Jeevika, the Rural Development Department of Bihar, hosted a debriefing session at the Patna Secretariat, welcoming a delegation from Sri Lanka and the Asian Development Bank as part of an Immersion and Learning Exchange (ILE) program. Mrs. Abhilasha Kumari Sharma, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika, began the session with a welcome address. Mr. Himanshu Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of Jeevika, provided an overview of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, its objectives, and the extensive poverty alleviation efforts underway in Bihar.
The delegation, comprising 28 members, visited Gaya district to observe the implementation of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, which focuses on assisting the most vulnerable populations. They examined the livelihood initiatives adopted by beneficiaries, gaining valuable insights. H.T.R.N. Piyasena, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment, Sri Lanka, commended the scheme’s effective execution and ground-level impact. He also acknowledged Jeevika’s role in facilitating the study tour.
Piyasena highlighted the key features of the scheme and shared learnings relevant to poverty reduction efforts in Sri Lanka. He also discussed similar initiatives by the Sri Lankan government. Lokesh Kumar Singh, Secretary, Rural Development Department, Bihar, emphasized the transformative impact of the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme on the lives of countless poor families. He expressed pride in Sri Lanka’s interest in the model, anticipating stronger cooperation and contributions to global poverty alleviation.
Pratyaya Amrit, Development Commissioner, Bihar, welcomed the delegation and underscored the cultural similarities between Sri Lanka and Bihar. He praised Jeevika’s work in empowering marginalized communities, emphasizing the model’s foundation in women’s collective action, transparency, and participation. This collaboration, he stated, presented an opportunity to showcase local innovations worldwide, suggesting that Sri Lankan community professionals could also observe Bihar’s methods.
Amrit Lal Meena, Chief Secretary of Bihar, discussed the “Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme,” launched in 2018 to uplift extremely poor families, which has benefited 2.1 lakh families in the state. He highlighted the scheme’s recognition at both national and international levels. Furthermore, he mentioned the recent formation of the Jeevika Nidhi, a cooperative union created to support women’s self-help groups.
The recent inauguration of the Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa in Vaishali was also mentioned as a symbol of shared cultural heritage. Rajesh Kumar, Special Officer, Jeevika, concluded the session by extending gratitude, emphasizing how the Sustainable Livelihoods Scheme, mirroring the historical connections between the two nations, would unite them in the fight against poverty, fostering mutual learning and cooperation in implementation.