By-Resham Singh, Manager, Punjab Gramin Bank :Centuries passed the different thoughts applied to eradicate poverty from the earth planet. The ages old books speaks about the powerful strategies adopted by the forefathers, the religious gurus to weed out the unwanted institution of poverty.
They preached to preserve and maintain human life. Poverty means DEATH. This particular hell had its own circles like living a miserable life, finding a few hours of work here and there, a temporary shelter, no privacy, born and brought up on the road. I would just tell my personal story regarding elevation of poverty through installation of farmer’s club and formation of self help group of disadvantage people in the command area of my branch where I was posted as Officer Incharge. Large numbers of people were living a life of misery of extreme poverty, arranging meal of family on the mercy of big landlords, capitalists and money lenders. Bonded labour, bank default, death was a threat, illiteracy, superstition, ignorance, narrow setting, crowded houses, and no privacy, hunger, malnutrition, and its related diseases were the major symptoms.
In mid 2000 I took the path to locate ways and means to combat poverty and I succeeded to launch a farmers club with the assistance of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development ( NABARD ), in the branch where I was posted as a Manager. The people engaged in agriculture, landless agriculturists, professionals, and allied activists were made members. I was of the confirmed opinion that the farmers club will play a role as guardian better than the various agencies to look after the interest of the members The farmers were made aware of the latest credit facilities, modern techniques of farming, adopting allied activities, forming joint liability groups, forming groups of the disadvantage people. With the assistance of the Chief Volunteer of the Farmers Club, the community development program was launched with the sponsorship of Polytechnic Institute Ropar, Punjab, to provide free of cost six months substantial training in small number in batches. About 200 young boys and girls were trained to repair electrical appliances and cutting tailoring respectively. The trainees were awarded the pass certificates duly signed by the Principal Government Polytechnic, Ropar Punjab. The basic idea was to create employment opportunities for the poor section of society, to keep the street boys away from the social evils, to bring close to the financial activities of the bank and close to each other in connection with formation of self help groups. The meet and match programs were organized to made the people aware about their present insecurity of life as comparison with rich and their life style. They were persuaded to form into groups to depend upon each others resources.
They were motivated with strong communication skill to save, have a bank account, be a member of SHG to avail the facility of overdraft limit to repay the loan of money lenders taken at the rate of 60 to 72 % that too on pledge of ornaments etc, to adopt some dignified work to their livelihood and to pay at least the tuition fee of their children. They were educated to send their children to schools in early hours. They were educated to keep away from diseases, narrow setting, malnutrition, moves away from bonded labour and drug etc. About 46self help groups were formed covering more than 600 families in the command area. The State Level Bankers Committee of Punjab Haryana Chandigarh along with Dr Kshama Matre from Chinmay Tapovan Trust Dharamshala HP visited the branch and interacted with the SHG members and they reacted “our financial crises is over, now we are free from the yoke of money lenders and free from the bonded labour. Our morale is high “.
The two landless groups made out one was Sahibzada Zorawar Singh SHG that purchased tractor, trolley and ripper and earned thousand of rupees. The second one was Dr Ambedkar SHG; the landless members took eight acres of land on lease bases and earned lacs of rupees. HE the then Governor of Punjab visited the branch and interacted with the members of the SHG and Farmers Club. The media declared it as historical event. The entire area was brought under the umbrella of micro finance. A revolutionary changed was noticed amongst the members of self help group and farmers club.
Bank’s position before After farmers club
Farmers Club
Deposit 110 lacs 241 lacs
Advances 37 lacs 266 lacs
NPA 10 lacs 3 lacs
Kisan cards 29 225
SHGs nil 42 groups
.
It is the collective task to liberate the people from the yoke of money lenders. In SHG people learn attitude, skills, knowledge associated with good management, their eyes light up, voices sing with emotions, smiles appear on faces, boost self respect, and self esteem. SHG provide direction, support the poor, and fully utilize the talent, honesty, positive attitude, knowledge to product and services, extraordinary values, scientific knowledge, restore hope, show a way for people to contribute, to meet high expectations. In SHG every day is opening day, health care, education, entertainment, and work and community service. It gives guidance and wisdom. People want to live meaningful lives. In SHG, celebrations and rituals when done from heart build a strong sense of collective identity.
