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When women in her area hesitated to approach banks or manage financial records, Shilparani Biradar chose to step forwardβnot just as a bookkeeper, but as a facilitator and guide.
Based in Madunar village, Kamalnagar block, Bidar district, Karnataka, Shilparani is a farmer, tailor, kirana shop owner, homemaker, and Main Book Keeper (MBK). Over the past three years under the NRLM-Sanjivini initiative, she has worked closely with women to build confidence around savings, credit, and collective financial management.
Her experience working with NRLM and local institutions has helped mobilise more women to adopt resilient farming practices in their villages, strengthening both income security and agricultural sustainability.
She currently supports 35 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), each with around 10 women farmers. Through consistent handholding and mobilisation, nearly 300 women farmers are now actively linked to SHGs. What began as small savings groups have grown into structured platforms for accessing institutional finance and strengthening livelihoods.
Shilparani has facilitated βΉ2 lakh financial support per SHG, enabling women to invest in agriculture and micro-enterprises. For many, this meant expanding cultivation, purchasing inputs on time, or strengthening small businesses. She also connected 30 women farmers to life insurance coverage through SBI, ensuring that income gains were matched with financial protection.
As an SHG president and MBK, she emphasises accuracy, transparency, and regular meetings. Her strength lies in patiently explaining processes, maintaining discipline in bookkeeping, and encouraging women to participate confidently in decisions affecting their livelihoods.
Her efforts were recognised with the Best Book Keeper award under NRLM-Sanjivini in 2023. In 2024, she strengthened her knowledge further by attending a five-day literacy workshop at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bidar, and received certification from Rahita Sampark Kendra for mobilising women into SHGs and facilitating loans.
Through steady leadership and practical support, Shilparani is demonstrating how strong women-led institutions can translate directly into stronger livelihoods for families and communities.
Swayam Shikshan Prayog
18 February, 2026