In the villages of Latehar, Jharkhand, ordinary women have ignited a quiet revolution by transforming routine income activities into engines of self-reliance and future hope. Their stories, stitched together by ingenuity, hard work, and unwavering determination, offer a living testament to the impact of grassroots interventions.
Take Pramila Devi, whose belief in self-esteem steered her away from the comfort of group borrowing. When VEDIC Society launched goat support under the KKS Project, she took the risk of borrowing from her parents, not her SHG—driven by a dream to marry her daughter purely from her own earnings. Today, her self-groomed flock of 7 goats is more than an asset—it’s a symbol of independence for resource-poor families, showing that even minimal support, when coupled with vision, can create lasting change.
Similarly, Harilal of Bichan Tola, once trapped in wage labour, found a way out through capacity building. Supported with solar light, vegetable calendars, and organic training, his family moved from seasonal struggles to producing ₹15,000 worth of organic vegetables on just 50 decimals of land, earning recognition as lead farmers. With goats and a good plantation, his household is now a beacon of sustainable agriculture in the locality.
Stitching together planning and active participation, Asha Lakra of Baridih grew her goat herd from 2 to 7, supporting her family with sales proceeds exceeding ₹10,000. Armed with solar lights, fruit saplings, and regular training, she transformed her efforts into tangible gains—earning over ₹25,000 from organic vegetable sales in local markets while maintaining an outstanding plant survival rate.
Munuwa Devi’s journey from dependency to asset creation stands out for her tenacity. Given 3 pigs and rigorous RSETI Ranchi training, she now has a healthy family of 10 pigs valued at over ₹20,000. For Munuwa, livestock is not just income—it’s a permanent safety net, with piglets seen as “ATM cards” for emergencies.
Widowed and determined, Sukarmani Devi of Hutar leads Mahua SHG as secretary, expertly turning a ₹9,000 investment into a thriving pig farm of 12 animals. Her support network, built with monthly meetings and peer learning, helps her and others see livestock not only as a source of income but also as reliable financial security.
Rising against adversity, Punita Devi of Sukri village cared for her growing herd of goats, leveraging training to earn ₹28,000 and using past sales to fund her husband’s medical care. With renewed confidence, she now dreams of securing her children’s future through education and consistent income.
Finally, Inderkali Devi, president of Surajmukhi Women SHG, turned forest dependency into structured savings and entrepreneurship. With a robust group corpus and inter-loan support, she expanded her goat herd and insured her animals, aiming for a farm of 20 or more goats.
Together, these women and families prove that when given room to innovate—and with access to training, assets, and group solidarity—they can shift their lives from mere survival to hopeful growth. Their leadership is not confined to their own homes; it spreads knowledge, support, and aspiration through Self Help Groups and local initiatives, showing others the pathway to a brighter future. In Latehar, it’s clear: a well-planned boost, active effort, and community connection turn modest interventions into powerful engines of change.