Shanti Dugg, a resident of village Kurushanara in the development block Ortacha, Narayanpur district, has become a powerful symbol of rural self‑reliance. As an active member of the Roshni Self‑Help Group and affiliated with the Pratibha Gram Organisation, she has not only strengthened her family’s economic situation through Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai’s Bihar plan but also set an inspiring example for other women. Shanti joined the self‑help group on 19 August 2019. Before that, her family’s livelihood depended on agricultural work and forest product collection, which limited their income. After joining the group, she started regular savings. The government provided the group with a ₹15,000 revolving fund and ₹60,000 community investment fund, which helped develop financial discipline and an understanding of mutual transactions. Through bank linkage, Shanti took a loan of ₹1 lakh for the first time and started a grocery shop. After the business succeeded, she took a loan of ₹2 lakh 70 thousand and started a garment business. To expand the market‑hawat operations, she also bought a pickup vehicle. With regular income, she paid the loan installments and interest on time. With growing business and confidence, Shanti took a loan of ₹6 lakh to buy a tractor in the third stage. Today her family’s annual income has reached 4 to 5 lakh rupees, significantly improving their standard of living. Shanti says that the Bihar plan gave her the opportunity to become self‑reliant. Today she provides good education and better health facilities to her children. Her success story proves that with proper guidance and the support of government schemes, rural women can also establish a new example of economic empowerment.
