Munger, August 29: Babita Devi, a resident of Bajrangbali Nagar in the Nawagadhi South Panchayat of Munger district, Bihar, has become a symbol of self-reliance and determination. Once worried about her family’s limited income and growing responsibilities, Babita transformed her family’s financial situation by joining a Livelihood Self-Help Group and elevating her dairy business to new heights.
Babita is a member of the Vishnu Livelihood Self-Help Group, the Prem Livelihood Women’s Village Organization, and the Vishwas Livelihood Women’s Cluster Union. She has four daughters, and as family responsibilities increased, their income remained constrained. At times, they had to rely on daily wages, which made it challenging to cover household expenses, children’s education, and other necessities. During this period, Babita joined the Livelihood Self-Help Group.
In group meetings, she witnessed women becoming self-reliant through small businesses. Regular savings, discussions during meetings, and access to loans instilled confidence in her to pursue something new. Inspired by the success stories of other women, Babita discussed starting a self-employment venture with her husband, Sanjeev Thakur. Considering the good availability of milk in nearby villages and its demand in Munger city, they decided to enter the dairy business.
Babita took a loan of 50,000 rupees from her self-help group and began sourcing milk from local farmers and suppliers to supply it to Munger city. Initially, they purchased milk at about 37 rupees per liter from farmers and livestock owners, selling it to large retailers and renowned sweet shops in the city for approximately 50 rupees per liter. This allowed them to earn a profit of around 13 rupees per liter.
What began as a small venture gradually expanded. Timely deliveries, quality products, and building trust with customers helped grow the business. Today, Babita and her husband buy and sell about 250 liters of milk daily, earning a profit of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 rupees each day. Their annual income has now exceeded 10 lakh rupees.
This economic transformation has significantly impacted their family’s life. As a mother of four daughters, Babita can now invest better in her children’s education, nutrition, and health. Alongside fulfilling family needs, she is also planning for savings and business expansion for the future. Her financial independence has enhanced her self-confidence and social respect.
Today, other women in the village are inspired by her journey and are motivated to join self-help groups and pursue self-employment. With the support of Livelihood, Babita has now earned the title of ‘Lakshmi Didi.’
Her story illustrates that significant resources are not always necessary for change. The right direction, strong will, family support, and timely institutional assistance can transform the lives of ordinary families. Babita turned her struggles into opportunities and has become an inspiration for both her family and the women in her village.
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