A development project focuses not just on economic enhancement but also on personal progress. A women’s literacy scheme under a development project called HRIDAY has been instrumental in setting up SHGs comprising women. The women discuss various development and social issues affecting the village, including accessing the benefits of government development schemes, and the formalities involved. Adolescent girl groups have been formed under the project, focusing on health, hygiene and education. Bharat Dogra reports from Jharkhand
In a hamlet of Mahuari Village in Jharkhand, several women collected around a contractor who had been assigned the work for constructing toilets in the village. They had heard that the toilets were being constructed in a very hurried and shoddy way, and knew from experience the facilities would not last long. They pointed out the flaws in the construction and demanded that the toilet be completely redone. After heated exchanges, the women finally won. The toilets, not only in this particular part of the village, but in others too, were rebuilt in a much better way, and as a result, the ODF (‘open defecation free’ campaign) is a success in this hamlet, unlike in some other settlements.
The women who made this possible are members of a self-help group (SHG) called the Parvati Samooh. The 15 members of the group meet regularly and discuss social issues. It is this unity of the women which gave them the strength to confront those responsible for the faulty toilets. In general, the group is involved with a collective savings effort, each woman contributing Rs 100 per month and then borrowing from the SHG when a need arises in the family. One of the women, Lalita, explains, “I can borrow at 2 per cent per month whereas a moneylender charges 5 per cent, or even more, depending on circumstances. What is more, if someone in difficult circumstances is unable to pay back in time, we can decide to postpone the repayment or waive the interest.”
And the interest remains with the group. “This keeps women and entire families relatively free of tension, as they know that in times of sudden need, they can get at least some money from the SHG at a low interest,” says Aarti. The women also discuss various development and social issues affecting the village, including accessing the benefits of government development schemes and the formalities involved. This has been facilitated by a women’s literacy scheme under a development project called HRIDAY (Holistic Rural Initiatives for Development Action and Yield), which has been instrumental in setting up SHGs like the Parvati Samooh. The HRIDAY Project, implemented by Sahbhagi Shikshan Kendra and supported by LIC HFL, emphasises functional aspects of literacy, including keeping accounts for the SHG and filling in forms for development schemes.

rightly take pride in their effort made in the middle of severe economic constraints.
In the Dalit hamlet of Basari Village, which has very poor resources, women like Pinky Devi and Malti Devi have got together to form the Roshni SHG. Although they can afford to deposit a saving of only Rs 20 per member per month, they rightly take pride in their effort made in the middle of severe economic constraints. Unity, empowerment, and the literacy drive are among the benefits. The sammanghar, literally meaning ‘place of dignity’, is the name given to bathing rooms constructed under the HRIDAY Project, which is widely appreciated by the women. While toilets have received a lot of importance in recent sanitation efforts, bathing rooms have been neglected.
The HRIDAY Project also provides goats for rearing, and it has become an important means of meeting family needs for cash without having to take loans. (Some of the women reported that their goats had not survived, and expressed their sorrow.) The employment prospects of women in the 10 villages under the project have been widened. This is an important component of the project, says managing coordinator Amit Singh. Small groups of women entrepreneurs take up various small-scale production activities including making sanitary pads, cloth bags, paper plates and bowls. In addition, besan and sattu are also prepared. The products carry the brand name Urmi.
Though the women whom this writer met were happy and enthusiastic about what they have achieved so far, the market situation is sometimes adverse for such small-scale efforts, and several constraints have to be overcome. The project also envisages meeting the bulk of the cost of setting up vending or street food stalls by women, who have to contribute only a small amount. Sewing classes have helped several women and adolescent girls to at least pick up the skills to meet the tailoring needs of their families, while young girls enthusiastically participate in computer classes started under HRIDAY.
Kishori Samoohs or adolescent girl groups formed under the project, focus on health, hygiene (particularly menstrual hygiene) and education. The bonding has helped the girls be collectively assertive. For instance, when auto rickshaw drivers were charging unreasonably high fare for taking them to school, they got together and protested, and the drivers began charging only mandated fares.
Nikki, a college student from Lotantiya Village, knows all about HRIDAY, as her mother is an SHG member. She enrolled in a Kishori Samooh, and says she learnt a lot there. She has attended both sewing and computer classes under the project. Apart from the learning, she also values the opportunity to bond with her contemporaries. “I was able to regularly meet my friends whom I otherwise meet rarely, and we were talking and laughing and discussing a lot of things, which made me happy,” says the young girl. The happiness and hope that HRIDAY brings to women and girls is no small part of the benefits of the project.

have received a lot of importance in recent sanitation efforts made by the women,
bathing rooms have been neglected.
Apart from this, the personal development of women who are actively involved in the project is a big step forward. Naushaba, who comes from a conservative Muslim family, could not have thought of playing a big role in mobilising the community a short while ago. However, after overcoming some initial hesitation, she has proved to be a very popular team member who has endeared herself to the community by her deep commitment to her work, combined with friendliness.
Aarti holds a post-graduate degree in History, and could have taken up a career in teaching, but was prevented from continuing her studies by domestic issues. She seized a chance to work in HRIDAY in the mobilisation campaign and literacy work. She was able to do this while caring for her two children (with the help of their grandparents). She has progressed very well and has contributed much to the success of various community efforts. Being involved in welfare work makes Naushaba, Aarti, and several other women happy, besides enhancing their standing in the community.
(The writer is a senior freelance journalist and author who has been associated with several social movements and initiatives. He lives in New Delhi.)