Amethi, (UP): In 2002 when the concept of self-help groups was introduced with the objective of empowering rural women in four blocks of Amethi, the idea evoked apprehension instead of enthusiasm. Six years down the line, over two lakh women in 50 blocks of 12 districts are active members of self-help groups with savings of nearly rupees five crore and credit worth of Rs 30 crore.

The volume speaks about the success of the concept. A brainchild of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and local MP Rahul Gandhi, SHG's made women in rural parts of UP confident enough to venture out, contribute to the household income, and participate in the decision-making process concerning their families. "SHGs has helped women to gain self-reliance and today its members are not only tackling the problems confidently, but are also finding solutions," manager of Rajiv Gandhi Mahila Vikas Pariyojna, a project launched by Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust, K S Yadav told PTI.

The concept got a major fillip when Sonia and Rahul took some time out of their busy schedule and visited Amethi this week to launch another scheme, "Priyadarshni yojna", sponsored by the Child and welfare department. As new members are enrolling almost everyday, the scheme has evoked response from across the border. "Recently a a team from Bangladesh visited us for a detailed study of the scheme," Yadav said.

Source : PTI