Woman : thy name is generosity....MSRLM SHGs contributing to Bharat ke Veer Fund

Woman : thy name is generosity....
MSRLM SHGs contributing to Bharat ke Veer Fund

Two decades ago in school we learnt a Hindi poem, " Choti Choti Jal Ki boondein Sagar ko bhar deti Hain, Baalu ki rujj nanhi nanhi sudhar bhumi rach deti hain...".
This poem was a tribute to every small contribution made by the smallest particle on this earth which leads to a bigger world. This Maxim became a true life experience for me when at the call of the Honorable Minister for Rural Development of Maharashtra, Ms.Pankaja Munde, we set out to contribute voluntarily to the noble cause of Bharat ke Veer.
The recent terrorist attack at Pulwama led to the creation of Bharat ke Veer, a fundraising initiative by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. This allows donation upto Rs.15 lakhs from an individual to the Bharat ke Veer Corpus.
An appeal was made to all our officials and staff members to voluntarily and generously contribute to the Bharat ke Veer fund.
This information as an appeal was also communicated to all members of the SHGs, VOs and CLFs of Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission, MSRLM Umed with the request to donate voluntarily as per their mite.
The response we received within 24 hours from the remotest villages from all over the state was phenomenal. Over 3500 cheques amounting to Rs.58 lakhs were received only to reflect the generosity of the poorest.
Handing over this amount to the Hon'ble Hon'ble Minister Ms. Pankaja Munde and from her to the Hon'ble Chief Minister and renowned actor, Akshay Kumar was a befitting tribute to the cause.
MSRLM works for the empowerment of
women through self help groups. Social and financial inclusion leading to sustainable livelihoods is the most important aspect of this program which ensures that the poorest of the poor are included in it.
The women in these self help groups work for a transparent, accountable, sensitive rural society.They had certainly set an example by donating to the cause through the cheques they sent. The stupendous response to the request made by the Hon'ble Minister to contribute voluntarily to the cause, matching it with their generosity speaks words of their stature, their mental strength.
On their way to overcome their own poverty or even out of it, they were connected so strongly with patriotism towards the country that all the  SHGs didnt hesitate to donate generously for the noble cause.
As Hon'ble Minister, Ms. Pankaja Munde, handed over the cheques to the Hon'ble Chief Minister and renowned actor, Mr. Akshay Kumar, I felt reverent to every single woman from the SHGs of MSRLM Umed who had made this possible. Truly every small effort leads to the larger goal.
My head could only bow in gratitude.