Impact of Jeevika on poverty reduction: A case study of Gaya, Bihar
- Bihar Journal of Public Administration
- 19(2), Jul-Dec, 2022: p.259-268
Poverty eradication has been one of the most prominent agendas of all the governments since the post-independence era. In the wake of poverty eradication, especially among women, the participatory approach has been adopted and promoted in the shape of Self Help Groups (SHGs) Similarly the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project known locally as JEEViKA, under the aegis of the national flagship programme Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission mobilizes women from impoverished, socially marginalized households into self-help groups. Taking the case study of JEEViKA in Bodhgaya, the present study intends to examine the role of SHGs in making ‘didi’ entrepreneurs and eradicating poverty in Bihar. The present paper argues that through savings, credits and financial literacy self-managed community based institutions are developing entrepreneurial skills among didis (JEEViKA entrepreneurs) and generating livelihood opportunities which leads to social and economic empowerment. – Reproduced