o Rural women's self-reliance is taking a new flight under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai
o An inspiring journey from a wage-dependent family to a successful entrepreneur, earning approximately Rs 1.5 lakh annually
o Training, financial support and guidance from Bihan have boosted self-reliance, respect and self-confidence

Raigarh. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is continuously making effective efforts to empower rural women economically and make them self-reliant. The state government's priority is that rural women not only benefit from schemes, but also strengthen their families' economic condition through self-employment and establish a new identity in society. The National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) has emerged as a powerful medium to realize this vision. The success story of Pushpa Saav of Kurmapali village in Raigarh district is an inspiring example of this transformative campaign.

Until a few years ago, Pushpa Saav's family was entirely dependent on daily wage labor. Despite hard work throughout the day, the income wasn't enough to comfortably meet the family's needs. Her children's education, family support, and worries about the future had become a constant part of her life. With limited resources, her dream of a better life seemed elusive.

During this time, she learned about the National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) through the village panchayat. She joined the Sanskar Self-Help Group and began regular savings. Through the group, she received training, Community Investment Fund (CIF), and financial support from the bank. This support proved to be a strong foundation for change in her life.

Taking advantage of the state government's policy, led by Chief Minister Sai, to promote rural women's self-employment, Pushpa Saw began mushroom production at her home with a grant of 10,000 rupees from CIF. Using the techniques learned in the training, she focused on quality production. Demand for her product rapidly increased in the local market, boosting her confidence.

Seeing the growing potential in her business, she expanded her mushroom production with an additional investment of approximately 70,000 rupees. Today, she earns approximately 1.5 lakh rupees annually through mushroom production. This income has not only strengthened her family's financial situation, but has also made it possible to better educate her children, meet household needs, and save for the future. The inclusion of mushrooms in her family's diet has also positively improved their nutritional status.

Pushpa Saw says that if she hadn't received Bihan's guidance and support, her family would likely still be dependent on manual labor. Today, she runs her business with dignity and inspires other women in the village to pursue self-employment. She believes that proper training, benefits from government programs, and consistent hard work can bring positive change to anyone's life.

The National Rural Livelihood Mission (Bihan) has become a strong foundation for economic empowerment for millions of rural women in the state. Through self-help groups, women are provided with financial assistance, skills development, entrepreneurship training, and marketing opportunities, enabling them to become self-reliant and play a vital role in the development of their families and society.

Under the leadership of CM Sai, the Chhattisgarh government aims to empower women not only as beneficiaries of schemes but also as self-reliant entrepreneurs. Pushpa Sao's success is a powerful testament to the fact that visionary government policies, effective implementation of Bihan, and the hard work of women are jointly strengthening the rural economy. This inspiring story demonstrates that the combination of opportunity, training, and determination can create a new chapter of prosperity and respect in any family's life.