

Abbigere Village, Ron Taluk

Plastic free initiative and recycled bags manufacturing

Gadag

Ratna Konnur

Nagedragada village

Bangle store

Gadag

COVID 19 Masks

Gadag District

COVID 19 Masks

Belur Block, Lakkunda GP

Cleaning products and Toiletries like Soap, Detergent Powder, Bleaching Powder.

Hassan

Ganapathi Sanjeevini SHG

Toys, dry fruits, oils

Ramanagara

Kalavathi

Vibuthikere village, Ramanagar taluk

Clay products , cotton bags and wallets

Ramanagara

S Asha

Tagachagere village, Channapatna taluk

Animal Husbandary

Ramanagara

Suhasini SHG

Chamanahalli Village, Ramanagara TQ

Terracotta items, Kalamkari bags, Kalamkari purse

Shivamogga

Shivajyothi Swasahaya Sangha SHG

Hosudi Post, Shimoga, Shimoga Pearl Jewellery

Shivamogga

Bindu

B. Biranahalli village, Shivamogga taluk

Areca nuts

Shivamogga

Padmalatha Jain

Sharavati village, Tumari gram panchayat, Sagar taluk

Ready Mix Batters

Tumakuru

Shree Anjaneya SHG

"Singapura, Chiknayakanhalli, Tumakuru

Castor oil, Groundnut oil, Coconut oil

Tumakuru

Shaileshree

Chiknayakanahalli C.N Halli

Oil extraction

Haveri

Shruti Chandrashekar Naganagoudar,

Suttakoti Gram Panchayat, Hirekerur Taluk

Flour Mill

Udupi

Vanitha S Moily

Nitte GP, Karkala TQ

Tailor shop

Kalaburagi

Shree Kannadathi Stree Shakti SHG

Mashal Village , Afzalpur Taluk , Gulbarga District

Sanitary Napkins, Diapers, Home decorative items

Uttara Kannada

Katyayini Eco Bag Unit

Avarsa Village, Ankola TQ, UK Dist.

Eco Bags

Kodagu

Amrutha SHG

Mekeri GP, Madikeri Taluk

poultry farming

Uttara Kannada

Usha Umesh Devadiga

Narekul Village, Bhatkal TQ, UK Dist

Jasmine cultivation (Mallige Krushi)

Kodagu

Bharathiya Mahila SHG

Maragodu GP, Madikeri Taluk

Dairy, pig, and fish farming

Uttara Kannada

Sujata Narayan Hegde

Kolar

Devi Bai

Rajenahalli Village, Malur TQ, Kolar Dist.

Popped, Ragi & Millets malt powder, etc.

Hitalli Village, Yellapur TQ, UK Spice cultivation and Dist. organic food

Uttara Kannada

Bibi Fathima

Kolar

Manjula

Millet Powder, Sambar Powder, Masala Powder

Macrame Joola, Wall hanging

Jodipura Village, Malur TQ, Kolar Dist.

Hungund Village, Mundgod TQ, UK Dist.

Vijayapura

Ambika Walikar

Yankachi Gram Panchayat

Rotis

Kolar

Vijayamma

S Bisnahalli Village, Mulbagal TQ, Kolar Dist.

