INTRODUCTION

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a long chain of islands located in the southeastern part of
the Bay of Bengal. The territory is located in the Indian Ocean, and geographically is considered
part of Southeast Asia. It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar
Islands, separated by the 10° N parallel, with the Andamans to the north of this latitude, and the
Nicobars to the south. The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the west.

The territory's capital is the Andamanese town of Port Blair. The territory's population as per the
most recent (2001) Census of India was 356,152. Added together, the total land area of the
territory is approximately 6,496 km² or 2,508 sq mi.

Map of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The MAM started its activities in Andaman & Nicobar Islands immediately after tsunami
devastated the island. The M.A.Math under the guidance and inspiration of its founder Sri Mata
Amritandanandamayi responded immediately to the Tsunami tragedy. It performed immediate
rescue operations solely driven by its own volunteers, provided shelter, free clothing, and food,
medical and financial aid.

During the post Tsunami relief work in Andaman’s, the Math had posted volunteers to distribute
thousands of pieces of clothes, medicines, food supplies, etc. in Little Andamans (Hut Bay) and
Port Blair. With many people stranded without shelter, their homes having been destroyed by the
Tsunami, the Math’s centre at Shadipur, Port Blair served as the nucleus for Tsunami refugee
rehabilitation for several weeks. Following the immediate relief work, the Math also took up the
massive task of constructing 200 houses as per CPWD specifications in Bamboo Flat and other
areas in Port Blair.

On May 2, 2009, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MAM) opened Amrita Health Centre
in Port Blair, Andaman Island. The centre is complete with full-time specialist services in
cardiology, pediatry and general medicine. The centre is equipped with a fully computerized lab,
digital X-ray, ECG, TMT Color Doppler and a telemedicine satellite link with MAM’s super-
specialty hospital, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), in Cochin, Kerala. The centre is
also equipped with a 24-hour ambulance facility.

Following the Tsunami the need for a well equipped diagnostic centre as a nucleus for
growing into a fully fledged medical center came up in 2008 during Amma’s visit to the islands,
to hand over the keys of the houses constructed by the Math to the Tsunami affected
beneficiaries. When the large gathering at the function requested Amma in unison for setting up
a state of the art facility, she consented to setting up the required medical services.

Project Context: Amrita SREE in Andaman

CARE India, a national organization working in the development sector has initiated
microfinance and livelihood restoration programs in Andaman & Nicobar Islands since
December 2005. Several hundred SHG’s have been formed by CARE in the Islands. NABARD,
A&NSCB, SBI and Syndicate bank are the major bankers in the island involved in the task of
ensuring empowerment of the women in the islands through promoting Self Help Groups
(SHGs).

After the project period of three years, the project was handed over to Mata Amritanandamayi
Math which took it over in the islands under the name Amrita SREE Micro Finance Project.
The Project team comprises of Project Director, Programme Coordinator, 3 Project Officers
(stationed in three regions- South, Middle and North). 16 CRPs are currently working on the
project under the MAM to manage the SHGs existing in the island.

Amrita SREE is currently managing 733 groups in the island of which 377 are credit linked. The
main banks with which the SHGs are credit linked are Andaman and Nicobar State Cooperative
Bank, State Bank of India and Syndicate bank. Amrita SREE is funded by Care India for the
implementation of the project. CARE India also provides technical assistance to Amrita SREE
regularly. Amrita SREE is supported by NABARD in giving capacity building trainings for
SHGs on Leadership, Micro Enterprises and Book Keeping. The project is regularly monitored
by Care India on a bimonthly basis and technical inputs are given from time to time.

Amrita SREE has also initiated a new Self Help Group Promotion Project funded by
NABARD seeing the scope and need for new SHGs in the island. There is still a huge rural
population in the island which needs support to be financially stable and be empowered. Amrita
SREE’s new project aims at making them what they hope to be- self reliant. Amrita SREE is
seeking collaborative support with the NABARD to promote 1400 SHG’s and ensure livelihood
opportunities to Tsunami effected population in Andaman by providing sustainable bank
linkages with SHGs / CBOs through proper process of facilitation by Community Level
Resource persons (CLRPS).

