Chhattisgarh’s Suraaji Gaon Yojana is creating a number of opportunities for economic empowerment in rural areas.

Members of Women Self Help Groups in Vrindavan Gauthan of village Anjora in Rajnandgaon district have shaped their dream of        economic empowerment and self-reliance through this scheme.

Now, with the                    transformation of Vrindavan Gauthan into a rural      industrial park spread over 26 acres, the efforts of the women self help groups have further gained     momentum.

A livelihood work shed has been constructed for women. These efforts have made women of the village financially independent.

Lokeshwari Nirmalkar, a member, said that working at the Gauthan-turned-Rural Industrial Park has               significantly improved the financial status of her family.

Now they don't have to wander for work. Gauthans have helped many women to create their own identity. Many of these women have stepped outside their home to work for the first time.

Being financially          self-dependent has boosted the confidence of the women.

Megha Yadav said that working here has raised their standard of living. She has started depositing money in her bank account.

Shanti Sahu said that with her earnings, she organized the wedding of her younger son and she could also better take care of her household expenses.

At Vrindavan Gauthan, Self Help Groups are various activities including papaya cultivation, fish farming and duck rearing besides a roadside eatery.

Nearly 55 quintals of    vermicompost have been produced from the cow dung procured by the Gauthan. Fruit trees have been planted on 10-and-a-half acres of land.