self help: Self-help groups turn four, celebrate

Staff Reporter Officials said savings of the Kalanjiams now stood at Rs.50 lakh with a common fund of Rs.12 lakh. TAMBARAM: Women's self-help groups belonging to the Dhan Foundation of Kancheepuram district at Maraimalai Nagar celebrated four years of operations with a procession and a mammoth meeting on Wednesday. The celebrations were held to commemorate four years of operation of these groups, known as Kalanjiams. The Dhan Foundation initiated the Kalanjiam programme in 2002 in Kattankulathur and Kunrathur Panchayat Unions of Kancheepuram district and today it covers 53 villages in 32 panchayats with about 3,250 members. Officials of the foundation said the savings of the Kalanjiams now stood at Rs. 50 lakh with a common fund of Rs. 12 lakh. Nationalised banks had loaned the women Rs. 92 lakh. Of the 202 groups, 160 had formed a federation called `Kanchi vattaara kalanjiam' that was formally inaugurated during the function. The formation of the groups had improved the quality of life of people belonging to the marginalised sections. With the savings and loans from financial institutions, the women were able to contribute significantly to the income of their families, speakers said.