IGNOU MSDP-18 Project – Self Help Groups under SGSY Programme in Hailakandi, Assam

India is the world’s largest practicing democracy. India has a land frontier of 15,200 kms and supports 16% of the world’s population. India is predominantly rural. Villages in India constitute the backbone of the country. There are 5, 87,226 inhabited villages spread in 5,886 Community Development Blocks. About two thirds of the population lives in the rural areas and more than 70% of them are poor. Inadequate rural infrastructure, insufficient marketing facilities, poor health and educational facilities and poor living conditions characterize the villages in India. Gandhiji, long back, said: “India lives in villages and villages constitute the very heart of India”.

Objectives

• To study the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of members of Self Help Groups under the SGSY programme.
• To assess the social, economic, political and psychological benefits accruing to beneficiaries of SHGs
• To identify the factors influencing people’s participation in self-help programmes and to suggest suitable strategies for ensuring their full participation.

Topic Covered

• Introduction
• Review of Related Literature
• Research Methodology
• Analysis and Interpretations
• Conclusions and Suggestions
• Bibliography
• Appendix
• Questionnaire