Encouraging Women Entrepreneurs Through SHG

March 9, 2024

Indian Masterminds Stories

Women have made significant strides, transitioning from traditional domestic roles to assuming leadership positions in both global affairs and corporate arenas. Daily, they shatter barriers and set new benchmarks, propelling progress in various fields.

In the current year’s observance of International Women’s Day, there’s a fresh wave of optimism for female entrepreneurs to spearhead notable advancements in business and economic prosperity. Echoing the theme of International Women’s Day, “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” we’re delighted to highlight initiatives led by IAS officers that empower women in business through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

Ms. Sakshi Sawhney, Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, is assisting SHG women in becoming more professional producers of colorful handmade Phulkari Dupattas and intricately crafted Juttis. Ms. Chandni Chandran, DM of Khowai (Tripura), has provided space for SHG women to display their products in her office. These small steps by the officers are creating a wave of entrepreneurship among women in the country.

Let’s take a look at some beautiful success stories of SHG women guided by distinguished bureaucrats:

BRINGING PROFESSIONALISM TO BRAND PANKHARI

Colorful handmade Phulkari Dupattas and intricately crafted Juttis from Patiala are much sought after throughout the country. Local talents in this Punjab district are skilled and creative, with the majority of them being women from remote rural areas. To assist them, the district administration has established an umbrella brand called Pankhari, which serves as a market for all products created by women SHGs.

The initiative, which has been taken under the direction of DC Patiala, Sakshi Sawhney, is helping the women from the SHGs to become more professional, and, thereby, empowered.

Leading Odisha’s Agri-revolution Through ICT

Odisha has undergone a remarkable transformation in its agricultural landscape, evolving from a food deficit state to a surplus one during the past two decades. The Odisha Government has spearheaded initiatives that leverage technology, community-driven approaches, and sustainable practices to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure food security for all.

Indian Masterminds exclusively spoke with IAS officer Anu Garg, currently posted as Development Commissioner Cum Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources of Odisha to know more about the project.

SHG Women In Kanpur Dehat Earning Around Rs 80K Each

2017 batch IAS officer Saumya Pandey’s journey as an achiever started young. Less than a decade into her career, she has scripted success stories across districts of Uttar Pradesh. From inspiring and helping women to come out of conservative homes to making a five-digit income by joining SHGs, this officer has transformed cities of garbage into the ‘No. 2 cleanest one’, besides improving the education of a janpad by bringing in smart classes to humble government schools.

Under the aegis of the Uttar Pradesh Government’s Mission Shakti for empowering women economically, she established Prerna canteens run by Self-Help groups of women that cater to all government offices, blocks, tehsils, thanas, RTO offices, and hospitals.

The women under the Prerna ‘janpad’ scheme run solar lighting, canteens, and also tailor school uniforms, making a lump-sum amount that allows them to be decision-makers.

A DM Office With A Difference: Special Counters for SHGs, Open Work Spaces For Staff

These days, visitors to the Collector’s office in the Khowai district of Tripura are greeted with a strange sight. The government office has a very different look, with tastefully designed shelves showcasing colorful local wares. However, the wares are not ordinary products, as they have been handmade by SHGs.

To encourage the SHGs of the district, the DM of Khowai, Ms. Chandni Chandran, a 2017-batch IAS officer, started this unique initiative in her own office, and has now asked all other government offices, from headquarters to block level, to follow suit.

Punyashree Stores Of Pune Empowering Women SHGs

In the post-pandemic economy, Pune Zila Parishad has come up with a magic wand that uses local products to generate prosperity and jobs in the district.

To promote and provide retail space for products manufactured by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Maharashtra district, the Pune District Rural Development Authority has established Punyashree Stores. Forty-one such stores have been set up across the district since January with the help of capital subsidy schemes and bank loans.

The concept behind it is a D-mart store, small but a proper market to purchase products. Pune Zila Parishad CEO, Ayush Prasad, a 2015 IAS batch officer, informed Indian Masterminds that these stores came up, “in a bid to double household incomes by increasing the participation of women in the workforce and also to help overcome the challenge of finding retail space for products manufactured by self-help groups”.

Indian Masterminds Stories