Chief Minister Jashpur Express Scheme opens a new path to self-reliance; she now earns a net monthly income of Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000
After joining the Bihan Mission, Sangeeta transforms her family’s financial condition and now inspires other women to take up self-employment
Raipur, October 2026 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chhattisgarh government is creating new self-employment opportunities to make rural women economically empowered and self-reliant. With the support of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), Bihan, and various state government schemes, women are moving beyond traditional livelihood activities and establishing themselves in new businesses.
Sangeeta Devi, a resident of Cherdad village in Duldula development block of Jashpur district, is an inspiring example of this transformation. Earlier, she used to take small loans from her Self-Help Group (SHG) to meet family needs and agricultural expenses. Today, she drives an e-rickshaw herself and earns a net monthly income of Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000. Through hard work and self-confidence, she has achieved the status of a Lakhpati Didi.
Bihan Mission Marked the Beginning of Her Journey Towards Self-Reliance
Sangeeta Devi joined the Bihan Mission in 2018 through the Deepak Self-Help Group. After joining the group, she gained access to information about regular savings, credit facilities and various livelihood enhancement opportunities. Initially, she took small loans from the group to meet agricultural expenses and family requirements. Gradually, her desire to start her own business and increase her family’s income grew stronger.
Sangeeta realised that developing a stable alternative source of income alongside agriculture could further improve her family’s financial condition. With this thought, she submitted a proposal to the cluster organisation in Duldula for an e-rickshaw. She explained that there was considerable passenger movement along the Duldula-Patratoli route and that operating an e-rickshaw on this stretch offered good employment prospects. Her initiative opened a new avenue towards self-reliance.
E-Rickshaw Received From the Chief Minister Brings a Major Change in Her Life
Considering Sangeeta Devi’s determination, interest in self-employment and the livelihood opportunities available to her, she was provided with a battery-operated e-rickshaw in 2025 under the Chief Minister Jashpur Express Scheme. Receiving the e-rickshaw from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan became a memorable moment in her life.
After receiving the e-rickshaw, Sangeeta decided to make it not merely a means of transporting passengers but a foundation for her financial independence and her family’s well-being. She chose to drive it herself and confidently began her business. Today, she operates the e-rickshaw on the Duldula-Patratoli route and earns a regular income through her hard work.
Daily Earnings of Rs 700-800, Net Monthly Income of Up to Rs 18,000
Sangeeta Devi, who has been driving the e-rickshaw for nearly a year, earns approximately Rs 700 to Rs 800 every day. After deducting all expenses related to its operation, she earns a net monthly income of around Rs 15,000 to Rs 18,000. Her annual net income has thus reached approximately Rs 1.80 lakh to Rs 2.16 lakh.
The financial stability gained through self-employment has brought a major change to Sangeeta’s life. Earlier, she had to depend on loans to meet her family’s needs. Now, she contributes to household expenses through her own earnings. Her achievement demonstrates that when rural women receive appropriate opportunities and support, they can successfully establish self-employment ventures in non-agricultural sectors as well.
Financial Support for the Family, Better Prospects for Children
The regular income from the e-rickshaw has strengthened the financial condition of Sangeeta Devi’s family. She now contributes towards her children’s upbringing and their needs through her earnings. Along with sharing the household’s daily expenses, she also provides financial assistance to her husband whenever required.
For Sangeeta, this achievement is not limited to an increase in income. Having her own business has also strengthened her confidence and decision-making abilities. By sharing the family’s financial responsibilities, she is working towards securing a better future for her children.
Becomes a Lakhpati Didi With Bihan’s Support, Inspires Other Women
Sangeeta Devi says that after joining the Bihan Mission, she learned about the collective strength of self-help groups, savings and credit facilities, as well as new livelihood opportunities. While the SHG provided her with an opportunity to engage in economic activities, the Chief Minister Jashpur Express Scheme played an important role in helping her start her own business.
Today, Sangeeta has established her identity as a Lakhpati Didi. She is also encouraging other women associated with the Bihan Mission not to remain limited to agriculture and traditional livelihood activities. Instead, she urges them to explore new opportunities in non-agricultural businesses and self-employment according to their interests and local requirements.
She believes that women can bring significant improvements to their families’ financial conditions if they move forward with confidence and make proper use of the opportunities available to them.
Expresses Gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and District Administration
Sangeeta Devi has expressed her gratitude to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the Jashpur district administration for her success. She says that the e-rickshaw provided under the Chief Minister Jashpur Express Scheme gave her an opportunity to become self-reliant. It has not only increased her family’s income but also inspired her to move forward in life with confidence and dignity.
Sangeeta’s success is an inspiring story of rural women’s empowerment. She has demonstrated that with determination, hard work and the right opportunities, women can achieve economic self-reliance through self-employment.
Benefiting from livelihood enhancement initiatives implemented under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the support extended through the Bihan Mission, women like Sangeeta are increasing their participation in the rural economy. The journey of Sangeeta Devi from Duldula to becoming a Lakhpati Didi conveys an important message: more than large resources, the determination to move forward and the effective use of available opportunities are essential for achieving self-reliance. Her success is now inspiring other women in her village as well.
