Radiating Energy

A journey which started amidst poverty and penury has found its way to empowerment and prosperity thanks to the power of SHG and EShakti. It is the journey of Santoshi Nayak from a teenaged mother of two to become the “Solar didi” of her village, overcoming marital abuse and catalyzing other women into entrepreneurship. 

Activity

Tailoring and solar light making at Krishnapur Village, Rajnagar Block, Seraikela-Kharsawan District, Jharkhand

Nature of Intervention

Maa Mangla Swayam Sahayata Samuh was formed by Sahyogi Mahila, Anchor NGO of NABARD under the WSHG scheme. The group diligently followed the Panchsutra, availed bank loan twice with an amount of Rs. 0.60 lakh and Rs.1 lakh respectively. Santoshi Nayak decided to supplement her family income and started the tailoring work at her house earning Rs.1500-2500/- per month from the same. For securing the future of her family she availed the “Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana along with 01 LIC Endowment Policy”.

With the launch of “EShakti” the ICT based project of NABARD for digitization of SHG accounts, book-keeping of “Maa Mangla Swayam Sahayata” got digitized along with 2000 odd other SHGs of SeraikelaKharsawan district. The real- time grading and appraisal facilitated by EShakti was instrumental in their being eligible to avail 3rd dose of loan of Rs.2 lakh. An LEDP project on “Solar light making” was sanctioned a grant assistance of Rs.4.90 lakh for 120 women. All technical aspects were explained to the trainees with Santoshi becoming a master trainer in due course. Her tailoring unit had already boosted her self-confidence. Armed with the bank loan and training, she took the lead in production of solar lights. Today the group is manufacturing solar lights which is marketed locally and has a good demand.

The Impact

Income - Rs.1500-Rs.2500/- per month from solar light for each of the 120 women

Critical Determinants 

• Able leadership and entrepreneurial spirit of Santoshi Nayak
• Bank loan facilitated by EShakti

Source : Creating Livelihoods, Changing Lives