IV. Rural Governance IV. Role of Self Help Groups in Rural Development in Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu Introduction In Indian society women are suppressed and their voice is unheard. Especially in rural areas, in her family, though she plays a vital role, her labor is not valued. When it comes to financial decision her voice is neglected. In the community, she is not permitted to talk before others. Naturally her voice is neglected in social forums. Thu,s she is marginalized by the patriarchal society and not given with any opportunities to share her views on rural development apart from her family issues. Despite the taboos persisting in rural society, like a bolt from blue, SHG emerges and gives opportunities to rural women to express themselves and participate in rural development. SHGs not only equip and foster individual growth and development but also foster entire village development. SHGs are more than saving units and loan providers, they impart knowledge and empowerment to rural women. They are a legal adviser to its members in providing guidelines in times of domestic violence. Like a general physician SHGs treat their members on personal hygiene, nutrition, child rearing etc. Like a financial advisor they impart knowledge on savings, banking modus ‘operandi for loans and insurance which is very new to rural women. Like an entrepreneur development organization they give training and introduction to new entrepreneurs. SHGs act a bridge between the member and the agencies which equip people on personality development. After joining SHGs, the image of rural women in Vakkampatty village Panchayat gets makeover as they are personally developed Indian Journal of Rural Education and Engagement 75, Family supports their participation in SHGs because of which women equally contribute for the finance of the family especially for their children education. Knowledge on political matters empowers women and so they begin to desire to contest in local elections. SHGs break the caste discrimination among its members. SHGs are like redeemers of livelihood; thye save rural women and family from unemployment because of failure of agriculture in rural areas as a result of breakdown of monsoon. Above all, women work together in groups for achieving universal goal of empowerment. According to the proverb “Where there is a will, there is a way’, women with aspiration to develop not only use a magic wand on individual lives but over the entire rural area. Thus SHGs foster rural development. ‘SHGs in building of Rural Development SHG not only touch individual lives but also impacts the whole area involving in the process of rural development. The activities of SHGs in various aspects of the rural development are discussed below litical Activit 1. Involvement in Pol v SHGs motivate their SHG members to cast theirvote and contestiin local elections. As a result of personality development, working in groups and discussing on social issues , they have created a desire in women to contest in panchayat elections. SHGs also conduct campaigns on importance of voting for the general public. . SHGs in Village Sanitation In terms of Village Sanitation, the image is MGNCREquite clean. The SHGs join hands with the panchayat in maintaining village sanitation Open defecation reduced a lot due to active participation of SHGs in promoting awareness on sanitation. Adding feather to the hat of SHGs, they have passed a resolution to have toilets in all members’ households, which shows the bright side of village sanitation . SHG as a guardian of environment Kalenchium Trust provides seeds to its SHG group members for kitchen gardening. SHGs also campaign for plastic free Vakkampatty Panchayat. SHG members are also involved in vermicomposting their vicinity as a step to organic fertilizer based agriculture Removal of Liquor Shops Alcoholism always has been a threat to humanlife and environment. Theimmediate Victims of alcoholism are women. The SHG members of Vakkampatty village panchayat joined hands together to close down of liquor shop located on the highway by agitating in front of the Collector over the ‘nuisance of the liquor shop. The closure of liquor shop had relieved the local women & children from misbehaviour of the drunkards. This act not only benefited the \Vakkampatty Village Panchayat but also the highways travellers. Motivation to New Entrepreneurs Majority of the SHG offers training to young widows in tailoring and weaving baskets with the help of senior women in the village. This not only fosters entrepreneurs but paves way for preserving handicrafts of rural areas, . Governance SHG motivates its member to attend Grama Sabha. These members are shining Indian Journal of Rural Education and Engagement 78 examples for others