Samrudha Kudumbam Project, an initiative of Nilgiris Development Society in collaboration with Biowin Agro Research, under Catholic Diocese of Mananthavady, is designed to provide financial assistance to economically disadvantaged women in society, empowering them to engage in income-generating activities. By offering periodical and sustainable financial support, the project aims to uplift women who are economically weak but work as a backbone of a family. This project enables them to become self-reliant and improve their economic status.
The total beneficiaries of this project is 25 women who are selected from Bospara, Manvayal, Vimalagiri, Gudalur, Dharmagiri, Periyasholai and Kayyunni area of Gudalur and Pandalur Taluks of Nilgiris District of Tamilnadu. The beneficiaries are women who are economically weak and who are not having sustainable livelihood of permanent jobs. More than they are the backbone of the family and children are studying in school and colleges. All the women were selected according to the criteria given by the supporting agency, Biowin Agro Research.
First Installment of Financial Support
The first installment of this project, an amount of Rs. 18000/- was disbursed on 08th June 2024. A meeting was conducted at Nilgiris Development Society, Gudalur. This meeting was presided over by Fr. Binoy K Sebastian, Director, NDs who explained about this project in detail and narrated the objectives and purpose of this project. He also emphasized on the importance of Income Generation Activities (IGP) which will help them in raising the living standard of the beneficiaries. In this meeting the first installment amount cheque was distributed to the beneficiaries.
IGP ACtiviteis Implemented
The beneficiaries of Samrudha Kudumbam Phase – 2, used the first installment amount for different Income Generation Programmes. NDS Ass. Director Fr. Anup Varghese Kollamkunnel and Project Co-Ordinator Joshy T P personally visited the beneficiaries and inspected the IGP Activities they have implemented through this project. The main IGP activities implemented are :
- Tailoring
- Goat Rearing
- Mushroom Cultivation
- Poultry
- Banana Cultivation
- Soap and Detergent Making
- Tea Estate for Lease
Evaluation Meeting and Second Installment Cheque Distribution
Project Evaluation of the last six months activities and Second installment Cheque Distribution meeting of Samrudhakudumbam Phase II was conducted at NDS Office on 28.04.2025, 11 am to 1.00 pm under the presidency of Fr. Binoy K Sebastian, Director, NDS. Out of 25, 23 beneficiaries of this project were present at the meeting. Two member could not attend the meeting because they were at hospitals. The meeting started with a prayer, followed by welcome speech by NDS Co-Ordinator Joshy T P. Fr. Binoy K Sebastian explained about the project in detail and told that everybody should take over small scale income generation activities and expand the borders of their present activities. Also he explained the scope of marketing SIGWE, the new venture of Biowin in the organic brand of curry masala.
The Samrudha Kudumbam project beneficiaries introduced themselves and explained the major activities they have done during the last 6 months. They all unanimously agreed that the project helped all of them to find new ways of earning and uplift their standard of living. After that the second installment Cheque (Rs. 17000 each) was distributed to the beneficiaries.
