“A gift of prosperity and self-reliance for women through Vishnu Bhaiya’s government.”
After joining the Kali Maa Self-Help Group, Subhadra took a loan of Rs 1 lakh and started cucumber cultivation on one acre, raising hopes of higher income.
Raipur, August 2026: The Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) is playing an important role in connecting rural women with self-help groups, economic activities and opportunities for self-reliance. After joining Bihan, women are receiving access to loans and other necessary support through self-help groups, which they are using for agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, vegetable cultivation and other livelihood activities. These initiatives are creating new employment and income opportunities for rural women.
One such inspiring story is that of Mrs Subhadra Mandal, a resident of Sakalo village in Ambikapur development block. After joining the Kali Maa Self-Help Group, Subhadra secured a loan of Rs 1 lakh through the group and used the funds to begin cucumber cultivation on one acre of land. Through this initiative, she has taken an important step towards increasing her income and strengthening her family financially.
Lack of Capital Had Been a Barrier to Expanding Farming
Subhadra Mandal said that earlier, a shortage of financial resources prevented her from taking up farming on a larger scale. Her family’s income was limited, and after meeting everyday household expenses, there was little capital left to invest in agriculture.
She said she had always wanted to develop farming as an additional and sustainable source of income, but the lack of capital made it difficult. Joining Bihan provided her with a new opportunity and renewed hope.
Financial Support Through Bihan Helps Expand Farming
Subhadra said that joining the self-help group gave her an opportunity to expand her economic activities. After gaining access to credit through the group, she decided to use agriculture as a means of livelihood and began cultivating cucumbers on one acre.
According to her, the loan not only provided the capital needed to start cultivation but also gave her the confidence to pursue something independently. She is now working to increase production through her efforts and contribute to the family’s income.
Aspiration to Increase Income and Become a ‘Lakhpati Didi’
Subhadra Mandal said the income generated from cucumber cultivation will help meet her family’s financial needs. She also plans to reinvest future profits into livelihood activities to further strengthen her family’s sustainable source of income.
She said her goal is to become financially self-reliant through hard work and consistent efforts and move towards becoming a ‘Lakhpati Didi’. For her, farming is no longer merely a traditional occupation but has become a means of increasing family income and creating a better future.
Gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Subhadra Mandal expressed her gratitude to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for helping women connect with the Bihan initiative and facilitating access to credit for livelihood activities.
She said that after joining Bihan, she found a pathway to start an economic activity and convert her hard work into an income-generating opportunity. The financial support received through the self-help group, she added, has become an important foundation for her journey towards self-reliance.
She is now continuing her efforts to increase her income through farming and improve her family’s financial condition.
Institutional Support for Women’s Economic Empowerment
Through the Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan), rural women are being connected with self-help groups and provided with access to financial assistance, credit and other support required for economic activities. Women are using these resources for livelihood opportunities suited to their local conditions and individual interests.
Subhadra Mandal’s story is an example of this transformation, where a self-help group, institutional credit and a woman’s determination have come together to create a new path towards self-reliance.
The cucumber cultivation that began on one acre of land has now emerged as a source of additional income and a symbol of hope for a better future for Subhadra and her family.
