Success story of Aiswarya Self Help Group, Kumbalam in Vyttila Block Panchayat

Kumbalam was an island in Ernakulam district, surrounded by backwaters of Vembanattu. Now N.H.47 byepass road from Edappally to Aroor passes through Kumbalam and the place got some developments thereby. But most of the inhabitants are still living on fishing ,agriculture,and manual labour.The womenfolk of this area are not at all experienced with any productive works. It was really a challenging attempt to create a self help group[S.H.G.] under S.G.S.Y. from these people and to bring forward them to the mainstream of the society.
Aiswarya S.H.G.,Kumbalam in ward No.11 of Kumbalam Grama Panchayat in Vyttila Block Panchayat was formulated on 29th October 2001 by 11 housewives of the area. Most of the members were poor and strived hard on their daily bread. Smt. K.S. Asha, Lady Village Extension Officer of Vyttila Block Panchayat, who holds in charge of Kumbalam V.E.O. circle, had taken initiative to form Aiswarya S.H.G. and its post-activities.
The group members held meetings every week,collected thrift amount and deposited the same in Union Bank of India,Thevara branch regularly.They got loans from the deposits and refunded it properly.The Block Panchayat authorities assessed the group activities for six months.
After grading, the S.H.G.was given its Revolving Fund of Rs.25000/-[Rs.20000/- loan and Rs.5000/-subsidy] on 30th July 2002 from U.B.I.Thevara. Utilising this amount they started production of soap powder and tailoring works. As they remitted R.F.regularly, second grading held on 10th March 2004 and the group members were trained for rabbit rearing. Consequently, they got Rs.1,10,000/-under S.G.S.Y.for rabbit rearing [Rs.55000/-loan and Rs.55000/-subsidy].They also continued tailoring works and plantain farming along with rabbit rearing.
All these activities are gone smoothly. Now they get a monthly earning from these works and can repay the loan instalments regularly. Now the repayment is almost to be completed.
The bank officials and block panchayat officials have helped them a lot to make their venture a success. Now we can proudly say that Aiswarya SHG, Kumbalam is capable and efficient to carry out any projects of this kind with a fruitful result.

