Self-help group opens doors of opportunity for Dharamsala women

What began as a hesitant step out of her village for a self-help group exhibition in New Delhi has today transformed into an inspiring journey of confidence, financial independence and leadership for Seema Rani, a resident of Bagli village near Dharamsala. Seema is a member of the Shiv Shakti Self-Help Group, formed under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), and has emerged as a successful trainer and financial literacy resource person, proving that determination and family support can together break social barriers for rural women.Initially, the biggest challenge for Seema was not learning business skills but earning the trust and support of her family and society. Soon after joining the self-help group in 2018, she got an opportunity to participate in the 10-day Saras Mela at India Gate in New Delhi. With limited confidence but strong determination, Seema, who is educated up to Class XII, travelled to the national capital along with another group member.At the fair, she keenly observed and interacted with women entrepreneurs and self-help groups from across the country, learning the basics of marketing, packaging, customer dealing and product display. The experience became a turning point in her life.“After returning home, I participated in several Saras fairs and gradually mastered the art of selling products made by group members,” she said. “I also learned innovative paper bag-making techniques as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic packaging for food products,” she added.Her dedication and communication skills later earned her a position as a Financial Literacy Community Resource Person (FL-CRP) under the NRLM. She received training at the Rural Self Employment Training Institute at Dharamsala and then started conducting awareness sessions in gram panchayats in various development block, educating self-help groups about financial literacy and economic empowerment.At present, Seema works as a saleswoman at the HIM IRA shop established under the NRLM at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Kangra. Besides, she has carved a niche for herself as a professional trainer in paper packaging and carry bag manufacturing.She is at present serving as Chief Trainer at the Regional Self Employment Training Institute, PNB, Dharamsala, and has trained hundreds of women and senior citizens under various government-supported programmes. She also travels across Kangra district to train self-help groups.Seema’s growing expertise has also strengthened her financial condition. “Today, I have gained not only financial independence but also complete trust and respect of my family,” she said. From struggle to gaining support for stepping outside her village to becoming a decision-maker in the family, her journey reflects the transformative impact of self-help groups and women empowerment initiatives in rural Himachal Pradesh.

Self-help group opens doors of opportunity for Dharamsala women

Naresh Thakur

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