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Success Story of Chinmaya Radha Self Help Group

Success Story of Chinmaya Radha Self Help Group

Formed in 2017 by the CORD team in Gram Panchayat Sarotri, Nagrota Bagwan block, Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the Chinmaya Radha self-help group comprises 10 members from the community’s weaker sections. Each member commits to regular savings and avails loans to meet diverse financial needs. The group has successfully been credit linked twice, securing a Rs. 200,000 loan, which has spurred several members to launch successful livelihood ventures.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought financial hardships to three members’ families within the group. In response, they utilized loans from the group to start small, income-generating activities at home. The CORD team’s encouragement and support were instrumental in these ventures. Smt. Naresh Kumari and Smt. Praveen Kumari each obtained a Rs. 20,000 loan, investing in dairy farming and beginning to sell surplus milk in their village, earning an average of Rs. 1,800 monthly. Their timely loan repayments support their family’s financial stability.

Smt. Sunaina Devi, another proactive group member, secured a Rs. 40,000 loan to open a small beauty products shop at her home, now earning Rs. 2,500 monthly from this venture. These initiatives have significantly improved their lives, igniting aspirations to expand their businesses further. The group members actively share their experiences, inspiring and encouraging each other to explore various self-employment opportunities. They proudly refer to their self-help group as the “Mini Bank of the Women,” symbolizing strength and collaborative progress.