Members always use the words such as associate, team members, partners, or constituents. Members are self aware and socially aware; they always encourage greater team spirit, respect for others, and contribute to profitability.
In 2006 when I was posted as Officer Incharge, Branch Office, Sahauran tehsil Kharar District SAS Nagar Mohali Punjab, there were only 6 SHG and now there are 53 SHGs covering more than 600 poorest of the poor families. People have showed the society how to be self reliant. A SHG named SAHAURAN self help group has taken the six acres of agriculture land on lease base for Rs 60000/-pa. The thirteen young boys group is now engaged in producing vegetables and other crops to earn their livelihood and to repay the limit of Rs 80000/- allowed by the bank to these poor members. Prior to formation of group these young boys were daily wage workers. In addition many have state their own ventures to step further towards wealth. In the Tribune dated 25th, June 2008 the paper has given the detailed report of the changes occurred in the life style of the poor and disadvantages people. I have a dream that one day poor people will rise up and live a life of dignity and honour.
new india north east mother india skill grand associate of india
Dear sir / madam,
Farmers in many parts of the world are depending / using lift irrigation schemes
for cultivation purposes. that is farming needs. I request you to convey my message and technology
to the concerned farmers. Farmers and others can save funds spent on
electricity related activities. my message is as follows.
I have a new technology. it is called lift irrigation with out electricity /
any power in puts / pneumatic or hydralic rams. This technology is most suitable for small lift
irrigation schemes, it can be developed scientically for medium and large
lift irrigation schemes also. The farmers are requested to do structural
/civil masonry construction. (or pre-fabricated huge tanks can be installed
to save time for construction). In my technology, the out-flow water speed
and quantity will be equal to the in- flow speed and quantity of the
original river /stream / water source. For stagnant water sources the cost
of construction or pre-fabrication will be more. The out-put quantity of
water will also be be lesser. In my technology, you please calculate the
quantity of water out- flow. Is it enough for irrigation for farmers ?.
If that is not enough, the farmers can store the required quantity of water
during nights in one upper level check-dam and use it during days. or if
the river speed and the proportionate quantity of water is enough for
farming needs, farmers can utilise the water out-put directly with out
storing in checkdams.
They will be able to save costs spent on electrical equipments , labour
,monthly power bills and other expenditures. They will get non-stop water
subject to leakages , structural problems only and if water is available in
the original source. poor farmers can’t afford for electrical equipments,
monthly power bills etc.you please inform me the abovesaid parametres and
quantity of water will be useful for the farmers of world or not. please
consult the structural/ civil engineering department faculties and inform me
soon.This system will earn CARBON-CREDITS FROM DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. This
system will get environment related AWARDS also. I request you to get me
consultancy fees . you imagine the funds saved on several capital
expenditures and recurring expenses. I expect only acceptable consultancy
fees after discussions. i need one agreement / undertaking before disclosing my
technology.
There are many lift irrigation schemes defunct because of non-payment of
electricity bills particularly (570 LIS) in Andhra Pradesh, india. naandi
foundation is reviving them. there are 2 lift irrigation schemes at pugalur
near karur, T.N. india
you please inform me the takers for my technology . please help me at the
earliest. please send e-mail.
you please forward this message to the concerned farmes.
please consider my message positively and respond as early as possible.
my contacts : sripadhan.R., nisarga enterprises, # 2496, kodigehally main
Road, opp to sterling park flats, sahakarnagar p.o.,
Bangalore-560092. INDIA. fax : 91 – 80 – 41735294 (11a.m. to 8p.m. IST)
cell: 91-9731441878 (10p.m.to7 a.m.IST)e-mail : sramarao12@gmail.com
Thank you
sripaadhan.R
it is said there is shortcut to success, but the concept ofSel Help Groups and Farmers Clubs as described and practicised by Sh. Resham Singh is without any dought is shortcut to success. Within very short period SHGs and Kissan Clubs can work wonders. The fire of poverty eradication i.e burning within Mr. Singh should spread every where so that teeming millions of India can live with dignity and fearlessness. I salute Mr. Singh for his extraordinary efforts and success.
