In Chhattisgarh, under Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai’s visionary leadership, women’s economic empowerment blooms through targeted welfare schemes. Rural women, once confined to household chores, now forge paths of self employment, bolstering family fortunes. Smt. Rajni Uike from Batari Gram Panchayat, Katghora Block, Korba district, embodies this shift, a graduate who rejected domesticity for entrepreneurship, transforming her life via the Bihan Scheme.
Joining the Jay Lakshmi Self help Group (SHG) in 2022 marked her turning point. Training, guidance, and financial aid of 8,000 Rupees from Revolving Fund (RF) and 30,000 Rupees from Community Investment Fund (CIF), plus a 1.5 lakh Rupees bank loan ignited her ventures (a home based) poultry farm, photocopy, and Choice Center. Today, she manages them seamlessly, boasting an annual income of 1.1 lakh Rupees, earning the prestigious Lakhpati Didi tag.
Rajni’s story transcends numbers. Once reliant solely on her husband, she now shares financial burdens, instilling family stability and pride. “These schemes sparked positive change,” she says. “I’m independent, no longer dependent on anyone.” Her success underscores SHG’s power (skill building and credit unlock potential), fostering self reliance.
Chhattisgarh’s model, Bihan, Lakhpati Didi proves policy ignites grassroots revolutions. Yet scaling demands sustained training, market linkages, and gender sensitive finance. Rajni’s triumph inspires millions, affirming women’s economic roles as development’s cornerstone.