and actively participate in Grama Sabha and also encourage others to attend the Grama Sabha. Way Forward 1, SHG in Vakkampatty village panchayat needs more encouragement and support from government and NGOs for better functioning. SHGs can transform from saving units to entrepreneurial units which helps them to remove unemployment due failure of monsoon ‘SHGs can work together with panchayat and stress on the importance of sanitation. Key Findings 74% of the women join in the SHGs for saving purpose. SHGs become the first choice for savings and getting loans since it isa safe option with low interest. On the basis of the debit they incurin SHGs, the paying amount differs from person to person and from group to group. In Vakkampatty the average amount paid by the members for savings is Rs 200/- ‘56% of the women fully depend on SHGs for savings. SHGs impact the rural women regarding the financial matters; 100% of the women are vested with bank account is possible only because of SHGs. Without any hesitation women approach the Bank and are treated with due respect because of SHGs. The percentage of women visiting the government officers have been increased from 46% to 62% after joining SHGs. ‘SHGs empower the women to claim their right and guide them to the right place to MGNCREget the right things done, 8. Women attending political & public meeting has increased (96%) after joining SHGs. 9. Capacity Building : Members of SHGs in Vakkampatty Village Panchayat have taken training course in Madurai and Coimbatore for capacity building by the Kalaencium Members were given training on Basket Weaving and Tailoring. 10. 58% of women accepted that, after joining SHGs, they started discussing about public issues with fellow beings. 11, 80% of the women are aware about the women related schemes in the government after joining SHGs. 12, 88% of women developed self-confidence through SHGs. SHGs impart knowledge on personality development, personnel hygiene, family planning, child rearing ete. 196% of the respondents admit that their economic status increased because of SHGs. 4 15, 54% of the women use their savings from ‘SHGs for children’s education. 16. SHGs have fostered the urge to contest in panchayat election 17. SHGs have developed the leadership quality among the rural areas. ‘The bond between the SHGs and Panchayat should be strengthened regarding the village sanitation 18, 19, Since the SHGs in Vakkampatty are on a saving basis, the percentage of SHGs motivating to start new enterprise is less. 20. Kalenchiun plays a vital role in training the SHG leaders on personality development. ‘There SHG leaders act as the ambassadors, Indian Journal of Rural Education and Engagement educating their SHG members on social issues, schemes, health tips, tailoring etc. 21. SHGin Vakkampatty includes all the women excluding the community and religion they belong. This imparts community integration within the village. 22. Kalenchium offers guidelines to women on health, sanitation and starting of new enterprises. It also fosters reading habit to SHG member by offering weekly magazines on health and hygiene. Women come out from the family and participate independently in community development. 24, Financial crises in family of the members are manageable due to SHGs. 25. Support To School Children : SHG offers help to poor school children by provide free note books and stationery in Vakkampatty Village Panchayat. Self Help Groups in Vakkampatty Panchayat: 7 Source: computed The Vakkampatty Village Panchayat comprises 28 selfhelp groups. In this 11 groups works under the government scheme “ Valvaatharalyyakkam’. These groups mainly do activities related to savings and rotation. Remaining 17 groups function under two private trust namely SSSPT- Social Service Sericulture project trust (9 self-help groups) and Kallanchiyam (8 self-help groups). The ‘groups under the private engage themselves in Vermicomposting, tailoring and pickle making. ighlights Nature of Work before and after joining 'SHGs 266% respondents reported a change in MGNCREthe nature of their work after joining SHGs Figure 10: Nature of work before and after joining SHGs Nature of work mcnanged Purpose for joi purpose. ing SHGs :74% of the respondents shared that they joined the SHGs for saving Purpose for joining in the SHGs Purpose for Joining SHS Awareness about Women related Schemes: Awareness on women related governmentschemes rose by 32% after joining SHGs. ‘ yes - 5 remeron Final year, M.A. Development Administration (Syr. int.) Department of Political Science and Development Administration The Gandhigram Rural institute - Deemed University, Gandhigram-624302 Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu July 2017 Indian Journal of Rural Education and Engagement 78: MGNCRE