Unsung heroes, particularly members of women self-help groups, on Wednesday stole the heart of chief minister Naveen Patnaik when they shared their success stories at the Make in Odisha Conclave.
Naveen was so much moved by the success stories that he gave a standing ovation to Jayanti Ekka, a tribal women who is the president of the SHG federation of Sundergarh district. The federation runs 15,000 SHGs.
Recently, Jayanti took a loan of Rs 80 lakh for starting a fly-ash brick project by souring raw material from a nearby ash pond. The manner in which Jayanti's SHG has fared over time, it is no a wonder that her organisation rakes in a business of Rs 17 lakh per month.
She was invited to share her story with other women delegates in the presence of Naveen. Jayanti shared her stories of how she had united more than 15,000 women to produce chhatua (gram flour). This, she said, had helped improve the economy of tribal women.
Not just Jayanti, several others shared their stories of economic empowerment. Till a few years ago, Sumitra Barik, 32, from Suliapada in Mayurbhanj did not have enough money to buy a new sari.
Today, she handsomely contributes to the family and has a bank balance of more than Rs 2 lakh. Jayanti has earned immense respect in her area as she helped a few other women to earn independently and not depend on their husband’s income.
Sumitra said: “Because of the Mission Shakti movement, there has been a change in the lifestyle of the people of our area. The people started taking earning money and even those with criminal background have joined the mainstream.”
Sumitra leads a women self-help group that has 10 members. “We used to produce various kinds of products from sabai grass. The products included table, dining tables and several such items. The effort helps each member to earn at least Rs 10,000 per month.”
Another woman Ashima Bharati Singh from Kolianana in Mayurbhanj spoke about how they managed to live well by setting up a tailoring unit.
“Ten of us set up a tailoring unit by taking a loan of Rs 3 lakh. Now each of us are able to earn Rs 9000 to Rs 11,000 per month,” she said.
