Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Gorakhpur Woman Builds Rural Business Through Self-Help Groups
Usha Devi lives in a village in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
Her family once found it difficult to pay household expenses.
She joined a Self-Help Group after learning about it from women in a nearby village.
The group taught her about saving money, banking and starting a business.
In July 2022, she received a loan of about Rs 1.50 lakh.
She used the money to improve and expand her grocery shop.
The shop now provides regular income for her family.
Usha also helps lead nine groups that include about 130 women.
These women earn money through activities such as animal rearing, tailoring and small businesses.
Usha Devi of Naharpur village joined a Self-Help Group after her family struggled financially.
Through the group, she learned about savings, banking and self-employment opportunities.
A loan of around Rs 1.50 lakh in July 2022 helped her expand her grocery shop.
She now serves as a Samuh Sakhi, leading nine groups with about 130 women.
The groups support activities including livestock rearing, poultry farming, tailoring, embroidery and small businesses.
- Who
- Usha Devi, a resident of Naharpur village in Gorakhpur, and women participating in Self-Help Groups.
- What
- Usha Devi expanded her grocery shop with a Self-Help Group loan and now leads nine groups as a Samuh Sakhi.
- When
- She received the loan in July 2022; the account was dated August 25, and she has run the shop for about four years.
- Where
- Naharpur village in the Chargawan block of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- The Self-Help Groups and the National Rural Livelihood Mission aim to provide rural women with savings, loans, training and self-employment opportunities.
- Beneficiary
- Usha Devi
- Location
- Naharpur village, Chargawan block, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Loan
- Around Rs 1.50 lakh received through a Self-Help Group in July 2022
- Business
- Grocery shop
- Leadership role
- Samuh Sakhi
- Groups led
- Nine Self-Help Groups
- Women associated
- About 130