Babita Sinha shows the way to empower Rural Women

Babita Sinha was like an ordinary rural woman resident of Ambikapur Gaon Panchayat under Silchar Development Block. Her life story was similar to the other rural women who could not think of anything but household chores. Her family was in dire straits and she had to manage everything by pulling because her family's income was not sufficient as they made a living from a small shop.

When the Silchar Development Block became ASRLM intenive in the year 2018 and the work started in full swing, inspired by other women, Babita joined a self-help group called Sonali Atmasahyak Dal. After the formation of the SHG, they had received various training from block officials. Eventually, they had availed a grant under Kanaklata Mahila SabaliKaran Yojana of Rs. 25,000 and also received Community Investment Fund of Rs. 50,000 after getting Micro Credit Plan (MCP) training followed by MCP preparation. The money they deposited at their weekly meetings and the money they had received from government grants, combination of two became a good accumulation of capital in their group. From that capital she took a loan of Rs. 20,000 and extended her previous small shop into a big one. She picked up more items in her shop and also started a fast food unit in the extended portion of that shop and started selling items like Momo, Egg Roll, Chawmin, Panipuri etc.

According to Babita Sinha, she is now able to earn Rs 500 to Rs 600 per day by covering all the expenses. Which stands 15,000 to 18,000 thousand rupees per month. In two years her standard of living changed drastically and she continues to inspire other women in her locality. She has also been able to provide better education for her children. She has proven that women can do more than just household chores if one has the will power and the intention to do something. Not only Babita but the other women of this self help group have also become self reliant in many ways and their future plan is to avail a Bank loan for which they have already processed loan application form.