Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, Oct 17: The Rs 2,000 received every month may not seem like a huge amount. However, when saved consistently for three years instead of being spent, it became the foundation of a dream. For Shakuntala of Mavinkatte in Maninalkur village, the Karnataka government's Gruha Lakshmi scheme became a stepping stone towards self-reliance.
Shakuntala, who works as an anganwadi worker, saved Rs 72,000 from the money she received under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme over the past three years. With the dream of starting her own business, she invested the savings along with additional money saved by her family to establish ‘Sri Durga Gruhalakshmi Textiles & Garments’ at a total cost of Rs 2.50 lac. The shop is equipped with two tailoring machines.
The shop was inaugurated on Thursday in connection with the Navaratri festival. Shakuntala's initiative of transforming the money received under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme into an investment rather than using it solely for daily expenses has drawn attention as an example of women's self-reliance.
Bantwal taluk Five Guarantees Implementation Committee president Jayanti V Poojary, Child Development Project Officer Mamtaaz and district committee vice-president Narayana Naik visited the shop and congratulated Shakuntala on her achievement.
“Shakuntala's achievement is an inspiration to other women and serves as a motivating example of women's self-reliance,” said Jayanti V Poojary.
Shakuntala lives with her husband Jayananda, who works as a driver, and their two sons, who are students. Through her own business venture, she has opened up an additional source of income for her family.
Over three years, Shakuntala accumulated savings of Rs 72,000 from the monthly assistance of Rs 2,000 provided under the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. By combining these savings with the family's contributions, she invested Rs 2.50 lac in setting up the textile and garment shop. For Shakuntala, the Gruha Lakshmi funds have thus become more than financial assistance; they have marked the first step towards economic independence.