In Bihar, India, hope
is found where you least expect it. Behind a closed door where 10 to 25
women have come together to discuss their most urgent needs. Unheard of a
generation ago, this gathering is a mahila mandal – better known in this
country as a women’s group.
Life for women and girls in Bihar is especially
grim as they face a system called Purdah that is almost as oppressive and
restrictive as the Taliban era in Afghanistan. Women are required to cover
themselves in public and cannot travel without their husbands’ permission. The
harsh realities are reflected in the almost 90 percent illiteracy rate among
women and the fact that 88 percent of girls marry before the age of
17.
Mahila mandals, with the aid of international
organizations and donor support, are beginning to help though. One of the
positive changes will be setting up savings and credit groups in which loans
are approved and administered by and for local women. Having access to a
loan as small as $50 can completely transform a woman’s life in Bihar. Even a
small amount of money can provide her the means to purchase raw materials that
can be turned into finished products for sale, including seeds to grow crops,
or an animal that produces milk, cheese or eggs that are marketable.
This year, there will be 100 new mahila mandals
or women’s savings and credit groups formed in Bihar. It is anticipated that the
capital saved by the 5,100 group members will increase from $21,000 to $40,000
this year. More than 90 percent of that amount will be revolved as loans among
the members. The value of this community-controlled asset is especially amazing
when you realize the average annual income in this area is just over $400 a
year.
Support from individuals in the United States
can help transform the lives of women in this region and offer hope to them for
a safer, more secure future.
I am a travel writer and regional storyteller dedicated to documenting the culture, heritage, daily life, and travel experiences of Bihar. Through Mera Apna Bihar, I share local insights, real travel stories, and on-ground experiences that highlight the true spirit of Bihar for readers, travelers, and culture enthusiasts.
In addition to regional storytelling, I curate travel narratives and destination experiences through HolidayLandmark Stories, where journeys, city moments, and authentic travel experiences are documented in a story-driven format:
I also manage a growing network of city-focused travel platforms where I regularly publish daily travel logs capturing real-time journeys, local discoveries, and everyday experiences across India:
- Bangalore Orbit – Daily Logs
- Bhopal Orbit – Daily Logs
- Chennai Orbit – Daily Logs
- Gujarat Orbit – Daily Logs
- Kerala Orbit – Daily Logs
- Mera Apna Bihar – Daily Logs
- Mumbai Orbit – Daily Logs
For readers seeking deeper insights, curated content, and structured travel information, I also publish city blogs and destination guides across multiple platforms:
- Bangalore Orbit – Blog
- Bhopal Orbit – Blog
- Chennai Orbit – Blog
- Gujarat Orbit – Blog
- Kerala Orbit – Blog
- Mera Apna Bihar
- Mumbai Orbit – Blog
Through this interconnected network, my goal is to preserve regional stories, promote local culture, and provide authentic travel information that reflects the real experiences of people and places across Bihar and India.
