Once leading a life of poverty and deprivation, Bhagwati Devi—a resident of Hardoli village in the Katangi block of Balaghat district—has today become an inspiring success story of self-reliance and women’s empowerment. With the support of the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), she has not only transformed her own family’s economic status but has also paved a new path for other women in her village.
Bhagwati Devi’s life was previously passing through an extremely difficult phase. Her husband, a daily-wage laborer, struggled to somehow provide for the family. Due to their limited income, meeting the children’s educational and healthcare needs, as well as covering daily expenses, became a formidable challenge. There were times when circumstances were so dire that the family had to rely on borrowing money just to survive.
In 2018, Bhagwati Devi laid the foundation for a transformative change in her life by joining the ‘Vikas Self-Help Group‘ in Hardoli. After joining the group, she learned the discipline of saving, developed an understanding of financial management, and gained knowledge about self-employment opportunities. By availing small loans, she initiated activities such as goat rearing and farming, which led to a gradual increase in her income.
Under the Livelihoods Mission, she received financial assistance through various schemes: Rs10,000 from the CIF (Community Investment Fund), a group loan of Rs 2,000, and Rs 100,000 under the CCL (Cash Credit Limit). Utilizing these resources, Bhagwati Devi took a bold decision and purchased a tractor.
Subsequently, she began offering tractor services—such as plowing and sowing—for agricultural activities within the village. This step proved to be a turning point in her life. She now began earning a regular and respectable income.
Following the commencement of her tractor-based enterprise, her monthly income reached approximately Rs 12,000. Additionally, she continued to generate supplementary income through farming and goat rearing. While the family’s total monthly income previously stood at around Rs 5,000, it has now surged to over Rs 20,000.
Along with economic empowerment, Bhagwati Devi’s self-confidence has also grown. She is now providing her children with a better education and supporting her family with dignity. In her village, she has established herself as a successful woman entrepreneur.
Inspired by Bhagwati Devi’s success, many women in the village are now joining self-help groups and moving towards adopting self-employment. Her struggle and success serve as a powerful message to rural women that, with hard work and proper guidance, change is indeed possible.
Bhagwati Devi’s story demonstrates that if one receives the right opportunities, guidance, and determination, anyone can transform their circumstances. This stands as an excellent example of the efforts being made to empower rural women and make them self-reliant through the Madhya Pradesh State Rural Livelihoods Mission.