PUNARTHAM S.H. GROUP, NETTOOR NORTH

Pranavam S.H. Group is a joint venture of a group of 15 enthusiastic women members residing near Nettoor Kallth temple in the premises of puthiya madam road in Maradu Grama Panchayat. The group was formed on 7th of June 2002. As per the direction of Block Development Officer an account has been opened in Vijaya Bank, Nettoor for financial transactions of the group. On the 21st November 2005, the 2nd grading of the group was successfuly completed and an amount of Rs. 2 lakhs including Rs.50000/- as subsidy was granted to the group for starting a self employment programme.
Ready made garment making and ornamental fish rearing and selling were the schemes undertaken by the Group. The projects were inaugurated on the 3rd of April 2006. All the 15 members of the group are very active and have equal importance and responsibility in successful implementation of the siad schemes. An important point to be noted is that each member of the group has an average monthly income of Rs.1000 - per month. Further, the timely directions from the part of Block officials and the financial assistances from Vijaya Bank help the group a lot in carrying out the mission they are involved. The success of the group is a result of collective responsibility and dedication of the members.
Maradu Grama Panchayat is one of fast developing panchayat in Kerala. Valanthakadu is an island situate in the south east of this panchayat. In this island, except one or two families all others are belonging to SC community. Maradu Grama Panchayat is one of the most financially developed and is competing with the corporation of Cochin in the development activities. But the inhabitants of Valanthakadu is still in poverty. "Rich becomes richer and the poor becomes poor" the apt economic theory is most practical to the people of valanthakadu. The geographical features seperates Valanthakadu from the fast developing process of the other parts.
The main occupation of this Village people are fishing agriculture, collecting of shells and processing it. Even though they were skilled they couldn't attain the infrastructure due to the lack of money. Country boat and fishing net are the most wanted instruments for their day today occupation. Both the male and female together engaging in the same nature of work.
Meanwhile, some women members of these poor family met the LVEO of their area and requested to help them in any way to grant an aid for purchasing a boat and net. The LVEO together with her higher officials made discussions about the felt need of the people and advised these women to organize an SH Group inorder to avail the maximum assistance for their requirement. As a result the chain of group meetings and discussion they gathered together in a place and formed an SH Group named "Pranavam" on 20th of September 2002. The group members collected together in particular place every week and discussed their problems each other. In the end they decided to collect a tittle amount every week from each member and to start an SB account in the nearest bank branch and to deposit the amount in the account. They recorded their discussion in the minutes register specified for it they started an SB A/c in the Bank of India, Maradu Branch. At the end of December 2002 their savings grown to Rs.3000/- and they began to lend small amounts for a low rate of interest among the members according to their needs. By about March 2003 the savings grown to Rs.10000/-
In April the Bank Manager wanted the LVEO concerned to do the needful for 1st grading of the unit. In the presence the Block, Grama Panchayat members concerned the process of 1st grading completed. Then the group was recommended for Revolving fund assistance. A sum total of Rs.25000/- was granted to the unit as Revolving Fund. Out of this Rs.10000/- being the Government grant and Rs.15000/- being the Bank loan. Utilising this amount they constructed a little workshed for processing the shell and purchased 3 fishing nets and pots. Besides they started a provisional business along with their routine work. Even though the provisional business was entirely different job, they made it a grant success by way of doot to door supply.
On Completion of about one year, with the repeated demand from the the Group members and Officials the group was selected for second grading. The Block Panchayat President, the ward members concerned were present in the gradation meeting. The Manager Bank of India, Maradu Branch appreciated about the day to day activities as well as the bank transactions of the group. During 2004-05 the Pranavam SH Group was selected for SGSY assistance. They were given Rs.145000/- as bank loan and Rs.10000/- as subsidy. Utilising the whole amount they purchased 7 country boats, 10 fishing nets, the required vessels and constructed a work shed. Now the group members are working together and sell their products in open market and finding out for their daily life satisfactorly. They earns about Rs.8000/ per month. They are regularly repaying the loan amount without any difault for a single day. A net earnings about Rs.4000/- per month make their family life very pleasent and happy.
They meet most of the days together and discuss their problems in work as well as family. They are maintaining the required attendace register, day book, cash book and stock register promptly. The LVEO and block officials frequently visitingand giving the necessary instructions
The National Monitor of SGSY scheme Sri. Sreenivasa Ramanujan, IAS (Retd) have recently visited the unit on 23/02/07. He gave a very good appreciation about the activities of unit and recorded it in their minutes book. Besides, he promissed to submit a very pleasing report about the unit as well as the officials to the Government of India at the earliest.

Adarsh SHG – Together We Achieve More.

The Tsunami waves engulfed some portion of Vypin Block, and the costal region suffered a lot. The aftermath of Tsunami and resurgence waved the path for the formation of Adarsh Self Help Group, in this region.
On 02-01-2003, Fifteen ladies from Nayarambalam Grama Panchayat, formed a group - Adarsh - under the proper guidance of the Lady Village Extension Officer, with a mere contribution of Rs.10/= per head. With frequent meetings and small savings, the Group started functioning initially. A Bank account was opened jointly by President & Secretary, at Catholic Syrian Bank, Narakkal.
Their initial ventures were Grocery Shop and fire wood sales, which did not click. Finally they restored to Prawn Peeling, in a shed.
With proper guidance from Block Office, and hard work by members, their first grading was successfully completed on 30-01-2003. A Revolving Fund of Rs.25,000/= was sanctioned by Catholic Syrian Bank, Narakkal, with Rs.10,000/= towards subsidy. Slowly the Group attained the momentum, and the second grading also passed of successfully. As part of expansion, they shifted to a more spacious shed. For catering to their expansion process, the Bank sanctioned a total amount of Rs.2,04,000/=, with 50 % subsidy.
Now the Group is functioning in a permanent Shed, with all utilities of their own. Their present capacity is 300 Kg. of raw prawns per day, with an output of 180 Kg. of meat. Besides their self employment, they also provide employment to 30 non members, of the Locality. The group attained self sufficiency in Bank dealings, and for handling all day-to-day administration, such as maintenance of accounts, convening meetings etc. The loan is being repaid punctually @ Rs.2,500/= per month. All Group members are paid Rs.100/= per day, for their work, and the Group is attaining an average Gross Profit of Rs.37,500/=, anually.
The famous quoting says “Success goes to those who are dare and courageous, it seldem goes to a timid”. Like wise, in the future, they are planning to expand their work shed, to an export oriented level, as part of entering a more competitive market.

