Story link: http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/sieve/article/shgs-to-fight-militants

There are close to 30 million women in India benefiting by membership in Self Help Groups [SHG]. But that’s no longer news. It’s clear SHGs are improving the lot of the poor. But a story filed from Assam by Nava Thakuria, talks of a visible connection between prosperity and peace.

There are over 100,000 SHGs in Assam. Many of its members were sympathisers of pro-Independence militants but that support is now waning thanks to the success of SHGs. Men seek to marry women who are members of SHGs to assure stable family incomes. Takuria writes: “militant cadres do not dare put a ban on SHG activities for fear of a popular uprising against them”. Full story