Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General, World Trade Organization interacts with Self-Help Group members and officials of MoRD

Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala appreciates initiatives taken by the SHG members during the pandemic

During the ongoing visit of Her Excellency Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director General (DG), World Trade Organization (WTO) to India, she interacted with the officials of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India and women of Self-Help Group (SHG) promoted under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana- National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), MoRD on 22nd October 2021.

Shri Charanjit Singh, Joint Secretary, MoRD led the discussions and Shri Raghvendra Pratap Singh, Director, MoRD and a team of thematic experts from the National Mission Management Unit, DAY-NRLM, MoRD attended the meeting. Sh. Brajendra Navnit, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to the WTO Geneva, Switzerland and Mr Abhimaniu Sharma, DOC, Ministry of Commerce participated in the meeting.

Shri Charanjit Singh presented an overview of DAY-NRLM components and activities conducted by the SHGs during the COVID-19 outbreak. DG, WTO also interacted virtually with Ms Rambeti Sen, Master Krishi Sakhi of Vishwanath SHG from Madhya Pradesh, Ms Sushma Devi, BC Sakhi of Durga Self-Help Group from Bihar, Ms Jamuna, President of Krishna Bhagwan CLF and Jai Chamunda SHG from Madhya Pradesh, Ms Sujatha Unnikrishnan Secretary of Vismaya SHG from Kerala and Ms Nandini Devi, Entrepreneur of Ma Gayatri SHG from Jharkhand.

SHG members shared their experience of working with Self-Help Group

She enquired SHG members about their areas of work, the experience of joining SHG, how it has impacted them economically and socially and how SHGs addressed challenges imposed by the disease outbreak.

The SHG members shared their experience of working with SHG and informed that their economic and social situation has improved and now they are able to take care of their families, children and themselves better. They informed about their work i.e. disbursement of money at the doorstep during the COVID-19, supporting Self-Help Group households in setting up of the Agri-Nutrition Garden, promoting Agro-Ecological practices, setting up of enterprises like soap, sanitiser making, spices etc, awareness generation on COVID-19 appropriate behaviours, addressing COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the community, distribution of free dry rations and cooked food to the vulnerable etc.

DG, WTO congratulated SHG members for their efforts in making a positive difference in their lives and community. She especially appreciated initiatives taken by the Self-Help Group members during the pandemic and wished them well in their future endeavours.

Disclaimer : This is an official press release by PIB.