Government of India
Anju Kumari
State : Bihar
District : Arwal
Block : Kaler
Village : Madrana
Self Help Group : Jagdamba Self-Help Group
Livelihood Activities : Banking Correspondence (Bank Sakhi)
Lakhpati Didi Journey
Anju Kumari has been an active member of the Jagdamba Jeevika Self-Help Group. She has diligently participated in the group’s weekly meetings. She was selected by the Kaveri Jeevika Mahila Gram Organization to manage a Customer Service Center (CSC) for the Dakshin Bihar Gramin Bank. She received three days of residential training from the Jeevika project, which covered essential banking services such as opening bank accounts, handling deposits and withdrawals via Aadhaar, and providing insurance services. After the training, the Jagdamba Jeevika Mahila Organization provided her with Rs. 75,000 to establish the CSC, comprising a loan of Rs. 50,000 and a grant of Rs. 25,000 for operating expenses.
The opening of the CSC made banking services easily accessible for the villagers, including Jeevika members and other locals. Customers can now effortlessly conduct transactions using their Aadhaar, leading to a significant increase in the number of clients. Doing all these activities, her monthly income of around Rs. 15,000 to 20,000.
She says that by joining the Jeevika project, she has not only achieved financial stability but also gained a distinct identity in her village as a Bank Sakhi. Her story is a testament to the trans-formative power of determination, education, and community support.
