In Search of Excellence in Rural Transformation: The Mann Ki Baat Cases of Self-Help Group Entrepreneurs

Authors

  • Vanishree Joseph Assistant Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • G. Narendra Kumar Director General, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • N. V. Madhuri Associate Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • Aruna Jayamani Assistant Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • Lakhan Singh Assistant Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • Pratyusna Patnaik Assistant Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • Ratna Bhuyan Assistant Professor, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.
  • Venkatamallu Thadaboina Research Officer, National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25175/jrd/2023/v42/i1/172886

Keywords:

Mann Ki Baat, SHGs, Micro-enterprise, Social Capital, Producer Group.

Abstract

The Prime Minister of India in various episodes of his Mann Ki Baat (MKB) addresses, recognised the
entrepreneurial spirit of the SHG members, their commitment to the community and the innovations
they made. Movement of SHG women groups from thrift to microenterprise provides them access to
capital, shared resources, and pooled knowledge. In this research study an attempt is made to arrive at
factors behind successful entrepreneurial activities of six SHGs which found mention in the Prime
Minister’s MKB address. SWOT analysis of these SHG enterprises is presented. Also, the paper
examines the impact of MKB in strengthening micro-enterprises. Cross-case comparison is done to
bring out the commonalities, variations and success factors of the SHG micro-enterprises that were
studied.
From this study, it is found that cluster-based SHG enterprises with multiple groups are more
successful than individual enterprises. These enterprises have often organized their activities around a
cluster of products, some of which are developed from traditional skill, as distinct from single products.
Most SHG enterprises have to carry on end-to-end operations on their own and derive little support from
aggregators. Those SHG enterprises which could plug into established marketing platforms could do
well. Capacities are a key ingredient of success. It is better if capacities are based on traditional
professions, and if such capacities are not available, other unique production capacities need to be
acquired.
The case studies found an increase in the level of motivation among SHG members after the MKB
address. The social recognition and support base of the SHG members increased substantially. The
SHG members experienced financial strengthening individually and in the group after the Mann Ki Baat
address. This has led to a multiplier effect in the activities of some SHGs especially those which were
functioning in a cluster, thus helping in reaching the unreached.

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Published

2023-05-03

How to Cite

Joseph, V., Kumar, G. N., Madhuri, N. V., Jayamani, A., Singh, L., Patnaik, P., Bhuyan, R., & Thadaboina, V. (2023). In Search of Excellence in Rural Transformation: The Mann Ki Baat Cases of Self-Help Group Entrepreneurs. Journal of Rural Development, 42(1), 01–19. https://doi.org/10.25175/jrd/2023/v42/i1/172886

Issue

Volume 42, Issue 1, January-March 2023-Special Issue - Mann Ki Baat

Section

Articles
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