Dreams Come True

Sushila, a 57-year-old woman from Jawan Bhayadi village, Panchayat Nijam Nagar, Block Laxhmangarh, Alwar, Rajasthan, had lived most of her life under difficult circumstances. Her village, home to around 450 families from various communities (SC, OBC, and General), was predominantly made up of SC families, with the majority surviving on agriculture, livestock, and labor work. With very few in government jobs, it was a place where survival was often a struggle. However, Sushila’s life would change dramatically due to her resilience and the support of a local Self-Help Group (SHG).

The Struggle: Sushila came from a very poor and illiterate background. Her husband was suffering from a severe illness, and she had five children to support. Although her children were attending school, the family had no reliable source of income. Living in a small mud house (Kutcha Ghar), they were often without enough food and struggled to meet their basic needs. The family’s small piece of land, just one and a half bigha, was insufficient to support them. There seemed to be no way out of the hardships, and life was filled with uncertainty.

A Great White Hope: In 2008, Sushila joined the Suraj Self-Help Group (SHG), which was formed by Kranti Mahila Manch Laxhmangarh, a women’s federation working in the region. The federation has grown to include around 4,200 women, and through the SHG, Sushila found a platform to change her life. Initially, the SHG had only ten members, and it provided her with the support and guidance needed to grow and develop new skills. Soon, Sushila’s dedication and activeness led her to become the leader of her SHG. Recognizing her potential, Ibtada (an NGO) promoted her to the position of Krishi Sakhi (Agriculture Facilitator) in the village. In this role, Sushila began providing agricultural services to local farmers and charging a nominal fee of ₹50 for each service. This small income was the first step toward her transformation.

Sushila’s leadership in the SHG and her growing recognition in the village led her to take on more responsibilities. Eventually, she was promoted to the position of cluster (Sabha) leader. Her involvement in the SHG helped her gain both social and financial empowerment, supported by the strong SHG institution in her village.

Overcoming Challenges and Societal Barriers: Despite the societal barriers and challenges Sushila faced, she remained determined to break free from her circumstances. In the conservative village setting, women were often confined to traditional roles, with little opportunity for personal growth. However, Sushila’s desire to create a better life for herself and her family pushed her to refuse to obey these norms. She understood that in order to escape the darkness of her past, she would have to disregard social evils and embrace new opportunities.

To develop her skills and confidence, Sushila participated in several training programs, including:

• SHG management training

• Cluster leader training

• Leadership training

• Facilitation training

• Gender training

• CRP (Community Resource Person) training

• Sakhi (Community Cadre) training

• Financial literacy training

She also participated in exposure visits to Delhi, Jaipur, and Mount Abu to further build her

capacity.

Emerging as a Leader and Creating Income Sources: Through these various trainings and exposure visits, Sushila emerged as a strong leader in her village and within the federation. As a result, the federation selected her as a leader to support its operations. Her understanding of the federation’s work led to her selection as a CRP in the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), a government initiative. As a CRP, Sushila helped form and build the capacity of SHGs across different districts, including Dungarpur, Kota, Banswara, Dausa, and Alwar.

Sushila earned an impressive ₹21,000 per month as a CRP. She worked with NRLM for 12-15 rounds, contributing significantly to the growth and success of the SHG movement. In her role as a Sakhi, Sushila also helped train many women in advanced farming techniques. Today, she is known as an agriculture expert in her village and assists local farmers in adopting modern farming practices. Her husband, once ill, is now healthy and sells vegetables in the village. Sushila herself practices advanced farming, including floriculture, vegetable cultivation, and animal rearing. She has promoted kitchen gardening at home to save money and improve her family’s well-being.

Results of the Journey: Reflecting on her journey, Sushila proudly says, “Despite being illiterate myself, I got my daughter to complete her BA. This is my biggest achievement.” Her journey of transformation has empowered her in ways she never thought possible. With hard work, dedication, and continuous learning, Sushila has become a model of empowerment for other women in the village.

Her family’s financial situation has dramatically improved. From an initial income of ₹1,500-2,000 per month, the family now earns ₹70,000-90,000 per month. Two of her sons work in the electricity department on a contractual basis, further contributing to the household income.

Sushila’s achievements include:

• Purchasing a plot of land in the village

• Buying a motorcycle

• Installing a flour mill (Atta Chakki)

• Building a beautiful brick house

• Owning two buffalo and a cow

• Saving ₹40,000 in the SHG

Sushila’s Dream: Looking back at her journey, Sushila expresses gratitude for everything she has achieved. “All my dreams have come true through this journey. The only dream left is to fly in an aeroplane,” she says with a smile. She has also enrolled her two daughters-in-law in different SHGs and dreams of empowering them in the same way she was empowered.

Conclusion: Sushila’s story is not just her own—it’s the story of countless women in rural India who have transformed their lives through SHGs. The SHG movement, supported by institutions like Ibtada and Kranti Mahila Manch, has enabled women like Sushila to rise above poverty and social barriers. Their collective action and empowerment have led to better livelihoods, improved social status, and financial independence.

Sushila’s story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and community support. Through SHGs, rural women are not just surviving—they are thriving, creating better futures for themselves and their families.