Working together in a group Shree Lakhi SHG set a benchmark for others starting a tent house business

This is the story of Shree Lakhi Self Help Group of Ambikapur Gaon Panchayat under Silchar Development Block who have set a benchmark for others working together in a group, they have proved that unity is the strength. The SHG was formed under Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) in the year 2020, after that they had received various training and were taught how to maintain books of record properly and in a regular manner. They used to maintain a very good relationship with the bank and used to deposit their weekly savings in the bank weekly basis for which their transactions with the bank were also very good.

After completion of three months forming their SHG, they were graded from the block office and they passed the grading and became eligible for Revolving Fund. They then apply for a bank loan with the help block office through NRLM Bank Linkage portal. Later another grading was done from the bank and after field level verification and checking of books of record the bank sanctioned Rs.1,00,000 initially for them.

The members of the SHG altogether decided to start a tent house business. Tent house business is always a lucrative one, whose service is in demand in 12 months of the year. Whether it is birthday party, wedding anniversary or any other happy occasions we celebrate requires some tent house items which is a good scope for their business. Generally tent house business is limited to urban areas, so they decided to start it in their village to facilitate the rural population which will also lead to business opportunities for them. To start a tent house business one does not need any special qualification and starting it is also a very easy process. If the entrepreneur takes good care of the goods, the same continues for the next 10 years, although in between, according to the interest and requirement of the people, new items may have to be added.

From the loan they got, they decided to invest Rs. 50,000 initially and the rest they kept apart for contingency purposes and bought various utensils required for the business, 30 pieces of chair, gas stove and many other items. They later procured two water holding trunks with storage capacity of 500 and 200 liters respectively.

There was a need for a place to keep these things. Mrs. Dipti Das, the president of the group, came forward voluntarily and gave one room in her house to keep the things. They didn't have to bother much to find a customer, because the customer was within their SHG, VO and CLF members and outsiders too. In the first month they earned around Rs.5,000. This made them more confident and they decided to invest the remaining Rs 50,000 in the business and buy some more things. Their future plan is to buy a small goods carrier if they can make more profit in their business, which will be convenient for them to deliver the items to the customer's house.