Women in Rural Chhattisgarh Becoming Self-Reliant Through the Bihan Scheme

Tent-sound services, tailoring centres, and local products are transforming lives

Raipur : Under the government’s flagship Bihan Scheme, rural women in Chhattisgarh are becoming increasingly self-reliant. Women across the district are not only supporting their families financially but are also emerging as role models in their communities.

Empowering Women of Kudargarh – Financial Independence Through Tent, Sound, and Utensil Rental Services

The members of the Saraswati Livelihood Women Self-Help Group, formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) on 27 August 2019 in Kudargarh village, Odgi block of Surajpur district, have set an inspiring example by collectively starting tent, sound system, and utensil rental services.

With government support, the group received ₹15,000 as a revolving fund and ₹60,000 as Community Investment Fund (CIF). Additionally, through bank linkage, they availed a loan of ₹3,00,000.

With this financial backing, six women began the enterprise, which now serves weddings, fairs, and community events in and around the village. In the past year alone, the group has earned a revenue of around ₹3,00,000, significantly empowering these women economically. Their initiative is now inspiring other rural women to pursue entrepreneurship.

Preeti Gurjar – From Tailoring Centre to Becoming a “Lakhpati Didi”

Preeti Gurjar from Kharra village, Odgi block, has completely transformed her life through the Bihan Scheme. Associated with the Preeti Women Self-Help Group since 2014, she initially received a ₹15,000 revolving fund in 2015, using ₹5,000 to buy her first sewing machine and start tailoring work.

Later, from the ₹60,000 CIF grant, she used ₹10,000 to purchase two more machines. In 2016, the group received a ₹1,20,000 bank loan, from which she withdrew ₹70,000 to buy three additional machines. Currently, her tailoring centre provides her with a monthly income of ₹7,000.

In addition to this, she also runs a shop selling bamboo items and brooms, earning an extra ₹2,000 per month. Moreover, she works as an FLC-RP (Field Level Community Resource Person) and receives a monthly honorarium of ₹6,360.

Today, Preeti Gurjar’s total monthly income stands at ₹15,360, with an annual income of ₹1,84,360, placing her in the category of “Lakhpati Didis” (Women earning over ₹1 lakh annually). She has not only achieved financial independence but also provided a strong foundation for her family and ensured quality education for her children.

Bihan Scheme: A Wind of Change in Rural Women’s Lives

The Bihan Scheme is reshaping the lives of rural women through self-employment and collective entrepreneurship. These women are no longer just members of self-help groups, but are becoming key drivers of their villages’ economic progress.

The success stories from Surajpur district represent a broader transformation and stand as a source of inspiration for the entire state of Chhattisgarh. Under the Bihan Scheme, rural women are proving that with the right support and determination, they can lead change and build empowered communities.