Over 1600 women conducted a Self Help Group Meet which saw the detailed discussion of the strategies to be implemented in order to successfully operate these Self Help Groups.

Volunteers from the Women Self Help Group, run by Vedanta Hindustan Zinc congregated at the auditorium of Sukhadia University on 22 May and had bottomless and thoughtful discussion on changing stipulation of rural, social and economical aspects. The volunteers who had participated in the discussion had come from the districts of Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and Rajsamand.

Priya Agrawal, daughter of Anil Agrawal, Chairman Vedanta-Hindustan Zinc was the chief guest at the program. Other eminent women personalities present at the event included Additional Director for Women and Child Development, Rajasthan Government Dr. Mukta Arora, Program Director for SHG Resource and Training Centre Sarla Mehta, Assistant Professor at IIM Udaipur Sandhya Bhatia, Chief Director at I.C.D.S Anshu Bhatnagar, COSV Alka Sharma, President of Vishwas Sansthan Praveena Trivedi, S. Chamundi from Vedanta as well as Anupama Singhal and Seema Nijawan from Hindustan Zinc.

Dr. C.P Kumbhat from Action for Community Empowerment had also expressed his views at the meet on the effects of social works that have been executed by the Rajasthan Government and Vedanta Hindustan Zinc in various rural areas.

Dr. Mukta Arora had explained the method and the advantages of utilizing government aid as well as bank association with SHG for its development.

Sarla Mehta had talked about the positive changes noticed in Rajasthan because of SHG; she also mentioned the significance of the knowledge of computers in strengthening the objectives of SHG.

Neelam Sokhi, one of the members of Debari SHG, said that due to the positive impact of Vedanta Hindustan Zinc, a significant boost has been observed in SHG in villages. Initially, it had been difficult to convince families to join SHG but now, the conditions are changed and women are starting to gain support from their family members.

Ward-Panch of Ganeshpura, Chanchal Parikh said that the monthly earnings of women have increased too; some of them are now earning up to Rs.7000 per month. Prem Devi from Zavar is amazed at the increase in literacy rates; she is promoting it further in rural areas. The same can be said about Tulsi Devi from Matun, who joined SHG and created her own identity in the family.

Increasing literacy among women will thrust them into the education sector as well as helping them to take decisions on their own. Women are bearing their house expenses by operating cottage industries from their home. They continue to make their own SHGs and associate them with banks, which provide them with loans at low interest rates.

SHG women have also exhibited their products with the help of Vishwas Sansthan, Action for Community Empowerment and Kosv, where they have depicted handmade products like bags, ladies suits, Sari, Bed Linen, and Idols made of Terracotta as well as having showcased imitation jewelry.

Priya Agrawal visited Anganwadi centres and projects for agriculture development which are run by Vedanta Hindustan Zinc at Zawar. There are 1500 Anganwadi centers adopted by Vedanta-Hindustan Zinc by Rajasthan Government and which are doing commendable work in agriculture and farming sectors with the association of Boif Organization. Priya Agrawal also met child artist Binno at Zawar, who has played the leading role in the Vedanta Group’s film based on underprivileged children. Vedanta has also taken responsibility of Binno’s health and her complete education.

Hindustan Zinc is continuously working with state government on several important projects of health, education, farming and agriculture. The company has also done a remarkable job in providing technical training to the rural youth.