In Joyshree Para, a quiet village in Tripura, the story of Namita Das is showing how empowerment can begin with the smallest of steps—a notebook, a pair of chickens, and an insurance policy. What may appear modest to some has become the foundation of a mother’s dream to secure her children’s education and her family’s future.

Namita lives in a six‑member household with her husband, a daily wage labourer, her elderly mother‑in‑law Moyna Bala Das, and three school‑going children. With irregular income and constant financial strain, even basic needs like books and stationery for her children were often difficult to afford.

Under the TR‑SAY Project of the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM), Moina Bala was initially identified for intervention. But due to age and health concerns, she could not attend meetings. Namita stepped forward, first as a representative, then as an active participant in Small Group Meetings (SGMs). Over time, she began listening, speaking, and eventually believing in her own ability to make decisions for her family.

With guidance from the Parivartan Sakhi, Namita reactivated her dormant bank account and received Rs 1,500 in Community Support Group (CSG) assistance. She carefully planned its use: Rs 500 for insurance, enrolling in PMJJBY and PMSBY, securing her family against unforeseen risks. Rs 600 for books and stationery, ensuring her children could attend school with dignity. Rs 400 to buy two chickens, marking the start of a small income‑generating activity.

For Namita, every rupee carried purpose. She invested in security, education, and livelihood, transforming support into opportunity. “Now my children will also be able to go to school with good books and stationery,” she said, her words reflecting both relief and pride.

Today, Namita attends meetings with confidence, actively participates in discussions, and is preparing her own livelihood plan. What began as a small intervention has sparked a larger transformation—she is no longer just managing hardship but learning to plan, decide, and build a better tomorrow.

Her journey illustrates the power of women’s empowerment through SHGs and the impact of community‑based livelihood projects. It shows that change does not always arrive with grand gestures; sometimes it begins with a notebook, a few pens, and a mother’s determination to give her children a better life.