In Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, three women decided to change their lives instead of giving up in the face of difficult circumstances. One of them was kicked out by her husband along with three daughters, and another struggled with financial difficulties. However, a loan obtained through a self-help group opened the path to financial independence for them.
Sakina Bano, a resident of Nurur village in the Gram Panchayat Banki, Block Banki, Barabanki, started her journey in 2021 by taking a loan from the Khwaja self-help group. Initially, she purchased her first e-rickshaw. After starting to earn, she repaid the debt and bought a second e-rickshaw. Then, taking a loan of four hundred thousand rupees, with the help of her brothers and personal savings, she acquired a car and began working with Ola.
Today, Sakina Bano has two e-rickshaws and one car. According to her, these three vehicles generate a monthly income of 25–30 thousand rupees. She uses these funds to cover her family's expenses, as well as to ensure the education and upbringing of her three daughters. She expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Chief Minister for this opportunity.
Like Sakina Bano, Moni Vishwakarma from Barabanki started her activities by buying a harvesting machine, and Nisha Yadav installed a mill for grinding spices and flour. By joining the rural employment program and self-help groups, these women have not only improved their economic situation but have also set an example of self-reliance.
Moni Vishwakarma noted that thanks to the self-help group, she gained a new social identity. She said: 'We created a group, then took a loan of about one and a half lakh rupees for a harvesting machine. This was enough to get the loan from the group. Thanks to this, we earn 30–35 thousand rupees every harvest. Previously, our living conditions and financial situation were not good, but now everything is better.'
A woman named Nisha Yadav started her business by installing a mill. Nisha lives in Daudpura. She took a loan of 50 thousand rupees from the Shiv Swami self-help group. According to Nisha, this business brings her a monthly saving of 15–20 thousand rupees. She emphasized that this activity helps her support the household and pay for her children's education. She added: 'We took a loan of 50 thousand rupees from the group and installed a mill. Local residents come here to grind spices or flour, and now we save 15–20 thousand rupees a month.'
According to Sunil Kumar Kaushal, Deputy Commissioner of Barabanki, under the programs of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister, work is done annually to achieve the goal of making thousands of women prosperous. Women in villages register in self-help groups so they can participate in economic activities. He also reported that after Sakina purchased two e-rickshaws, she acquired a car and started working with Ola, and two other women from Daudpura also started businesses by joining the group.