Until very recently Anita Painkra andher family was living in a kutcha house. Recently she, her husband and their two kids have shifted to a pucca house. Anita is happy in her new house. But there is another reason that makes Anita happier. The cost of constructing the new house was born by Anita herself. It was her earnings from Bihan the Chhattisgarh Government’s scheme under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.

Anita lives in the Sidhma village of Balrampur district in Chhattisgarh. Her life centred around the family and household chores. So when women from another village came to expand the activities of Bihan, she saw a new world of opportunities. They told her and the other women of the village that under the Bihan scheme the government would provide training and support to them to take up various livelihood activities.She told her husband that she wants to join a Self Help Group to get associated with Bihan. Her husband was not very enthusiastic about it but he did not stop her from joining. “I told him that many women are joining the SHG and I want to join too. He said, ‘If everyone is joining why should you stay behind?’ Thus I joined the SHG.” Says Anita.

Anita joined the Self Help Group and got involved in the activities. She got training in advanced farming methods and also learnt how to manage finances. Gradually she and the other women started making profits in farming. Today, these women sell their farm produce in the markets by themselves. The middlemen have been eliminated. The women are now more confident and financially independent.

“Earlier I did not earn anything. I am independent now because I earn money and I don’t have to ask my husband for anything. I can support my children’s education too. Earning money gives confidence and life becomes easier. I am happy that I could construct a pucca house with my earnings. We can also take loan from the SHG when we need and it is a great relief for us. We do not need to take loan from the money lenders.It is a very big change.” Says Anita.

Anita’s biggest dream is to fulfil every need of her children. She wants to ensure good education for them. “I want them to be successful in life. This is my biggest reason for being associated with Bihan.” She says.

Anita thanks the women who came to her village to tell her and other women about Bihan and the benefits of joining the Self Help Groups. She feels her association with Bihan has immensely benefited her in changing her life. “Without Bihan it would never have been possible to do whatever I am doing now.” She says.

Today Anita encourages other women to form Self Help Groups and to get associated with Bihan. She thinks it is the easiest way for women like her to improve their financial conditions. It is also a significant means for women to gain self-confidence according to her.