KATHUA, FEBRUARY 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Keerti Sharma, a beneficiary of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) from Kathua , during his visit to Jammu today.
Keerti Sharma, a resilient leader of a Self Help Group (SHG) from Basohli, shared her inspiring success story with the Prime Minister, highlighting her journey towards empowerment and financial independence.
Keerti Sharma was one of the beneficiaries who had the opportunity to engage in a healthy interaction with the Prime Minister. The PM commended Keerti Sharma for her efforts and dedication in empowering local women and her dedication to the cause. Keerti Sharma shared that after joining the SHG she felt a sense of identity and purpose.
When asked about the number of members she had taken along on her transformative journey, Keerti Sharma mentioned that she was supported by her 08 fellow members.
Through continuous interventions and inclusive meetings at the cluster level, Keerti Sharma and her SHG have slowly begun to understand the objectives of the UMEED Mission. Over time, Keerti Sharma provided assistance to mobilizers of those households who had already left, successfully bringing them into the mission (UMEED) first. Her dedication and mission promotion among women has earned her recognition as an active member.
In addition to her active participation in community mobilization, Keerti Sharma’s involvement is even more effective, as she has established contacts with other major departments, which have helped women’s self-help groups (SHGs), reach various schemes and benefits.
In 2019, Keerti Sharma first took a loan of Rs 1 Lac from the village organization (VO) with the intention of fulfilling the needs of her family and bought a cow. Recognizing the potential for expansion, Keerti Sharma gradually increased her Diary capacity and included more cows in the business, involving other SHG members.
With financial support from SHGs, VOs, Community Livelihood Fund (CLF), and Bank Linkages, Keerti Sharma successfully established a dairy unit with six cows, becoming a major source of income for herself and other women.
Keerti Sharma’s dedication to empowering women in the community makes her a “Pashu Sakhi,” where she has ensured insurance and vaccination for members’ animals, and encouraged most members to take advantage of the IDDS scheme, resulting in the establishment of more than 20 small dairy units.
During the interaction, Kirti Sharma expressed her gratitude for the government schemes that have helped her and many others like her achieve financial stability and independence. She promised to join Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to create 3 crore ‘Lakhpati Didi’ among Self-Help Groups, emphasizing her commitment to empowering women and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
Keerti Sharma has made a significant contribution to the empowerment of women, economically securing them and their communities. She is receiving benefits under the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme under the Golden Card and is also a holder of a BPL ration card. She is receiving benefits under the Prime Minister’s Ujjwala Yojana for free gas connection, farmer credit card, farmer honor, and under IHHL.
Kirti Sharma’s inspiring story and her promise to support the Prime Minister’s vision showcase the transformative impact of government schemes like the NRLM in empowering women and uplifting communities.