The magic of Collective Action

              The group members had taken one acre of land on lease for arranged from the group for six months by drawing lots. A fixed portion of the produce was to be handed over to the group for common benefit. The balance went to the individual beneficiary. Encouraged by the outcome, the group has taken another 1/2 acre plot on lease in April'97. The land is being let out to the group beneficiaries by drawing lots and in turn. The group is so successful that the loan recovery rate at the Indian Bank branch at Pudur has been a consistent 100%.

Respect for an aged mother               

The group members were good enough to restore an aged mother, Karuppai, back to her home after the death of her husband, when her two married daughters disowned her and threw her out. For two years who lived on the pavements with no one to help. But for the SHG's intervention, she would have been leading a nomad's life. Thanks to the group members, she is now living in her husband's house with her school going third daughter.

               Lo and behold the power of greed,
               Separates a poor mother from her kin indeed:

               In loth for gaining family property,
               The daughters drove out mother in unity.

               But the good woman members of SHG,
               Would tolerate not this atrocity.

               They spoke to the daughters not to disgrace,
               Reinstating the mother in her rightful place.

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