Government of India
Chitrakala Devi
State : Madhya Pradesh
District: Chhindwara
Block: Sausar
Village: Ghoti
Group Name: Maa Chamunda Ajeevika Group
Livelihoods Activities : Making of incense sticks ( Agarbatti)
Lakhpati Didi Journey
Chitrakala Devi, a resident of Ghoti village, Sausar block, Chhindwara district, has studied up to the higher secondary level. However, due to poverty, her confidence was low, and she was afraid to step outside her home.
She joined the Maa Chamunda Ajeevika Group. Initially, she was not active in the group. Mission staff encouraged her and provided training, which boosted her confidence.
Some time Later, She was elected as the group president. She took a loan of Rs. 10,000/- to buy a sewing machine form the Self Help group and started earning Rs. 5,000/- to Rs. 6,000/- monthly. She repaid the loan with interest.
Seeing her increasing activeness, she was chosen by the cluster organization as an active woman of the village. She became a community resource person for organic farming and conducted a 55-day internal CRP round in Uttar Pradesh, training 320 women in organic farming, earning Rs. 75,000/- from this effort.
She now earns approximately Rs. 1,50,000/- annually from sewing and training. Her family is now respected, and she actively participates in social activities.