Sneham, Vypin Block. from Broom Stick to Bus Service

The story unveils a few years back. During 2003, 14 unemployed males, residing at wards 14 and 15 of Pallipuram Grama Panchayat (One of the seven thickly populated Grama Panchayats under this Block), united themselves with an idea to form a Self Help Group (SHG), by name “Sneham” – which means ‘Love & affection’. On 28-11-03, the Group came into existence, and slowly but steadily, it started to function.
Adolescence
It was a very testing time, with money playing a pivotal role in the market, and that was something they needed very badly. All members started to contribute their thrift of Rs.10/= per week, towards working capital, and the same was deposited in a joint account, opened in the name of President and Secretary, at State Bank of India, Cherai. Soon after, with the effort and support of the then VEO of Cherai Circle, the Group was registered under SGSY, at Vypin Block. The initial product by the Group – “Country broom stick” was launched, and the marketing was inaugurated on 11-4-04, by the Hon. President of Pallipuram Grama Panchayat, Smt.A.S.Aruna. Thus the game was on.
Steady Growth
As part of expansion process, a room was rented, with each member contributing Rs.500/= each, towards it. Meanwhile the initial grading was successfully completed, and Rs.50,000/= was sanctioned towards Revolving Fund. With confidence growing, they launched for marketing, almost 60 locally made items – starting with clay pots to dress materials etc. with a Logo “Buy local products and save our Locality”, which clicked in a big way.
Into the Big League
After the success of these initial activities, the Group members, brimming in confidence of their previous success, proposed an idea of “Private Bus Service”, during the time of second grading. After careful scrutiny and analysis, their idea was approved and supported by the Vypin Block, and the financial proposal was placed before State Bank of India, Cherai, with 10 group members subscribing to it. A total amount of Rs.9,78,000/= was sanctioned by the Bank – with Rs.1,00,000/= as Subsidy, and the rest Loan – with a total repayment period of seven years. Hence, after collecting all the details regarding the Vehicle, a 36 seater Bus was purchased (make: TATA 497) from M/S. Popular Mega Motors (P) Ltd, Ernakulam. The Body was built by M/S.Sree Muruga Auto Centre, N.Paravoor. They were sanctioned a peculiar route “ Ernakulam (High Court Jn.) – Cherai Beach – Paravoor”, and thus their small entrepreneurship found a place in the Tourism Map. They did all these without sacrificing their initial business. Only group members are employed in all their enterprises.
Passing word
Today the Group stands high, among all other establishments in the Panchayat. Their Gross Asset is worth 13 Lakhs, and 14 famalies enjoys the fruit of co-operation and economic security. Their Loan is being repaid promptly, and they are confident to clear all the liabilities within the stipulated period. That is “Sneham” - Raw Talents grouped into a Winning Combination.

Success story of Pushpika SHG

Pushpika SHG was formed in 2003 at Mattakuzhy near national high way NH 49 of Thiruvaniyoor Panchayath with 12 members from very poor family. Two members later shifted from that place and hence left the unit. 3 of its present members belongs to scheduled caste family. Initially the unit concentrated in agriculture, especially Tapioca and banana cultivation and later they started rice sale and soap powder making. During that period they were supported by giving revolving fund of Rs.25000/- from SCB Mamala with this they managed to work for 2 years. Last year they were assisted with SGSY loan for Rs.200000/- with this they are doing, Goat rearing, food processing and agriculture (seasonal vegetables). All the members of the unit are working in a unanimous spirit.
Out of the 10 members of the unit few go for house to house sale while the others are involved in indoor works like setting, measuring, packing, sealing labelling etc. All the members of the unit are getting a monthly income of Rs.1000/- p.m. after repaying the loan amount.

