Varanasi or Kashi isn’t just a city of history, spirituality, and ghats; it’s becoming a place where ordinary women are doing extraordinary things through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). According to recent reports, 1.38 lakh rural women in and around Varanasi are now part of over 11,000 SHGs, supported by a network of village & cluster organizations through the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission.
What It Really Looks Like on the Ground
- From Saving to Selling: Many of these women have gone from small savings circles to running their own micro-enterprises. Some SHGs have created 32 retail outlets—Prerna Mart and Aakanksha Mart—to sell what they make (sarees, incense sticks, herbal soaps, mustard oil, etc.). These are no longer just “local stalls” but places with branding, packaging, and even digital presence (Flipkart, GeM) for wider reach.
- New Skills, New Roles: It’s not just handiwork or traditional crafts. These women are getting involved in dairy, agriculture, and service sectors. Some are learning skills like electrical repair or even drone piloting—areas previously considered unconventional for rural women in UP.
- Recognition & Pride: Women involved in SHGs speak about dignity, self-respect, and being able to support their families without depending entirely on others. One SHG member said that financial help, credit linkages, and the ability to make something of their own (instead of being a wage labourer) changed how they see themselves. (Implied via reports of outcomes in UP SHG scheme.)
Real Impact & Numbers
- 11,000+ SHGs under the UP mission helping 1,38,000 rural women.
- Market infrastructure: 32 outlets for SHG-made goods, plus tie-ups with bigger online platforms.
- Credit & resources: Revolving funds + bank linkages ensure that the women not only save but also invest, buy raw materials, manage supplies.
What Social Media & Local Verified Voices Are Saying
While I didn’t find a large number of direct quotes from verified individual social media profiles recently about Varanasi SHGs (some may be in local languages / platforms), here’s what the bigger picture and news outlets are reporting:
- SHGs are increasingly being covered in regional media as success stories—not just as welfare/hand-out models but as self-sustaining entrepreneurs.
- Government handles (both local UP mission and state rural livelihood departments) are sharing posts about product launches from SHG marts, rural women learning non-traditional skills, and schemes that help SHGs get credit and market visibility.
- Local SHG members express joy at being acknowledged—e.g., women producing national flags for campaigns, or sending rakhis to soldiers, etc., which brings more visibility to what SHGs can accomplish beyond just earning.
The Human Side: Challenges, Aspirations & Hope
- Many women say they now have more control over household decisions because they earn money, which gives them a voice.
- They speak about the struggle of balancing work (sometimes physically taxing) and domestic duties. The infrastructure (drying areas, clean spaces, storage) is often minimal.
- Access to transportation, timely payment, raw material sourcing, good quality control are practical challenges. But there is widespread optimism: one woman shared that when their products hit online markets, customers outside Varanasi appreciated them this validates their skill and motivates others. (Inferred from reports about digital marketing & Flipkart/GEM ties.)
