Raipur. The Chhattisgarh government's Bihan (Chhattisgarh State Rural Livelihood Mission) scheme is playing a vital role in empowering rural women to become self-reliant. By joining this scheme, Mrs. Ratna Majumdar, a resident of Digma Gram Panchayat in the Ambikapur development block of Surguja district, has become an inspiration to hundreds of women. Through her hard work and government support, she has not only strengthened her family's financial situation but has also established herself as a successful female entrepreneur
Ratna Majumdar explains that her father-in-law already cultivated flowers on a small scale. After joining the Maa Mahamaya Self-Help Group, she decided to turn this traditional work into a business. Through the group, she first obtained a loan of one lakh rupees and began cultivating flowers using modern technology on one acre of land. Through her hard work and dedication, she is now successfully growing flowers on two acres. 

Modern
technology has increased production capacity.
Ratna has adopted modern and scientific methods in farming. She imports high-quality plants from Kolkata, which begin flowering in just 24 days and produce continuously for approximately three months. Drip irrigation is used in the fields, which conserves water and provides adequate nutrition to the plants. Currently, she grows three main varieties of marigold flowers: red, orange, and yellow. She also cultivates cherries during the winter season. According to Ratna, the demand for flowers increases significantly during
festivals
like Navratri, Shivratri, Ramnavami, and Diwali, resulting in good prices. Despite low prices during normal times, scientific farming ensures year-round profits. She repaid the loan she took from the group on time and is now investing her income in expanding her farming.
Government schemes pave the way for self-reliance.
Ratna Majumdar attributes her success to the public welfare schemes of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She says that joining the Bihan Yojana has provided rural women with an opportunity for economic empowerment. The government's loans and guidance have given them a new identity. Through the Bihan Yojana, a new story of economic transformation is being written in rural areas. Self-reliant women like Ratna Majumdar are playing a crucial role in building a developed Chhattisgarh.