“Journey from poverty to Wealth”depicts how Sh Resham Singh transformed the lives of the poor peoples from povertry,Malnutrition & illitracy to persons living healthy life & having enough to eat. The work done by Mr. Singh was not easy but i think his sheer readiness to accept all chalanges to remove poverty has done his work.Once Mr. Jhon B. Gough said ” If you want to succeed, you must make your own oppertunities”. Mr. Singh is following the views of Mr. Gough and is progressing in his chosen path ” removal of poverty”. The greatest curse on earth “poverty” can be eradicated if we all work with zeal 7 dedication like Mr. Singh. A chinese proverb said “Blame yourself if you have no branches or leaves;don’t accuse the SUN of partiality.
Well done Mr. Singh
If the vision of Mr. Singh in ‘Journey from Poverty to Wealth’ is adopted in India there is no reason that the poverty is not elevated.
No doubt Mr. Resham Singh is doing a yeoman’s job towards the empowerment of poor, weaker sector & women, but still the sustainability of SHGs, formed and credit linked in the area is susceptible due to number of factors like lack of good leadership/ NGOs responsible for the nurturing of after formation groups/ lack of managerial skills necessary for the proper utilisation of group resources to the last resort, medicore quality of SHG products hard to be marketed and most important fear of disintegration of groups after availment of loan and recovery thereof. In my personal views, Mr. Singh should also explore the idea of formation of federation type of forum for SHGs mainly to address their common problems on democratic lines to make this movement more effective, linking each and every household who don’t have access to formal financial services towards the achievement of greater Financial Inclusion.
Work done for self help group and farmer’s club by Shri Resham Singh in branches of Punjab Gramin Bank is applaudable . Even due to burden of so many pressures on a branch manager he has taken the idea of SHG and Kissan club for the help of poor people and organise them through SHG to fulfill their daily needs and betterment of their livelihood . He has devoted so much time to educate the poor people for elevation of povetry in the rural areas .
Mr. Resham Singh is a creative mind and always try to develop new things not only for the development of the bank but also for upliftment of rural poverty. The “journey from poverty to wealth” is a remarkable idea and needs appreciation from all the sections of the society.
Vision of Mr, RESHAM SINGH for creation of wealth by poor people through microfinance is applaudable.
He has shown how people of lesser means can make themselves wealthy by organisnging them in SHGs
and taking up economic activities .All institutions/ organisations, Govt./Non Govt. working in eradication of
poverty should coordinate with people like Mr Resham singh.
If the vision of Mr. Singh in ‘Journey from Poverty to Wealth’ is adopted in India there is no reason that poverty is elevated.
Shri Resham singh jee, should ba pplauded for his work and he has removed the notion that Punjab does not need SHG so much poverty near Chandigarh gives indication of grim situation certainly he has created first line bankers
with regards,
umesh
Individuals like Shri Resham Singh are indeed beacon of hope to many whom they are directly in touch with. Microfinance and the Self-Help Group route has been well established as one of the most effective ways of ensuring ‘INCLUSIVE GROWTH’. People like Shri Resham Singh must be taken up as role models by all the agencies who have poverty alleviation and upliftment as their agenda. These include the government as well as non-government bodies who should form local consultative groups as trainers on microfinance and SHG formation. Well done, sir. You are indeed an inspiritation.
removal of poverty through self help group is a good idea.
The journey of poor people from poverty to wealth under the guidance of Mr. Resham Singh is a remarkable work and deserves immediate attention of all of us to be adopted in other areas for removel of poverty on a macro level..The work done by Mr.Resham Singh is a uphill task and deserves all appreciations.