This is a woman who only three years ago became involved as a leader in her community, quickly transitioning from SHG member to service provider, from service provider to board member, and from board member to president of the SMCPCL(Samriddhi Mahila Crop Producer Company Limited) . If one assumed that this quick transition from her earlier life meant it was an easy transition, they would be profoundly incorrect. Savitri Bai grew up near Kota, and completed her tenth standard education there. She is 29, with two young sons aged 2 and 7. She moved to Loharpura in Bundi district for marriage and initially felt ostracized, as she was the most educated woman in a village that saw no need for women to be learned. She was accustomed to living in town, and was unfamiliar with local dress and customs. Each of these challenges would be difficult in their own right, but Savitri Bai not only overcame them all, but became a role model in her community and a force for change throughout the district.

For Savitri Bai, change began when SRIJAN introduced Women’s Self Help Groups to her village. Savitri Bai became involved in a newly formed group, taking a leadership position. It was difficult for many women to see the benefits of SHGs, and the initial response from them was far from positive. However, Savitri persevered, and the Loharpura SHGs became some of the strongest in the area. Recognized for her success, Savitri began assisting to form SHGs in other areas, and joined SRIJAN as one of their first women service providers. Her leadership and responsible attitude was quickly recognized, and she became involved in the newly created SMCPCL. She was elected as the first president of their board of directors.

Taking on these new roles included many personal challenges. With little support for her young family, Savitri Bai had to manage her traditional roles as housewife with her new job as a service provider. Initially, her husband was very wary of her going to other places. However, he supported her cautiously, accompanying her to travel to other cities such as Jaipur. These days he has also become a SRIJAN service provider, and comfortable with the organization and Savitri’s role, he sees no issue with allowing her to travel alone.

Entering the business world was itself a monumental challenge. Facing fears of public speaking and coping with next to no business experience, Savitri was initially intimidated by government officials, potential business partners, and complex bureaucratic procedures. However, despite threats and misinformation, from some government officials and other actors, she rose to the occasion, and today deals with them on an equal footing.

It is women like Savitri Bai who will form the future of the SMCPCL, who will provide the backbone of emerging social institutions, and who will inspire young girls across rural India to look beyond their traditional roles in the village. Savitri Bai shows the benefits of women’s education, and stands as a prime example of how women can become leaders in the community.

Savitri Bai presents the Samriddhi Mahila Crop Producer Company (SMCPCL) to the D. K. Jain, Additional Secretary of Agriculture to the Government of India. She is using Microsoft PowerPoint, comfortable with the technology and changing slides with ease. Her voice does not waver. Her posture is upright. She answers questions assertively, with no hint of uncertainty in her voice.

She also interacted with Bihar CM Shri Nitish Kumar during Bihar Innovation Forum in Jan. 2014.

In Nov. 2014 she fearlessly addressed the crowd of around 1,000 intellectual people in India Habitat Centre, New Delhi during the Civil Society Hall of Fame Event.