Revi Electricals, Light & sounds a synonym to Success, Vadavucode Block

Revi Electricals Light and sounds is very famous in Vadvucode block; with its perfection. Revi.T.A. Chennamoleth, Poothrikka is a S/C Swarozgari running this unit at Aikaranadu south village in Poothrikka Grama Panchayth. His family that is wife and two children was suffering much to make both ends meet. In that circumstances he started an electrical cum light and sound system under SGSY in 2000 by availing loan amount of Rs. 20390/- and subsidy Rs.5000/- from Federal Bank, Kolenchery.
Due to his sincere dealings and hard work he was able to expand his business day by day. Since the repayment of the loan was very regular, he had been given the second doze of assistance in 2005. Because of the promptness in the repayment of the Swarozgari the Bank was much interested to extend the second assistance. He purchased a generator worth Rs.38000/- and availed subsidy of Rs.5000/-
The second doze of assistance was a turning point in his life and he was succeeded to modify his house and the unit was shifted to his own building. Now he is running the unit with the help of three workers. He is repaying an amount of Rs.750/- every month to the bank and able to generate net income of Rs .5000/- monthly. Now he posses light and sound system, generators, and illumination items worth Rs.300000/-`
Now Revi Electricals light and sound is a synonyms to success.

ASRAYA VANITHA SHG, THAMARAKULAM MUDICKAL, MUDICKAL P.O., VAZHAKULAM BLOCK

The ASRAYA SHG is a homogeneous group and all the members belong to families below poverty line. The first meeting of the group was held on 8th August 2001. The Extention Officer (Women’s Welfare) of Vazhakulam Block presided over the meeting. The Village Extention Officer Mr. Abdul Saleem, L V E O Smt. Beena Rani, Ward Member Sri. Abdul Khadar Kunnathan were also present in the meeting. All of the 15 numbers present in the meeting decided to collect Rs. 10/- as the thrift amount at weekly intervals. The unit has registered under charitable society registration act of 1960 on 7th November 2001(Reg. No. 1161/2001).
They opened an SB Account at SBT Mudickal Branch and invested there thrift amount. They took individual consumer loan from this account and repaired it in time.
The group members have undergone training for the preparation of soap powder and started the production of soap powder and bar soap. But it was not so profitable as the people got the same product in a cheap amount in the market. Thus they stopped the production of soap powder.
The first grading of the group conducted on 16th July 2003 and they received Rs. 25,000/- as Revolving fund. Then they started production of Rice powder in a small scale. Along with this they prepared food products like Avalose pody, Pathiri etc. They received order for more products.
On account of the large demand of the rice powder and other food products, they wanted to expand their business. The group has undergone second grading on 8th August 2006. They submitted a project for agriculture and food processing for an amount of Rs. 2,03,325/- at SBT Mudickal. The project was sanctioned and they got a subsidy of Rs. 94,000/- under SGSY Scheme on 13th December 2006. They expanded their business with this amount. Now they have a sale of 2000 Kg. to 3000 Kg. rice powder in a week. Three members of this group undergone training on food processing at Food Craft Institute, Kalamassery. With the experience from this training, they decided to produce more food products like Jam, Squash etc. They also started Jasmine Cultivation. At first they planted about 250 Jasmine Plants. After six months, now they started to harvest Jasmine. They earned a living from this business.
Their loan repayment is regular and prompt. They repay Rs. 4,400/- per month without any dues till date. The Ward Member and Staff of Vazhakulam Block Office always encourage them. Thus the ASRAYA SHG become a model to other SHG’s in the block.