Indians' savings can help overcome recession: Oscar

35,985 SHGs of Navodaya Grama Vikasa Trust have saved `98 cr

MP and Chairman of Parliament Standing Committee for Human Resources Oscar Fernandes said that India could overcome economic recession with the help of savings of people.

Speaking after distributing uniforms to the members of Self-Help Grpups organised by Navodaya Grama Vikasa Charitable Trust here on Friday, he said that there is 35 per cent savings in the country unlike Western countries. When the western countries were affected with economic recession, India was not affected.

“Self-Help Groups play a vital role in empowering women. It was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi who had dreamt of empowerment of women through Panchayat Raj system. Accordingly, 33 per cent reservation was announced in the Gram Panchayat. Now, this has been increased to 50 per cent. In fact, women promptly repay the loan borrowed from the banks,” he said and added that the SHGs have given women a platform to develop their personality and leadership quality in them.

“Education is the strength of the district. The Centre has implemented RTE Act, to impart quality education to all the children aged between 6 and 14,” he said and called upon the SHG members to educate their wards.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that women have strength hidden in them. There is a need to give a platform for them to showcase their strength.

In his presidential address, Navodaya Grama Vikasa Charitable Trust  Managing Trustee and SCDCC Bank Chairman M N Rjaendra Kumar said that SHGs have made men to overcome their bad habits. There will be no discrimination, when all the members come together under one platform wearing the same uniform.

The programme was inaugurated by five women from Self Help Groups belonging to different religion by lighting the lamp. The uniforms were distributed to 12 women SHGs and four men SHGs.

Navodaya Grama Vikasa Charitable Trust has constituted 35,985 Self Help Groups with 2,54,144 members. About 75 per cent of the members are women. The savings of the SHGs is Rs 98 crore. The SHGs have been constituted in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shimoga and Dharwad districts.

Entrepreneur Rohan Monteiro, SCDCC Bank directors and others were present.