The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : SHG concept, a hit among students

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Wednesday, Apr 16, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

SHG concept, a hit among students

K. Raju

They will be job providers and not job seekers

The idea was launched last year
Now, it is gaining momentum

THENI: Rapid growth and massive development of self-help groups and their economic activities in the district have even tempted college students to follow them.

Having successfully executed various on and off the campus part-time business activities, 63 final year students of Cardamom Planters Association College at Bodinayakkanur have taken home Rs.27,000 cash while leaving the college this year. The second first year students have a corpus fund of 50,000.

Their savings and profits of the groups were distributed to 63 final students at a function organised by the Centre for Women Welfare and Entrepreneurship Development on the college campus here on Tuesday.

With massive support and encouragement by the college administration, over 170 boys and girls of the college had started 20 self-help students’ entrepreneurs groups last year to start various business activities ranging from DTP operation to fashion jewellery and toy making.

Some other groups engaged traditional rural business activities such as vermicomposting, frankincense and sari border designing.

“Earn while you learn” is the concept adopted by the students’ community. We have spent our holidays usefully to earn money to meet our personal expenses. Instead of searching for jobs, many of us would continue these business activities involving rural women, said M. Chandra, an SHG member.

“We can create job opportunities in rural areas.”

Now, we have been negotiating with banks for financial assistance to these members to enhance their business activities, said M. Manoharan, member secretary, CWED.

In his special address, District Industries Centre General Manager V. Rama advised to train students on coir industries to avail 50 per cent grant. Besides, power subsidy and VAT grant would also be given to them.

For the first time, the SHG movement was propagated among student community last year. Now it has been gaining momentum. Students have realised the importance and value of savings.

They would become job providers instead of job seekers, said college Principal C. Rajagopal. District Rural Development Agency Project Officer, C.K. Veeranan, briefed business opportunities and importance of small scale industries.

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