The country is changing rapidly, and half the population plays a crucial role in this transformation. Women, who once remained behind the veil, are now working shoulder-to-shoulder with men to take the nation, society, and their families forward.
Sonia Devi, a resident of the small village of Arajori in the Sarath block of the district, has proved through her work that those who try never fail. Sonia, who has educated herself up to the intermediate level, became a 'Bank Sakhi' and has given wings to the dreams of 5,000 women in the block and surrounding areas.
She facilitated the opening of bank accounts for women from five Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and connected nearly 450 groups to bank credit links. Today, the women of these groups are not only shouldering household responsibilities but are also rapidly improving their economic conditions.
Sonia Becomes A Role Model
Sonia has become a role model for women in her area, but her journey was not easy. After completing her intermediate education, she got married in 2010. Her husband did not earn much, and the family's financial condition was poor. Meanwhile, she gave birth to two sons.
Worried about her children, Sonia initially worked as a tuition teacher in the village between 2015 and 2017. During this time, a publicity van for the government's JSLPS (Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society) scheme arrived in the village, and Sonia saw an opportunity for herself.
In 2018, she formed the 'Santoshi Maa Ajeevika Sakhi Mission,' joining 13 women. Gradually, she formed 15 more groups, connecting about 200 women. Sonia educated them about the benefits of the groups and helped them open bank accounts. Impressed by her work, the bank appointed her as a 'Bank Sakhi.'
She subsequently became a guide for 5,000 women in the region. Sonia took a loan herself to open a stationery shop in Sarath and used the earnings to help her husband set up a carpentry shop. Today, she earns more than Rs 2.5 lakh annually.
Making Other Women Self-Reliant
Sonia has worked to make many other women self-reliant. Hemlata Devi of Babhangama formed the 'Juhi Ajeevika Sakhi Mission' in 2019. Later, she formed 13 groups in her village, connecting 140 women. Through the group, she took a loan of Rs 50,000 from the bank in 2021 and opened a shop named 'Lakshmi Pansari.'
Later, she opened a gift corner to provide employment for her husband. One son holds a diploma in mechanical engineering, and the other is a computer engineer. Today, the family is financially prosperous and happy.
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Inspired by this, Sony Devi, also from Babhangama, formed the 'Umang Ajeevika Sakhi Mission' in 2020. Seeing her dedication, she was given the role of FIC (Financial Investment). Sony started training women on how to run groups, the benefits, and bank loans.
Meanwhile, Sony took a Rs 10,000 loan from the group to buy a sewing machine and started tailoring. Later, she took a bank loan to help her husband, Santosh Poddar, open a jewelry shop in Sarath. Today, both husband and wife are earning, and the family is happy.
Similarly, Bulbul Devi formed the 'Jai Maa Durga Ajeevika Sakhi Mission.' She worked continuously to form 144 groups, connecting nearly 1,750 women. Through the group, she is providing good education to her three children. She took a bank loan to help her husband open a furniture shop, establishing her own identity in society.