The objective of the project is intends to promote, strengthen 1400 SHGs, provide capacity
development training, and develop livelihood opportunity through initiating income generation
activities to wider range of poor and marginalized women in Andaman Islands.

The Specific Objectives of the project are

 The project at a period of 3 years form 1400 new SHG’s, and make strengthen them by
providing adequate technical training and promoting livelihood opportunities for making
them self sustainable. 
 Establish women Self-Help Groups which will build self-confidence and provide them
greater access and control over resources.
 Sensitize and strengthen the institutional capacity of the SHGs by utilizing Govt depts,
NGOs & Banks to categorically address women’s needs.
 Increase the income of poor women through their involvement in income generating
activities thereby contributing to their own well being.
 Develop linkages between SHGs and lending institutions for economic development.
 Improve access to better health care, education and minimum standard of living
facilities. 

The Target Communities are identified based on the socio-economic conditions and
differential vulnerabilities of the Tsunami victims, socially excluded population groups and those
who have limited access and control over resources. With special focus on women headed
families for enabling them to improve their living standards and socio economic status women.
The following are the target communities-
Target a. Fisher Folks
Objective: Ensuring sustainable livelihood security through enhancement of income and
economic security to fisher folk families.

Operational Area: South, Middle & North Andaman

Target - b : Small & marginal farmers and agriculture laborers.

Objective: Ensuring enhancement of existing & alternative sustainable livelihood security to

small, marginal and agriculture laborers.

Operational Area: South, North Andaman & Middle Andaman

Target – c : Caren, Ranchi and Nepali communities to inclusion of un reached poor

Objective: Ensuring sustainable livelihood security and entitlement of their rights by inclusion of
socially excluded communities viz. Caren families, Ranchi and Nepali families.

Target – d: Vulnerable & Marginal communities from Bengali, Tamil, Telugu & other needy
families.

Objective: Ensuring accessibility of timely & adequate credit and livelihood support to enhance
their income and economic security.

The Time frame: The project will be completed over a period of 3 years tentatively from
October 2009 to September 2012.

Executive Summary
Amrita SREE started its operations in Andaman on the 10th of September 2009 after taking over
the project from Care India. When MAM took over the project there were as many as 827 groups
in Andaman formed and promoted by Care India as per records. After extensive field visit by
Amrita SREE team, it was found that many of the groups were completely inactive. So those
groups were closed down and currently Amrita SREE is managing 733 groups spread over
South, Middle and North Andaman. These groups are regularly monitored by the CRPs and the
POs through regular field visits. Amrita SREE is also facilitating the credit linkage of the groups.

Association with NABARD:

Amrita SREE has tied up with NABARD to promote SHGs in the island. NABARD gives
assistance to Amrita SREE in two projects. NABARD is assisting Amrita SREE in providing
SHG level training to the matured SHGs under the Amrita SREE- Care project and is also
funding Amrita SREE’s SHGP project.

Training Assistance from NABARD:

Amrita SREE submitted a proposal to NABARD seeking assistance in giving basic training to
the SHGs on topics like Book Keeping, Leadership, Management of Savings and Micro Credit
and Orientation on Micro Enterprises. Amrita SREE has so far conducted 45 training
programmes for the SHGs in the three regions.

Amrita SREE SHGP Project:

Amrita SREE got the largest assistance NABARD has so far given to any single NGO in India
for promotion of SHGs when it sanctioned proposal to promote 1400 groups in Andaman Island
within a time span of 3 years.

Another major upcoming project in association with NABARD is on the Proposal for Vegetable
Procurement and marketing in Port Blair through Amrita SREE SHGs which envisages
providing livelihood for atleast 200 SHG members (families) in the island.

Amrita SREE has also submitted a proposal on Training in Mobile Repairing for the unemployed
youth of the island. Another project being processed now is one in which assistance is sought in
setting up a jute bag making unit (RIF Scheme).

Livelihood Training Programmes for SHGs:

Amrita SREE is focusing on initiating micro enterprises in the group level and towards that end
numerous training programmes has been organized in association with various Government
Departments, other organizations and bankers. Amrita SREE has conducted trainings in
floriculture, organic farming, fast food preparation, jute bag making etc so far.

