Jaydip Chakrabarti
Reliance on charities for funds will not lead to development – waiting for government help or assistance from other Organization will only delay the progress of Self Help Groups (SHGs). Every SHG must generate adequate funds for expansion and growth, said Ramon Megasaysay awardee Kulandei Francis in Agartala.
Francis is a pioneer in ensuring self-reliance for rural people of Tamil Nadu through his ‘Integrated Village Development Project (IVDP). Under the project over 14,600 SHGs spread over three districts of Tamil Nadu led around 2.65 lakh people to self-reliance and prosperity. And, the project – the SHGs as well – is not dependent on government or other organizations’ help rather it is being run successfully through internal funding and Bank loans.
Francis was in the city a few days ago and held intensive interaction with selected SHGs at the JUST centre in Agartala and charted out plans for the growth of the SHGs.
“Let the poor people who are running SHGs get bank loans easily. Bank should disburse more loans for the revolving funds and extra funds required for expansion of individual SHGs”.
He said, Bank lending to SHGs in Tripura is not satisfactory and this needs to be addressed. Moreover, the members of the individual SHGs must work harder with a vision to eradicate poverty and attain self reliance, the Megasaysay awardee said. He also stressed on the need for financial literacy and financial discipline for successful use and repayment of Bank loans.
Kulandei Francis added there are two crucial factors to attain self reliance – ‘equality’ and ‘self respect’. The equality will ensure equal participation of all the members in the growth process of a SHG whereas self-respect will allow the SHG to work harder to generate funds for sustainable growth rather than expecting someone’s help.
Continuing, he stressed on holistic empowerment of rural womenfolk through SHGs. Citing examples of the villages under the IVDP in Tamil Nadu, Francis said, “By women empowerment, I mean they should be able to take part in every activity just like a man. SHGs members should ensure proper education, health care and skill development for women – this will enhance the self esteem of the women and help them to manage the SHG activities in a better way on the path of growth and prosperity”.
Apart from interaction with SHG, Kulandei Francis visited Nortredum HS School at Moharpara under Telaimura recently and funded a project to make it a Smart school.
“I have a plan to alleviate the school into a ‘model school with technology’ in future”, Francis said. Already, he has provided aids of worth over Rs 1 Crore directly to beneficiaries of Tripura using the DBT facilities. He concluded with a hope that SHGs in Tripura would bring a noticeable improvement in their socio-economic conditions.
