Buxar: Once struggling to make ends meet through farming alone, Indravati Devi of Jagdispur village in Buxar, has built a cluster of small businesses with the help of Self-Help Groups (SHG) loans and now earns nearly Rs 45,000 a month while employing two people in her village.A turning point came when she joined Jeevika and became a member of an SHG. Through the group, she gained access to savings, credit and livelihood opportunities.Using her first bank loan of Rs 30,000, Indravati purchased a buffalo and started selling milk. The additional income helped her support the family and repay the loan on time. “Earlier, we depended mainly on agriculture. Whatever we earned was barely enough to run the family. After joining Jeevika, I got the courage and financial support to start a new livelihood,” she said.After repaying the first loan, she secured a second loan of Rs 80,000 and expanded her income-generating activities. Encouraged by the success, she later availed a bank loan of Rs 1.5 lakh under the Lakhpati Yojana.The funds were invested in an oil extraction machine and a flour mill, while support under the scheme also enabled her to purchase a sewing machine.Today, Indravati earns around Rs 45,000 a month from multiple livelihood ventures, reducing her family’s dependence on agriculture and improving its financial stability. Her enterprise has also created jobs for two villagers.“Today, I am able to earn for my family and also provide work to others. What started with one buffalo has grown into several livelihood activities. I want other women to take advantage of SHGs and the opportunities available through Jeevika,” she said.
