Many years ago in Baribeda Village, the community was struggling to increase their sources of income. They were confused about how to earn a livelihood and had very limited opportunities for employment. Because of these challenges, our Transformational Community Development (TCD) committee started an awareness program to guide villagers in understanding their needs and identifying local income-generating opportunities. Among these villagers was a man named Rajesh, who faced serious difficulties in his daily work. He had to take his paddy on a bicycle to a faraway market for milling because there was no paddy-milling machine in his village or nearby areas. The long distance made the process exhausting, time-consuming, and costly.

After listening to our TCD Committee’s guidance, Rajesh understood that instead of traveling far, he could solve this problem locally. He decided to purchase a second-hand mini paddy milling machine and installed it in his own village. He started the work on a small scale at his home. This change marked a new beginning for him. The Committee encouraged him to continue the work, explaining that it would support his own livelihood and also be beneficial for other villagers. They also assured him of guidance and support whenever needed.

Today, Rajesh continues to run the mini paddy milling machine successfully. People from his village and nearby areas now bring their paddy to him for milling. Although it is a small business, it has become an important source of income for him. He earns up to ₹400 ($4.50) per day during the season, and his monthly income is around ₹7,000 ($77). This small initiative has improved his financial condition and made him self-reliant while also serving the needs of the community.

Thank you,

Written by Anil, GHNI TCD Worker