Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (AGSN) is doing commendable job for the social and economic of the North East region.

North East News Agency

UNITED, we are producing quality products & doing better business”. This is stated by Champa, Chandika, Bina and Rina. Until a couple of months back they were weaving in their looms independently at home. An idea struck in Champa’s mind- “Why don’t we work together since we are all in the same trade?” Champa even offered a shed in her house at Teteliguri which was lying unutilized. And “Shristi Mahila Boyan Shilpa” was born.

These four young ladies were the trainees of the 2nd REDP conducted by Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (AGSN) during 2001-2002 with the financial assistance from NABARD through Entrepreneurship Development Institute Of India (EDII), Ahmedabad. During counselling sessions they decided to opt for weaving on a commercial basis. After the Technical Training (TT) they were well motivated to start their venture. AGSN facilitated Champa to mobilize a loan from Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Nidhi (RGVN), a financial agency with its headquarters in Guwahati. The others managed working capital from the village thrift & credit society. Working independently gradually they began to face problems- since they need to sit in the looms and even look for the outside market in Guwahati city.

Now, that they are together in the fray under the banner-Shristi Mahila Boyan Shilpa, lots of hurdles are simply solved with their concerted efforts. Bina from the nearby village also joined hands with them. They are producing cotton gamocha, gale & pat (mulberry) mekhala chadar (the traditional attire of Assamese women). At present they are completing an order for uniforms of the college students of Dimoria College, Khetri. They are looking forward to hire a stall and participate in an Exhibition cum Sale at NEDFi Haat, Ambari, Guwahati before Bohag Bihu.

Bhaskar, of about 27 years from Tetelia village under Dimoria Development Biock, District- Kamrup, Assam belong to a lower middle class family. He left his studies quite young during his graduation. He had an entrepreneurial mind from a very young age. He was the first one to collect an application form when he came to know regarding the EDP to be conducted by AGSN. His firm determination and commitment compelled the authorities to select him. During one month training he explored all means to get best inputs from the training. He came to know about the basic qualities to be an entrepreneur. After successful completion of the training, Bhaskar made a survey of the service business available in the Tetelia square just in the National Highway near his residence. He observed that there is not a single Tent House in the area. The local people bring shamaina, chairs, benches, Uiensils etc. from Sonapur during community functions & weddings.

Along with Deepti Rahang (Motivator cum Trainer) he approached almost all the Banks in the area with his project for establishment of a Tent House. Finally he succeeded in getting a loan of Rs one lakh sanctioned from Pragjyotish Goanlia Bank, Sonapur. He runs his Tent House from his residence and earns Rs.6, 000/- per month. At present he possess assets worth Rs.l, 40, 000/- in the tent house. He is repaying his installment regularly. Bhaskar stated “The training was the turning point in my life”.

Labanya Sharma another young person from Tetelia village is a son of a fanner. Along with his two brothers he works in the family field. He was looking for an opportunity to supplement his income with some other activity. It was November, 2002 when he saw the banner hanged by AGSN regarding a REDP on bee-keeping & wooden block making. He thought now is the time to grab the opportunity and act. He collected the form, submitted it, faced the interview and was screened for the ensuing training. He said, “My peer group made fun of me for willing to join a training at this juncture of life.” But Labanya was determined to initiate bee-keeping as an income generating activity which he can manage along with his work load cultivating the field. He adds, “The 15 day classroom training of the REDP has exposed me to various other aspects in life.” After completion of the technical training he lost his patience for starting tlie bee-keeping activity. He contacted the Technical Trainer from Khadi & Village Industries Board (KVIB)  Tilak Bora and purchased one bee-keeping box from him.

By than the income generating project submitted by AGSN to RGVN for the REDP trainees got sanctioned. Loan amount was released to 13 trainees for bee-keeping including Labanya. During this monsoon he was the luckiest one to capture the Queen Bees for his five new boxes. He supposed that Rs.3, 500/- is a very small amount as a loan to an individual, but now he believes it is adequate to initiate a village industry like bee­keeping. Labanya finally stated,” It was really unbelievable how come we got loan assistance with so minimum effort & a non-banking system”.

Neelima Baruah an enterprising woman of Kamarkuchi was already into bee-keeping for quite some time now. She was lacking scientific know how in bee­keeping until she got the opportunity of joining the REDP. Completing her household chores she was usually the first person to arrive AGSN campus during the six weeks TT. She was not familiar with certain symptoms of the bees and the precautions needed for a better output of honey. Now, she has all the tips jolted down given by the trainer during the course of technical training. Last year she earned Rs. 8000/- from four boxes. She said “Unlike other trades, bee-keeping require no recruiting cost which is the most tension     free part”.

Availing the loan assistance of Rs.3, 500/- during the month of July, 2003 she added another 4 boxes and also procured an extractor, bee vail, hand gloves, capturing net & drone trap. She is confident of the market demand of honey. During the course of last “Group Meeting” she assured to market the honey produced by the other trainees. Smt. Neelima Baruah is an example to other women folk.

Profile of AGSN

Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi (AGSN) is one of the pioneer voluntary organizations working in the field of economic and social development of the North East region. Initially the Nidhi was working as the Assam State Branch of Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Rajghat, New Delhi, during the period 1950 to 1962. Then in the year 1962-63 it was registered under Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 as Assam Gandhi Smarak Nidhi and working as independent organization in the North East Region. The Nidhi has been working at grassroot level for rural development by following the principles of Gandhian economics. The Nidhi has been actively involved in the field of social and economic development for up liftment of rural populace in the region. It imparts training in agriculture & allied activities, sericulture/ handioom, khadi & village industries, entrepreneurship development.

Major work areas of AGSN are as follows

Women empowerment

Production of Handioom items viz, Muga Silk, Eri & Mulberry Silk

Sericuitural Activity viz, Rearing of Muga Silk & Eri Worms

Short Stay Home for Women & Girls- Shelter to distressed women/girls with training inputs for their rehabilitation. Promotion of Self Help Groups (SHGs)- Capacity Building & Credit Linkage with Banks

Income Generation

Youth welfare

Rural Entrepreneurship Development Programmes (REDPs)

Tribal Hostels

Employment Generation

Training & workshops

Handioom Weaving Training

Chemical & Natural Dyeing Workshop

Fruit and Vegetable Processing Trainings

Agriculture Extension Training

Agriculture & allied

Composite Farming

Som Trees (food plants for muga silk worm) Plantation.

Organic Farming

Composting

Bee Keeping

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