Decorative items

Yadgir

Suvarna Mahendra

Duppali, Kadacheura GP

Grocery store and restaurant

Koppala

Lalitamma Badiger

Hanumasagar, Kushtagi Tq,

Kids toys

Yadgir

Sharanamma Hamanavar

Hardware Store

Koppala

Vijayalakshmi Gowda

Gunduru village, Gangavathi taluk

Kadacheura gram panchayat in Yadgir taluk

artificial garlands

Mandya

Bhavani SHG

Melukote, Pandavapura, Mandya

Puliyogare, Puliyogare powder, Sambar powder, Rasam powder

Mysuru

Bharathmata Sanjeevini SHG

First Pakshirajapura,Hunsur, Mysore

Ayurvedic Herbal hair oil

Mysuru

Puttamma

Hullahalli village, Nanjangud taluk

Organic farming

Mysuru

Gopamma

Hullahalli Village, Nanjangud GP

Rope Whisk

Mysuru

Sarojamma

Chikkareyoor village, HD Kote Taluk

Goat farming and kirana store

Mysuru

Lakshmi Chapati Manufacturing Unit

Kembal Village, Rampur GP

Chapati

Raichur

Sridevi Sri Shakti SHG

Yelekudligi Village, Sindhanur Block

Rotis

Raichur

Chiguru SHG

Potnal Village, Manvi Block

Terracotta jewelry

140 | Sanjeevini

Sanjeevini | 141

Glossary AGEY- Aajeevika Grameen Express Yojana AAP- Annual Action Plan BDSP- Business Development Support Provider BRP- Block Resource Person CBO- Community Based Organization CB- Capacity Building CBRM- Community Based Repayment Mechanism/ Community Based Recovery Mechanism CHC - Custom Hiring Centre CSC- Community Service Centre CIF- Community Investment Fund CFC- Common Facility Centre CSR- Corporate Social Responsibility CEO- Chief Executive Officer CLF- Cluster-Level Federation DAY-NRLM- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihood Mission DMMU- District Mission Management Unit DDU-GKY- Deen Dayal Upadhyay Grameen Kaushalya Yojana DPM- District Project Manager DTE- District Technical Expert DFS- Digital Financial Services DSIIC- District Social Innovation and Incubation Centres EC- Empowered Committee FE- Farm Enterprise FI- Financial Inclusion FDVRC- Foundation for Development of Rural Value Chain FFS - Regular Farmer Field School FLH- Farm Livelihood FNHW- Food, Nutrition, Health and WASH FPC – Farmer Producer Company FPO – Farmer Producer Organisations FSSAI- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India GP- Gram Panchayat GPDP - Gram Panchayat Development Plan IBCB- Institution Building and Capacity Building GPLF- Gram Panchayat-Level Federation ICRISAT- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics IEC- Information, Education and Communication KMF- Karnataka Milk Federation KSRLPS- Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society LCRP- Local Community Resource Person MBK- Master Book Keeper MCRP- Master Community Resource Person MEC- Micro-Enterprise Consultant

142 | Sanjeevini

MGNREGA- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MIP- Micro Investment Plan MIRI- Made in Rurban India MIS - Management Information System MKSP- Mahila Kisan Sashaktikaran Pariyojana MoRD - Ministry of Rural Development MoU- Memorandum of Understanding MSME- Ministry of Small and Micro Enterprises MYRADA – Mysore Resettlement and Development Agency NMMU- National Mission Management Unit NPA – Non Performing Asset NPM - Non Pesticide Management NRLP - National Rural Livelihood Program NRETP- National Rural Economic Transformation Project NRO- National Resource Organization NRP- National Resource Person NTFP- Non-Timber Forest Produce OSF- One-Stop Facility PG – Producer Groups PIA- Project Implementing Agency PMSBY- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana PMJJBY- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana PVTG- Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group PWD- Persons with Different Abilities RF- Revolving Fund RSETI- Rural Self Employment Training Institute SHG- Self Help Groups SLBC- State Level Bankers' Committee SMMU- State Mission Management Unit SMD- State Mission Director SFURTI- Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries SRLM - State Rural Livelihoods Mission SRP- State Resource Person SVEP- Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme SWM - Solid Waste Management TGM- Target Group Member TOR- Terms of Reference TMMU- Taluk Mission Management Unit TRIFED- Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India TSA- Technical Support Agency VDVK- Van Dhan Vikas Karyakram VRF- Vulnerability Reduction Fund VRP- Vulnerability Reduction Plan WLF- Ward-Level Federation

Specially published informative book for Sanjeevini KSRLP by

All rights reserved. No part of this publication shall be reproduced, copied or stored in whole or part in any form in any retrieval system without permission of Sanjeevini KSRLP. All brands, products and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All opinions in this book belong to the persons cited.

SANJEEVINI-KSRLPS

Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department Office of the Mission Director, No. 4, Mysugar Building, J C Road, Kumbaragundi, Kalasipalya, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560002. Email ID: nrlmkarnataka@gmail.com

Sanjeevini - a powerful enabler - NRLM success stories in Karnataka

Articles inside

Members covered under insurance schemes 375026

No. of branches where CBRM committee formed 933

No. of Bank Managers Trained 19370

Individual member Account 645932

No. of Households Covered 2192934

No. of Accounts of SHGs 170326

No. of Villages Covered 32061

Amount of Bank Credit disbursed by Banks (in Rs. Lakhs) 3840165.23

No. of GPLFs audited 712

No. of SHGs audited 35062

No. of WLFs audited 506

No. of bankers provided orientation/training 19327

Amount of CIF provided (Rs. in Lakhs) to SHGs 38510.71

No. of SHGs received Community Invest Fund (CIF) 44799

No. of GPLFs trained 3709

No. of SHGs trained 153787

No. of WLFs trained 14799

No. of MBKs trained 2914

Block resource persons trained 1040

No. of LCRPs trained 5674

No. of SHGs holding membership in WLF 156228