Empowered Woman: Sheela's Inspiring Story

Jhabua (Madhya Pradesh): Sheela Solanki of Khamdipada village under Petlawad development block is setting an inspiring example of self-reliance and women's empowerment. Married in 1999, Shila faced significant financial challenges in her joint family, where everyone had to work to make ends meet.

During festivals, they often had to borrow money at high interest rates, leaving Sheela with no savings. Determined to improve her family's situation and provide a better education for her children, she sought a way out of these hardships.

In 2022, Sheela joined the MP Day State Rural Livelihood Mission. She attended a meeting organised by the Livelihood Mission, where she learned about group operations. Inspired, she formed the “Shanti Swayam Sahayata Samuh” with ten other women from her area.

After joining the group, Sheela began saving weekly and depositing her savings in the bank. Through group meetings, she gained knowledge about various government schemes.

With a CCL loan from the bank, Sheela took a loan of Rs 15,000 from her group to open a grocery shop in her village, which significantly boosted her confidence. Her husband also started working in vegetable production, allowing him to stop working as a labourer.

Now, Sheela's income has increased from Rs 15,000 to 18,000 per month. She later took a loan of Rs 50,000 to expand her grocery business and also started sewing.

Sheela expresses her gratitude to the Ajeevika Mission for transforming her life, stating, “I will create my own identity in the village, and I encourage all the women in our group to increase their activities and earn Rs 15,000 to 20,000 every month.”