Amrita SREE has submitted a proposal to DIC for assistance in training on Mobile Repairing
which is also in processing.

Networking Activities:

Amrita SREE has contacted and created rapport with all the government departments and other
organizations in the island.

Achievements:

Amrita SREE has achieved quite a lot in a small period of time especially in terms of helping
SHG members earn a livelihood and be self reliant. The team was able to help the first trained
women auto drivers in the area to purchase and ride auto rickshaws in North Andaman by
helping them avail PMEGP Loans. Now Andaman has eight women auto drivers; first women
auto drivers in the island.
Amrita SREE was also able to start a Chinese Polycloth bag making unit in South Andaman.
Five SHG members are now actively working in the unit supplying bags to local vendors, hotels
and super markets in the area.

In Middle Andaman, the team was able to find out a few groups which had the potential and
resources to supply copra (dried coconut) to the local oil company, Naseem in South Andaman.
The Amrita SREE team facilitated in linking up the SHG members with the company and
negotiated on behalf of the SHG members for a better deal.

Highlights of the Activities:

Amrita SREE provides regular handholding support to the SHGs. They are regularly monitored
by the CRPs and the POs. Amrita SREE is simultaneously implementing and monitoring two
projects in the island.

A. Amrita SREE- Care India Partnership Project

One is the Care India- Amrita SREE partnership in which 733 groups are monitored and
promoted by the Amrita SREE Project team. The activities include regular visits to the SHGs,
providing SHG level trainings, maintaining Management Information System, assistance in
initiating Micro Enterprises and also in setting up units, networking with governmental and non
governmental agencies to organize trainings and to avail schemes and privileges for the SHGs.

1. Group Visits:

Amrita SREE has a dedicated team of 16 CRPs who regularly visits all the groups on a monthly
basis and facilitates group meetings, train the members in book keeping if needed. The CRPs
also assists the groups in getting credit linkages (all the groups have bank accounts) as per needs
of the members. The Project Officers also conduct regular field visits to ensure compliance with
accepted rules and standards in operations of the SHGs. The CRPs are trained by the POs in
implementing new MIS in the SHGs. POs also helps the CRPs in resolving many issues and
problems at the SHG level.

2. Capacity Building Activities:

Amrita SREE is dedicated to the capacity building of these groups in terms of operations of the
group and also earning a livelihood. Amrita SREE team has on its arrival found out that the
matured SHGs in Care Amrita SREE partnership needed basic SHG level training. So Amrita
SREE sought assistance from NABARD in conducting training programmes for the SHGs on
topics such as Leadership, Management of Savings and Micro Credit, Orientation on Micro
Enterprises and Book Keeping. The participants for such trainings are chosen through the
monitoring visits conducted by the CRPs and the POs. These training programmes help the
groups to be independent and creative to plan for the future. Amrita SREE has so far conducted
45 training programmes in all the three regions.
Leadership, Management of Savings and Micro Credit- 15 (5 in each region)

Book keeping for SHG Leaders- 15 (do)

Orientation on Micro Enterprises- 15(do)

All the training sessions are handled by experts from government departments, banks and other
related agencies.

3. Livelihood trainings:

One of the main objectives of Amrita SREE as far as the matured groups are concerned is to help
them be self reliant to be true to its name. So the team had made great efforts to understand the
socio economic background and interest of the people, availability of resources, marketability etc
so as to give them the most suitable skill building trainings. Once the need is identified and
feasibility is checked, Amrita SREE seeks support from other govt and non govt agencies in the
area to organize trainings for the SHGs.

 Training in Floriculture:

The training programme on floriculture in association with the Department of Agriculture was
conducted in the month of October mainly concentrated on providing basic and important
information’s on floriculture activity, different types of flower, safety measures, the availability
of the resources, the requirements needed to do the unit and included the scientific aspects too.
The participants (26 nos) who attended the training were members from 9 different SHGs
operating in the Sippighat, Chouldari, Wandoor, Manpur, Collinpur, Prothrapur and Naya Basthi.

