ABSTRACT

The Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission, under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, made important contributions through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for the socio-economic upliftment of the women of rural Kushinagar. Through these SHGs women are being empowered; encouraged and motivated to work; and trained to conduct activities according to their expectations.

BACKGROUND OF THE CASE STUDY

On June 2011, the Government of India launched the National Rural Livelihood Mission to promote self-employment and to organise the rural poor. The idea behind this programme was that the poor will be organised into SHGs, such that they are capable of self-employment.

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE CASE STUDY

The case study is to analyse how the Uttar Pradesh State Livelihood Mission has contributed towards creating employment and ensuring financial freedom for the rural women of Kushinagar through SHGs.

KEY FEATURES OF THE CASE STUDY

Under this scheme, the Uttar Pradesh National Rural Livelihood Mission brought together the women in the district as SHGs and were given training to follow the Panchasutra in day-to-day life. For this, the financial assistance was rendered through bank accounts owned by the government.

Fig 1.1 Kushinagar haat in the Kushinagar airport (L) Kushinara Product (R)

These SHGs enabled women to make products that are promoted and sold under the unique brand name of Kushinara, which is also the mythological name of Kushinagar district. Kushinagar haat established at the Kushinagar airport gave national and international platforms to these products. At the district level, Kushinara mart was set up in Vikas Bhawan premises for selling these products made by women, which include - Kushinara Neer (an initiative of the Pragati Mhila SHG Vikas Khand -Tamkuhi), stationery, sanitation kits, phenyl, toilet cleaners, sanitizers, brooms, slippers, organic turmeric, organic besan and sattu, vermicompost, bakery materials, rice, mushrooms and other things. Besides, Prerna canteens were established in Vikas Bhawan, collectorate campus and 14 development blocks.

Many SHGs of the district within Vikas Khand that used to earn income by working in traditional ways started earning better income by associating with the Kushinara brand in improving quality, packaging and related aspects.

IMPACT FOR LONG TERM

The National Rural Livelihood Mission’s initiative in Kushinagar district to bring SHGs to promote self-employment not only strengthened women but also helped to reduce poverty by enabling poor households to access skilled wage employment opportunities on a sustainable basis. It helped in building strong and sustainable institutions of the poor at grassroot level.