Udupi/M’Belle: Students from Pennsylvania University interact with self-help groups

By Eugene DSouza, Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 04 Jan 2015: A group of ten students from the prestigious American Pennsylvania University led by Dr. Femida Handy, their professor along with Prof. Vinod Dxit, professor in the Nitte University, the co-ordinator of the group visited Moodubelle and interacted with the members of Navodaya Self Help Groups (SHG) Federation at Geeta Mandir near Belle Panchayat Office on Sunday, 4 January 2014 during the meeting of the self help group at 11 am.

 

According to Prof. Vinod Dixit, the ten students group is on a ten days visit to the twin districts of Mangalore and Udupi to make a study on the micro-financing in rural areas and empowerment of women. They have selected some distinguished self-help groups for their interaction and study.

 

The group of students along with Dr. Femida Handy and Prof. Vinod Dixit were warmly welcomed by the office bearers of the Navodaya Self Help Groups Federation and Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society. In a unique way, the programme was inaugurated by the guests and dignitaries by pouring handful of rice in the ‘sher’.

 

 

Charles Quadros, President of the Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society welcomed the group of students and Dr. Femida Handy and explained the work done by the various self-help groups.

 

Under the umbrella of Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society there are 102 Self Help Groups with a total membership of 1,542. Out of  the 102 SHGs 94  are women’s groups with 1,304 members and 8 are men’s groups with 238 members.   Total savings of these groups is Rs.1,32,55,650/- Individaul loan amounts to Rs. 5,87,13,500/- and Bank loans amounts to Rs. 3,36,15,000/-

 

Speaking at this occasion, Dr. Femida Handy expressed happiness that a large number of members of various SHGs were present for the meeting which is generally held once in three months. She also lauded the achievements of the SHGs.

 

Harischandra Acharya-President of the Navodaya Self Help Groups Federation, Rajendra Shetty-President of Belle Grama Panchayat, Charles Quadros-President of Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society, Shivaji Suvarna-former President of Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society, Chandrashekar-Coordinator of South Kanara District Central Cooperative Society, Geeta-Coordinator of Navodaya Self Help Group, Mrs. Helen D’Souza-Vice President of Navodaya Self Help Group, Narayan Sanil-Manager of Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society and  Board of Directors of Belle Agricultural Cooperative Society were present.