Highlights of the Burmu Mahila Sangh Adhiveshan on
8th March 2008

Women of 60SHGs from 14 villages of Burmu Block of Ranchi District celebrated their solidarity on the International Women’s Day at Khutertoli of Nauj village. Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra and Burmu Mahila Sangh jointly organized the Adhivesan.

The Adheveshan commenced with a Prabhat Pheri where the members of the SHGs carrying the banners of their SHGs and shouting slogans of “Nari Shakti Ek Ho” and “Hum Behno Ka Nara Hain, Gaon Gaon Mein Mahila Bank Kholna Hain” from within the village roads sensitizing other women in the villages entered the venue and in a disciplined manner took their seats in a circle form The group leaders carrying diya in their hands entered next singing “ Deep Se Deep Jalao Man Mein Jyot Jalao.”  

The Block Development Officer, Mr. Rajeev Ranjan was invited as the Chief Guest. The Guest of honor inaugurated the show by lighting the lamp. The group leaders then took a pledge to lead the groups honestly, sincerely and work for the development of the village as a whole.   

Ms Klara Lakra presented a brief report on the performance of the 60 women SHGs promoted by Krishi Gram Vikas Kendra under the Mahila Swa-Shakti Project of Government of India. The SHGs have since inception been able to form a total corpus of Rs5.2Lakhs and have leveraged a total of Rs9.0Lakhs as credit for various income generating activities such as mushroom cultivation, goat rearing and for agriculture purposes. Women have experienced substantial change in their lifestyle and have been able to save Rs750/member on an average. The Sangh comprises of 750 women members who have taken the charge of their development and are determined to take forward the development initiatives with gainful partnerships with the government agencies, financial institutions, village panchayats and development agencies.

Ms Ranthi Devi, a member of Basair Mahila Mandal of Nauj village shared her experience on her successful initiative of running a tea stall on the roadside.     Few years back when she lost her husband and had children to take care of she was perplexed as to how she could support her family. She joined Mahila Mandal and started saving weekly from her earnings as agriculture laborer. Gradually she decided to open a tea stall and took a loan of Rs 3000/ from the SHG. She could make profit as the tea stall was only one in between the Bank and the Block office and drew good clients. This boosted her confidence and started selling some snacks as well. She supports her family and also manages to save. She next plans to even sell meals. She is also the cluster leader and motivates other women in her cluster.    

After this inspiring experience sharing, Mr. Rajeev Ranjan addressed the women and congratulated them for their success. He said that those groups, which have not yet been graded, should be graded and avail the revolving fund. He said that women are the driving force for all development and he is happy that women of Burmu have already initiated the process.

A Nukkad Natak on “Awareness on HIV/ AIDS” staged by the ANM students of TVM, Gurukul of KGVK. The SHG members also staged skit plays on “Health Awareness” and “Role of women in the Gram Sabha”. Rekha Devi, the cluster leader of Patratu Block of Ramgarh district said that she was impressed by the Adhivesan and plans to hold the same with the SHGs in Ramgarh.  

The Secretary, KGVK, Mr. Jayanta Mitra, said that the initiation of development activities by the women of Burmu Block is commendable and he hoped that they would act as most vibrant partners in development goals of KGVK. Program Manager, Mr. KL Choudhury said that he was happy to find a visible change in confidence among the women since the initiation of the Swa- Shakti Project. 

The Bank Manager, Bank of India, Thakurgaon Branch, presented prizes to the best performing groups.

The program ended with a group dance involving all to symbolize unity, solidarity and strength of togetherness.

It is to be noted here that the show was sponsored by KGVK with 45% contribution from the SHG members.