 Training on Jute Bag making:

A training programme on jute bag making was organized in association with ANCON in the
month of December 2009. Eighteen members were selected from the SHG members in and
around Aberdeen Bazar in Port Blair for the training. Of which five members were seriously
interested in the making bags, so the agency decided to provide the SHG members with
machines and raw materials. Amrita SREE planned to make Chinese cloth bags in the initial
stages of the jute bag manufacturing unit as the cloth bags were much in need after the ban on
plastic carry bags in the island. Amrita SREE is also involved in the marketing of the products.

 Training on Fast Food Preparation:

A training programme on Fast food preparation was arranged for the SHG members in
association with SBI Rural Self Employment Training Institute. Thirty seven members
participated in the programme. 35 were SHG members. The members were selected based on
their aptitude. Most of the ladies who attended the training were involved in catering or in
supplying mid day meals to the schools. Others are about to start such ventures in the near future.
It was a five day training programme which started from 22- 26 Feb 2010. The programme was
inaugurated by Ms. Bhama Bhuvaneswari. Mr. S.R. Banik, AGM, SBI RO, Mr. Kathirvel, AGM,
NABARD participated in the function.

Four to six of the participants expressed interest in starting units on fast food making under their
SHG. The Amrita SREE project had conducted follow up meeting with the respective members
and it was decided to discuss with the municipal authorities to get permission to initiate small
petty shops in the municipal area. Om Sai group has already started small unit of catering
services in their own houses. The project team helped the members to get some order to set up
the unit.

B. Amrita SREE Self Help Group Promotion Project

This is an ambitious project to promote 1400 SHGs in the island for the socio economic
development of the excluded. Amrita SREE got the largest assistance from NABARD for SHG
promotion.

The Project Strategy is;

To involve 17000 women in to the SHG movement and at least 80% of SHGs to access credit
services from the state cooperative bank branches, the following strategies have been identified:

 Formation of SHGs & initiating bank savings, internal lending and credit linkages for all
the SHGs during the project period.
 The Amrita SREE project team will establish sustainable SHG bank linkage process.
 Establish linkages of SHG federations with state cooperative & other banks & Line
departments, through regular facilitation process by Amrita SREE project team.
 Establishment of MIS for SHGs for better performance. (Book keeping, initiating rating
system, and creation of MIS at all level right from the SHG to bank level).
 Provide adequate SHGs building process by the field experts of the Amrita SREE project
team.
 Capacity Building of the SHGs group members by state cooperative/other banks staff &
Panchayati Raj Institute members on micro finance concept, and methodology of lending
operations to SHGs (for scale up).
  Staff recruitment: The project proposes to get support from the professionals such as
Programme coordinator, project officers, project consultant and community level
resource persons under the guidance of the Project Director, throughout the project
period.
 Conducting promotional training by experts to equip the SHGs towards capacity building,
enhancement of their expertise in various directions particularly in adopting innovative
technologies, initiate productive enterprises, marketing of their products and also
improving the standard of living of the poor and marginalized group of women involving
in the self help group promotion activities.
 Adopting technical SHGs rating methods

Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee:

A Project Implementing and Monitoring Committee has been set up with representatives from
NABARD, A&NSCB, SBI, Syndicate bank and Amrita SREE project team to monitor and
review the progress of the programme. The Committee meets regularly every month and the
monthly progress reports are presented in the meeting based on which discussions are held and
suggestions are given by the committee for further progress.

Amrita SREE SHGP Progress as on March 2010:

So far 56 groups have been formed under the project since it was sanctioned in October 2009.
All the SHGs put together has a savings of Rs. 223900/- and out of the 56 groups 17 have started
internal lending.

C. Periodical Review

The project is regularly monitored on a monthly basis by the project team and on a bimonthly
basis by the Care India team. Amrita SREE regularly reports to both NABARD and Care India
about the progress in the formation and credit linkages of the SHGs.

