As part of DEP, BIRDS organized Dalits of Nakkaladinne into DS, in 2003. Dalits of the village participated actively in all the motivational meetings and trainings organized by BIRDS.

When Dalits were approached for burying dead body of a high caste person, they demanded suitable cash payment, in return of their service. Reacting violently to the just demand of Dalits, the higher castes attacked houses of Dalits, resulting in running away of all Dalit youths from the village. High caste people then caught hold of old Dalits and made them do the job under age-old norms.

The next day, with facilitation of Rudravaram DS, Dalits of Nakkaladinne registered a criminal case against the attacking high caste people. Responding positively, the Sub Inspector of Police (SI) and Divisional Superintendent of Police (DSP) took initiative to talk to higher caste people and Dalits were permitted to enter the village again.

When another death of higher caste person occurred in April 2004, Dalits went to the Police Station and explained the SI and DSP about their demand for cash payment for services. Police summoned the higher caste people of the village to Rudravaram PS and explained about the legal implications of the practice and advised them to fix reasonable cash payment norm in the village. Having no other option, the higher caste leaders agreed to the suggestion and fixed cash payment for services of Dalits.

Since then, Dalits of Nakkaladinne were paid an amount of INR 1200/- for burying the dead human and INR 500/- for carrying away the dead animal. This change of practice can be seen as a great achievement of Dalits of Nakkaladinne as they could wipe out the evil practice, prevalent since time immemorial.

Jeevitha Pataalu Nerpina Polambadi

In Muthaluru village, Rudravaram Mandal, Kurnool district, there lived a farmer named Sankar Reddy.  BIRDS staff is working since a year in this village.  He is measuring water levels twice a month in his observation well.  The major crop in this village is Chillies, incurring high external inputs.  After identifying this situation, BIRDS staff started Farmers Field School with 25 members to reduce external inputs as well as Groundwater Management by using traditional methods of botanical extracts (various kinds of leaves, neem seed kernels) available in the village, less application of fertilizers & pesticides and increased use of rotten leaves, vermicompost & FYM (organic manures).  These selected farmers (25) visited Sankar Reddy’s field once a week to know about the factors influencing pest / disease attack like climate, weeds, etc.

BIRDS staff suggested the farmer to use sprinklers up to flowering stage & later for alternate furrow irrigation.  But Sankar Reddy & others FFS farmers said that sufficient water is available in his bore well for irrigation & sprinkler method need to be practiced by those who are having water at lower depths.  So, by telling that less yield may come through sprinkler system, they have gone for traditional method of irrigation (furrow irrigation).  After 4 months, due to break in water availability in Sankar Reddy’s bore well, plants wilted leading to dropping of leaves and flowers.  He & his associates (25 members) decided to remove chilli crop. In FFS sessions, BIRDS staff convinced the farmer to go for sprinkler irrigation at this stage which leads to new flower & bud formation.  Later alternate furrow irrigation was done.  The crop which was thought gone dried was recovered soon and yielded around 14,400 Kg. of Chillies.  After knowing the need of sprinkler irrigation to chillies & other crops, the farmers approached agricultural officer of Rudravaram Mandal and applied for subsidy towards sprinkler irrigation.

she forced to learn the tailoring work under her husband’s guidance, as her husband’s

income was not sufficient to maintain the family. Thus, she became a tailor. But, they feel that one tailoring machine is not adequate for them for their family expenses.

At this stage, in 2002, Smt. SK.Fathima Bee, came to know about the BIRDS-MFS. She made a ten members group and borrowed loans from BIRDS-MFS. She utilized this loan amount of Rs.5000/- for purchasing a Stitching Machine, thus they developed their business and saved some amount. She was very prompt in repayment of MFS loan.

After clear off the first loan, again she has taken IInd loan of Rs. 7500/- for this amount she purchased a “Zigzag” Sewing Machine. Thus, they are earning  more profits.

Again in 2004 , she has taken IIIrd loan of Rs. 10000/- from BIRDS-MFS with this amount she purchased another new sewing machine and she developed their business and getting more profits.

