AISWARYA SHG AYAVANA, MUVATTUPUZHA BLOCK PANCHAYAT

‘Ambattucolony’ is a neighborhood preponderated by poor coolie workers. This locality is a part of 12th ward of Ayavana Grama Panchayat in Ernakulam District. There are twenty families residing here in dilapidated hutments facing acute shortage of potable water coupled with problems like un motorable roads and the irk. The women of these houses were unemployed even as they lived in penury. It was at this juncture that the SGSY scheme reached their households.
In January 2001 the VEO met the residents of this area and sensitized the people about the need for floating a Self Help Group and the benefits they would receive as part of this scheme. At first none volunteered. But the persistent coercion and encouragement from the VEO made them confident. Thus 12 women from the BPL families formed a Self Help Group christened Aiswarya SHG and elected Geetha Biju as its Secretary and K.A.Raji Mol as its President. The group then obtained its registration and started functioning. They also opened a thrift and credit account at State Bank of India, Ayavana Branch.
Till date the group has an account balance of Rs.55,000/- and it could lend a mutual loan of Rs.48,000/-. Besides it could give Rs.13,000/- as treatment aid for the group members and Rs.2500/- as donation of 2 persons outside the group. In October 2001 the group secured 130 marks out of 150 in the first grading conducted. Consequently the group received Rs.25,000/- as revolving fund and it was utilized for Pineapple cultivation. Though Pineapple farming proved profitable, the difficulty in obtaining land for the same forced the members to think about some new venture. Many members opined that note book production would be a nice choice; given the fact that such a unit was not there in the locality or in the vicinity. Accordingly, group members Sindhu K.N. and Mary Jose were nominated to undergo training to learn the know-how. Thereafter a book binding unit was opened utilizing the revolving fund and the loan availed from the savings. In the just gone by financial year, this unit was able to sell off note books worth Rs.50,000/-. Features of these note books like good quality paper, manual binding, attractive cover and low cost etc., created a good demand for them. The group decided to retain the unit as it could sell off all the books produced and more importantly it could secure good orders for next year. The group decided to open a DTP and a Photostat Centre combined with Stationery so as to ensure employment for every group member.
In July 2006, 2nd grading was conducted and the group vowed to implement the decisions they took. On the anvil of the group is a project worth Rs.36,700/- ;that is to open up a Stationery-DTP-Photostat outlet and a Book Binding Unit at SGSY Sales Outlet, Ayavana. Through this, the group expects employment and income for every group members and there by better standard of life and happiness in their lives. For this, the group is fortunate to receive the support and co-operation from the Bank Manger, BDO and VEO.
A group of women, who used to spoil their time blaming their pitiful life standards and backbiting, are now a happy lot. Now they can boast of running a firm, and earning an income. One can see their beaming faces, radiating happiness and pride. And of course, a thousand bouquets of gratitude to the government, Block Officers, Bank Manager and the VEO. The successful journey of the Group continues, hopeful of the support and co-operation from all in the times to come by.