Care India has reviewed the project thrice during the time period. Based on the reviews the
project team has implemented the following in the field.

a. Master register: This gives all the details of the SHGs and its members
b. Standard Operating Procedure: This was brought in to get some uniformity and
organization in the group meetings.
c. MIS (Management Information System): MIS will give the accounts of the SHGs
necessary transparency.
d. Monitoring Format: Monitoring formats help to analyse whether the groups are
complying with the SOP or not and also to grade the SHGs and evaluate the CRPs’
monitoring.
 D. Events and Achievements:
i. Inauguration of Amrita SREE Project in Andaman by the Chief Secretary

Amrita SREE project was formally inaugurated by the Chief Secretary on the 26 th of
November 2009 in the presence of the Project Director. The heads of various government
departments (Director, Industries, Agriculture department etc) took part in the function. More
than 150 SHG members from the project area also participated in the function. The event also
celebrated the success of eight ladies from Diglipur who became the first women auto drivers in
Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The Chief Secretary awarded the PMEGP loan sanction orders to
purchase auto.

The officials from the Industries department also interacted with the SHG during the
function about the various schemes available for starting enterprises.
 CS inaugurating the function
Dignitaries attending the function

SHG members sharing success stories

 ii. Handing over of Auto rickshaws to the women SHG members, Diglipur

The Member of Parliament, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray distributed the keys of auto rickshaw to a
Amrita SREE Self-Help Group ‘Pratibha’ at a function held at R K Gram Panchayath Addressing
the gathering, the MP urged the women-folks to become self reliant by embracing self-
employment. Lauding the efforts of Mata Amritanandamayi Math for launching the noble
initiative, the MP said, this will help the rural women in uplifting their standard of living. He said
this is for the first time that women are going to be associated with this nature of work and
expressed the hope this will help in drawing more women to take up self-employment ventures.

The Rotary Club of Andaman has given 8 mobile handsets to the respective women auto owners
to extend support to the great women entrepreneurs as part of their charity activities. Shri
Dinakaran, President Rotary Club, Andaman has provided mobile handsets to the Coordinator,
Amrita SREE and later Shri Naresh Halder, Adhyakasha, Zillah Parishad, N & M Andaman
provided the handset to the respective women during the function.

Handing over the Autoriksha key to the SHG member

The Programme Coordinator of Amrita SREE, speaking on the occasion said, initially eight
women have been chosen under the project and they will be trained for driving the vehicle. The
project was started with the support of KVIB under PMEGP scheme further follow up action was
taken by Amrita SREE team to attain the goal. Apart from the functionaries of Mata
Amritanandamayi Math the function was attended by the Shri Naresh Halder Adhyaksh, Zillah
Parishad, North & Middle Andaman, and other PRI members.
 iii. MP’s visit to Krishna Puri.

Amrita SREE has proposed a new project to procure vegetables from Diglipur, produced by our
SHG members and sell it in Port Blair through Amrita SREE SHGs. The project is much
appreciated by the Union Territory Administration and NABARD and is in processing. As a part
of the initial analysis Amrita SREE has done many field visits in North Andaman and MP Mr.
Bishnupada Ray also became part of one such visit clearly inspired by the project.

Field visit to the Agri.farms of the SHG members at Diglipur-

MP visited the farms of the dwellers of that area and interacted with their family members. The
situation of farmers and their problems were directly understood by the MP. The villagers
discussed the price variation of the vegetables and the impact of middlemen in the process. The
villagers are very enthusiastic about Amrita SREE procuring vegetables from them.

iv. Island Tourism Festival:

Amrita SREE took part in the ITF, the biggest event in the island to showcase the products of
SHGs. Amrita SREE rented a stall to showcase the SHG products as well as the products from
Ashram.

Problems Faced:

Andaman Islands are a difficult terrain to travel in. The island also has very less public
transportation facilities and many of the remote areas are out of reach for the project team due to
this. The telecommunication network of the islands is also very poor, with many places not
having any network coverage.

Conclusion:

Amrita SREE has achieved a great deal within a short time; be it in setting up micro
enterprises or credit linking SHGs (One SHG was given a loan worth 470000/- by the A&NSCB
which is the largest loan so far given to a single SHG) or in forming groups considering the
hostile environment in which it is working. The project also has the support of the UT
Administration and other Government and Non Government departments and organizations.
Amrita SREE is trying to utilize the available resources and start numerous initiatives which
would help the SHG members in ensuring a better life standard and economic security. Amrita
SREE though only a few months old in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has made remarkable
progress and aims for more heights in the future by remaining committed to the welfare of our
SHG members.