Self Help Groups in Eastern India

The term 'Self Help' has very individualist connotation and use to describe people whom we might today call entrepreneurs. The critical factor that he identified in their success, however, was not their individualism but their willingness to help themselves rather than waiting for others to help. The concept of Self Help Groups gained significance, especially after 1976 when Prof. Mohammed Yunus of Bangladesh began experimenting with micro-credit and women SHGs. Communication provides a continuous learning situation in which members of SHG can develop better understanding for application of new knowledge and innovation of scientific technology in fullest way. As SHG is a group approach, therefore, a study must be done to know how group dynamics is influencing social and economic activities. Empowerment of women has now become a key issue in the Government's Five-Year Plans-by organizing women into Self-Help-Groups to make the beginning of a major process of empowering women. Therefore, in this book Self Help Groups were highlighted with special emphasis on information communication behavior, group dynamics and women empowerment.