Due to their earnings, they conducted their daughter marriage without any financial troubles. Thus, Smt. SK.Fathima Bee, maintaining her family in a smooth manner and           a luxury life by borrowing loans forms BIRDS-MFS. She expressed her fully satisfaction regarding BIRDS, due to BIRDS loans, they developed their business and leading a nice living. Her living standard is also developed.

She is a model woman for other women group members, she expressed her sincere thanks to BIRDS MFS and wishes BIRDS to continue this type loan facility to poor women and for their financial development and keep respects in the society.

At this juncture, they came to know regarding BIRDS and its activities. Thus Smt. Hazara Khathu, made a group consisting of 10 members near by her surrounding and borrowing Rs. 5000/- as first loan without mortgaging any thing that too lesser interest than previous money lender. Thus, she cleared the loan amount and applied for IInd loan. She has been again paid Rs. 7500/- as IInd loan including her group members. So, she developed her business and saving some money and paying weekly repayment regularly. Thus, she developed her fruits business and selling other type of fruits and getting benefits.

After clearance of IInd loan to BIRDS–MFS, she and her group members were given Rs. 10000/- as IIIrd loan. Now, she saved a lot of money, she purchased 2 Cents of site also.

After clearance of IIIrd loan she has taken Rs. 12500/- as IVth loan and started “Sarees Business” apart from fruits business. A rapid development was formed in her business along with the other group members, they are very happy in lending money, from BIRDS-MFS. She is proudly expressing her satisfaction in development of her live, she is very grateful for the MFS.

She wishes that this type of finance help must be propagated to other women also.

She thanked one and all of BIRDS-MFS for their help.

money lenders with higher rate of interest.

At this critical stage, she came to know about the BIRDS-MFS, thus, she made a group consisting 10 members and taken loans from with lesser rate of interest with the loan of Rs. 5000/- she began the beedi making business independently by purchasing leaves and Tobacco, thus she is benefited and got profits than previous days. Thus, she is repaying the loan amount @ Rs. 130/- Per Week and getting profits and she maintaining the entire family.

After completing the first loan, she has again taken IInd loan of Rs.7500/- among this amount she has used Rs. 2500/- for her daily work of beedi making, the remaining amount of Rs. 5000/- given to her husband for another business of Silver, thus both are doing business and got profits and paying loan amounts regularly and utilizing amounts to family expenses. They saved some amount with their business, they done the marriage for their first daughter.

Smt. Gouse Bee, expressed her full satisfaction by taking loans from BIRDS-MFS, and is very happy that rate of interest is very less than other financiers, and the BIRDS is covering   their lives with LIC. Paying scholarships to the school going children. She expressed her happiness about BIRDS loans and efforts of the poor women are benefited, she wished that the BIRES-MFS should develop for the poor women.

She expressed her thanks to the BIRDS-MFS and to the concerned Staff.

broken in accident, he stopped for going for driving duty as usual.

At this critical condition she came to know about the BIRDS-MFS and their loan giving systems, hence, she made a group consisting 10 members in her are and titled as Bismillah (SHG) and requested the MFS to lend money. Thus she has taken Rs. 5000/- as loan including her group members. Then, she started a petty shop and earning Rs. 300/- to Rs 500/- per day on this business and maintaining her entire family without any trouble.
Due to her profits on petty shop she was paying loan installments promptly.

After same weeks, she has taken Rs.7500/- as IInd loan, with this amount she started selling  “Dosas” and she was getting Rs.600/- per day. She helped her husband in purchasing an “Auto” also.

She expressed her views that due to BIRDS-MFS loans, she is leading a better life and saving some amounts and supporting entire family expenses she admitted her daughter in J.B. Public School is U.K.G.

She also expressed her happy it she taken IIIrd loan of Rs. 10000/- she wife be happy and all her family troubles were be settled. She wished the BIRDS-MFS, to continue rate and will help the poor.

She requires more motivation on the women health came in future.