Assam self-help groups transform rural economy

Nagaon, Assam: Karuna Kalita was once an explosives expert with the terror group United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). But he got fed up with life in the jungles and surrendered in 2003. He opted for a new life by forming a self-help group (SHG).

The 36-year-old former rebel, who is a father of two, is today into mechanised farming, growing paddy in an acre of land, besides cultivating cabbage, mustard, and bhut jolokia - the hottest chilli on earth - at his native Dhing village in the central Assam district of Nagaon.

"I have 12 other members in my SHG and we are working hard. Last year we earned about Rs1 million," Kalita said before he jumped into his tractor and set off for work.

From former separatists to housewives to educated but unemployed youths, thousands of people in the northeastern state of Assam are pushing micro-enterprises into profitable business ventures, thereby turning around the region's rural economy.

There are more than 90,000 SHGs working in diverse fields in rural Assam - the whopping number being an indicator of the success of the central government-aided venture in working towards development and boosting the rural economy.