**Summary:**
The Ministry of Rural Development's Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), in collaboration with the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), conducted a regional workshop in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from July 22-23, 2025. The workshop, titled "Sangathan, Swasthya, Samriddhi: Women Collectives in Action on Food, Nutrition, Health & WASH (FNHW)," aimed to strengthen Self-Help Group (SHG)-led interventions in FNHW, facilitate cross-learning among states, and foster partnerships with line departments and development agencies.
The workshop saw participation from senior officials, FNHW state in-charges, and community cadres from 14 states/UTs: Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Key discussion points included the role of SHGs in grassroots transformation, the need for increased investment in FNHW with a preventive approach, sustained efforts and convergence, region-specific training for high-burden areas, and integrated strategies linking health with livelihoods to tackle multidimensional poverty. A Health and Poshan Toolkit developed by Madhya Pradesh was launched. Panel discussions focused on women's empowerment, poverty alleviation through community-led action, and the effectiveness of FNHW interventions. Challenges were identified, including the need for real-time monitoring systems, capacity building for community institutions, and skilled staff. A session on elderly care highlighted the need for community-led models to address the needs of India's aging rural population.
Dignitaries present included Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Minister of Rural Development, Jharkhand; Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary, MoRD; Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD; Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD; Shri K. Srinivasan, Secretary, RDD, Jharkhand; Shri Ananya Mittal, CEO, Jharkhand SRLM; and Smt. Harshika Singh, CEO, Madhya Pradesh SRLM.
Key Entities Referenced
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission: A national program under the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, focused on promoting self-employment and poverty reduction through self-help groups.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for rural development programs and initiatives.
Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society: The state-level organization in Jharkhand implementing rural livelihoods programs, in collaboration with the national mission.
Ranchi, Jharkhand: The city in Jharkhand where the regional workshop was held.
Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh: Minister of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states whose SRLM (State Rural Livelihoods Mission) participated in the workshop, and the state that developed the Health and Poshan Toolkit launched at the event.
Uttar Pradesh: One of the states whose nodal officers participated in panel discussion in the workshop.
HelpAge India: An organization that presented a community-led pyramid model for elderly care at the workshop, addressing the needs of India's aging rural population.
Ministry of Rural Development
DAY– NRLM organises two-day regional workshop in
Ranchi to strengthen SHG-led Food, Nutrition,
Health, and WASH efforts
Posted On: 25 JUL 2025 5:16PM by PIB Delhi
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural
Development, Government of India, in collaboration with Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society
(JSLPS), hosted a two-day Regional Workshop on “Sangathan, Swasthya, Samriddhi: Women Collective’s
nd rd
Action on Food, Nutrition, Health & WASH (FNHW)” from 22 to 23 July 2025, in Ranchi. The workshop
focused on strengthening SHG-led FNHW interventions and cross-learning among states and fostering
partnerships with line departments and development agencies.
The workshop was graced by Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Rural Development,
Jharkhand,Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary, MoRD, Smt. Smriti Sharan, Joint Secretary, MoRD, Dr.
Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, Shri K. Srinivasan, Secretary, RDD, Jharkhand, Shri Ananya Mittal, CEO,
Jharkhand SRLM and Smt. Harshika Singh, CEO, Madhya Pradesh SRLM. Senior officials, FNHW state in-
charges and community cadres from 14States/ UTs namely Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh Bihar, Chhattisgarh,
Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh participated in the workshop.
On the first day, field visit was organized where community cadre demonstrated key FNHW interventions
including planning process, peer learning, community monitoring and interactions with federation leaders,
community cadres, block officials and frontline workers of line departments.
The second day featured an inaugural session. Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Minister
of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand, stated that health is wealth and a single health issue derails
a household’s financial stability. She applauded the role of SHG women and stressed the need to prioritise
mental wellness along with other health and wellness issues.
Shri N.N. Sinha, former Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, delivered the keynote address and stressed
that SHGs' can play a catalytic role in driving grassroots transformation and called for an increased
investment in FNHW and urged to adopt a preventive approach for better health outcomes and productivity.
Smt. Smriti Sharan appreciated the efforts of SRLMs and dedication of community cadre, and highlighted the
need for sustained efforts, greater convergence and focus on development of immersion sites.
Shri K. Srinivasan, Secretary, RDD, Jharkhand, emphasised that building a Viksit Bharat must begin with
Viksit Districts, Viksit Villages and Viksit Families, Dr. Monika, Deputy Secretary, MoRD, Government of
India shared the national perspective, progress and roadmap for FNHW. Smt. Harshika Singh, CEO, Madhya
Pradesh SRLM highlighted the need for region-specific training and targeted approach for high burden areas,
Shri Ananya Mittal highlighted Jharkhand’s integrated FNHW strategy, linking health with livelihoods to
tackle multidimensional poverty. A Health and Poshan Toolkit developed by Madhya Pradeshwas also
launched at the workshop.
Two panel discussions explored how health, nutrition, and community-led action are central to women’s
empowerment and poverty alleviation. Senior officers from Department of Women and Child Development
and Panchayati Raj, Jharkhand shared their experiences of working with SHGs and recognized their role in
sensitization and mobilization of the community. In the second panel discussion, state nodal officers from
Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Gujarat emphasized that FNHW interventions are effective in
addressing multidimensionalpoverty. They also shared challenges and identified the need forstrengtheningsystem for real time monitoring, capacity building of community institutions, skilled staff for
achieving the desired outcomes.
The Community Resource Persons shared their inspiring experiences and journey of transforming their and
others members’ life leading to visible improvements and demonstrating the impact of women-led action at
the grassroots. A session on elderly care highlighted India's rapidly aging rural population and the urgent need
for addressing the emerging situation. HelpAge India presented a community-led pyramid model using
Elderly SHGs, mobile health units, and telemedicine to ensure age-specific, dignified care and inclusion.
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RC/KSR/AR
(Release ID: 2148434)